Greetings,

The William Pal & Gertrude Wilson Barnes, Fred Douglas Ellis & Dorothy Lee Pender Educational Foundation (named in honor of both my adoptive and biological parents), was founded as an organization that reflects (and advances) my profound gratitude for the sacrifices they made to ensure that I got the best education possible. They were uncompromising in their belief that education would afford me a path to build a future that would be filled with untold possibilities. Having grown up before and during the era of Jim Crow, they knew firsthand, the value of obtaining a good education. As I heard the stories of their childhood, I became keenly aware of the fact that I had been afforded opportunities that I dare not waste or take for granted. As I matriculated from one institution to another, I vowed that I would one day establish scholarships at each of the post-secondary institutions from which I had graduated.

To that end, the Foundation (formally established as a nonprofit corporation by the NC Department of the Secretary of State and designated federal tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3) organization), has endowed a scholarship at each of the following educational institutions: Wilson Community College (Wilson, NC) Shaw University (Raleigh, NC) & Duke University's Divinity School (Durham, NC). Students who receive the award must meet the following criteria:

Essay; Financial Need; Academic Achievement/Transcript

Resume/Community Involvement/Leadership Skills

Recommendations; Interview

As we began the process of securing these endowments (in August of 2021), we met with Shaw University’s Director of Donor Relations/Strategic Partnerships, Melodie Carter (on August 26 to be exact), who offered the Foundation the opportunity to receive matching funds totaling $25,000 if we could raise $25,000 (the amount Shaw requires for endowments), by September 30. So, on August 27 we launched out on faith. As it turned out (with the generosity of so many individuals and organizations), we met the challenge and presented the University (on September 29), with a check for $25,000! It is an honor to state that the Barnes, Ellis & Pender Endowed Scholarship at Shaw University is now worth $50,000!

On March 30, 2023 after raising $10,000--the amount the Community College requires to endow a scholarship--the Barnes, Ellis & Pender Endowed Scholarship at Wilson Community College was established.

On September 16, 2025, we confirmed the remaining $65,000 (of the $100,000 Duke requires to establish an endowed scholarship), in the form of a Legacy Gift that officially establishes the Barnes, Ellis & Pender Endowed Scholarship at Duke Divinity School.

On October 2, 2025, we established the Barnes, Ellis & Pender Endowed Scholarship at North Carolina A&T State University--in the form of a Legacy Gift in the amount of $25,000--to recognize my daughters Maurissa Imani Barnes and Jimesha Zawadi Barnes as graduates of this institution. Maurissa graduated May 14, 2022, with a degree in Nursing and Jimesha graduated May 11, 2024, with a degree in Marketing. The Barnes, Ellis & Pender Endowed Scholarship at North Carolina A&T State University (after the initial award), will be awarded alternately between an undergraduate in the College of Health & Human Sciences and the College of Business & Economics.

On March 16, 2026, we established the Barnes, Ellis & Pender Endowed Scholarship at Sallie B. Howard School of Arts & Science—in the form of a Legacy Gift in the amount of $10,000—to recognize the tremendous influence the school’s namesake, the late Mrs. Sallie Baldwin Townsend Howard, had upon my life. The Barnes, Ellis & Pender Endowed Scholarship at Sallie B. Howard School of Arts & Science at be awarded to graduates who plan to pursue their post-secondary education and/or to students who are selected for the School’s study abroad program.

Choosing to create scholarships at these institutions underscores the importance of having a diverse array of educational options from which students can pursue their ambitions.

The Foundation supports educational endeavors at other institutions and organizations at the local, state and national levels. We invite you to contribute as we stand ready, willing and able to collaborate with all who are committed to the kind of work that promotes educational excellence.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me at [email redacted]

With Sincere Gratitude,

Rev. Harry Maurice Barnes

Chief Executive Officer

Barnes, Ellis & Pender Educational Foundation

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Legal Information

Legal Name:

WP & GW BARNES-FD ELLIS & DL PENDER EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

The effective date of exemption:

July 30, 2021

IRS Code:

501(c)(3)

Mission:

To provide scholarships to students who attend post-secondary institutions.

Chief Executive Officer:

Rev. Harry Maurice Barnes [email redacted]

Mailing Address:

6164 NC Hwy 58 South

Stantonsburg, NC 27883

Donation to the Barnes, Ellis & Pender Educational Foundation

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Thank you for supporting the Foundation. Your generous donation, in any amount, will allow students to have a diverse array of options as they pursue their ambitions.

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Name (contact person)

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Address

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Please choose your donation/institution from the categories below:

Please choose your donation from the categories below:

Company/Business/Corporation Individual Donations

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Platinum $5,000 $1,000

Gold $3,500 $500

Silver $2,500 $250

Bronze $1,000 $100

Other $_______ $50

$25

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Total Amount Donated $____________

Please make your contribution payable to the Barnes, Ellis & Pender Educational Foundation and mail it to:

Barnes, Ellis & Pender Educational Foundation

6164 NC Hwy 58 South

Stantonsburg, NC 27883

or

You can go online to our GoFundMe page at Barnes, Ellis & Pender Educational Foundation II and make your contribution there.

The Barnes, Ellis & Pender Educational Foundation is dependent upon the generosity of corporations, foundations and individuals for 100% of our funding. Your ongoing generosity and support will enable students to achieve educational excellence in their chosen field of study.