About the Kyle Foundation
The Kyle Foundation is a South Carolina private foundation established in 1984.
Herbert M. Kyle worked for the railroad and lived much of his adult life in South Carolina, while maintaining strong ties to the Cape Fear region of North Carolina, where he was raised. He and his wife, Pearl, believed strongly in responsible stewardship and service to others. They chose to establish a charitable foundation prior to their deaths, believing that philanthropy would provide lasting benefit to the communities that had shaped their lives.
The Foundation was formed with the guidance of trusted advisors and community members, including clergy and family representatives. The Kyles were devoted members of the Episcopal Church, and their values of faith, discipline, and quiet service continue to guide the Foundation’s work.
Since its formation, the Kyle Foundation has operated with a deliberate and measured approach to grantmaking, supporting nonprofit organizations whose missions align with the Foundation’s purpose.
The Kyle Foundation Logo
The Kyle Foundation logo incorporates the front door of the Kyle House which is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Owned by St. John’s Episcopal Church, the house was built in Greek revival style and is one of the oldest surviving residences in Fayetteville. The house is distinguished by its columned front porch, tall front windows and wrought-iron balustrade above the porch. The house features 16-foot ceilings downstairs and 12-foot ceilings upstairs. It has thick plaster walls which were originally filled with sand for insulation and fire safety. Another standout architectural feature is the six-pointed mother of pearl star inlaid into the base of the banister. Known as a “builder’s button,” this star indicated that the home was paid for when it was completed.
The house was built by prominent merchant James Kyle in the mid-1830’s, following the great Fayetteville fire which destroyed much of downtown Fayetteville in 1831. Mr. Kyle, the grandfather of Herbert Kyle, was an instrumental parishioner in St. John’s early history and he built his home beside the church to replace his previous residence on Market Square which had burned.
After the house was no longer used as a residence, it was bought by the City of Fayetteville in 1961 to house the mayor’s office and city administration offices. In 1991, however, the Kyle House was purchased by St. John’s from the City of Fayetteville.
In 2002, St. John’s incorporated the Kyle House into the parish campus and made major renovations with a new corridor to connect the parish hall to the rear of the Kyle House. The kitchen was renovated to make it into a modern serving kitchen. The church uses the house for many of the church functions. It features four main rooms downstairs, including a spacious dining room, with additional rooms upstairs. The upstairs rooms are used as classrooms and a bridal dressing room. Modern restroom facilities have been added to both floors.
Although the Kyle Foundation has no legal ownership of the Kyle House, we chose the front door as our logo to represent the longevity and strength of the Kyle family and the Kyle Foundation.