 John D. Hollingsworth, Jr.
John D. Hollingsworth, Jr. was an astute textile executive and real estate investor who owned and operated a international fiber-processing machinery and textile carding business from his Greenville County headquarters. Mr. Hollingsworth was a very private person whose charitable gifts were made quietly and anonymously during his lifetime. Only after his death in 2000 did the Greenville community learn of his magnificent charitable legacy and interests.
Mr. Hollingsworth left the bulk of his estate, valued at approximately $290 million, to his foundation, Hollingsworth Funds, Inc. Under provisions of trust documents and his will, approximately 45% of the annual income distributions are designated for Furman University, 10% to the YMCA of Greenville and 45% to public charities (501(c)(3) organizations) operating within Greenville County, South Carolina, as selected each year by the Directors of Hollingworth Funds. The Community Foundation of Greenville is one of the public charities specifically named as a beneficiary.
From the year 2001 through 2009, total grants to beneficiaries totaled $22,724,210, of which $9,165,812 went to various public charities in Greenville County.
Mr. Irvine T. (Buck) Welling was hired by John D. Hollingsworth in 1964 and helped him craft his charitable legacy. Buck Welling served as the first Chairman and President of Hollingsworth Funds, Inc. from 2001 until January 2010 when he assumed the role of Chairman Emeritus and Historian. Mr. Welling has written an essay about his personal and professional relationship with Mr. Hollingsworth : John D. Hollingsworth, Jr. and My Experiences Working with Him.
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