Bill and Peggy Britt Foundation Donated $10 Million
The Chapel Hill town council approved a $10 million gift to fund local park facilities and greenway extensions.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The Bill & Peggy Britt Foundation has donated $10 million to the Town of Chapel Hill. Officials will utilize the funds to develop community infrastructure, including new park facilities and trail projects.
Why it matters
The donation supports the town's ongoing vision for a Complete Community, providing significant financial backing for public recreation and connectivity projects. It honors the legacy of Bill and Peggy Britt, who were local residents for over four decades.
The $10 million gift includes $5.8 million earmarked for the Bill and Peggy Britt Building at Cedar Falls Park and $4.2 million for two greenway extensions. The Britts operated an Amway business for over forty years.
The players
Bill and Peggy Britt
The donors were long-time residents of Chapel Hill who operated an Amway business for over forty years.
Town of Chapel Hill
This local government body is the recipient of the foundation's $10 million donation and is responsible for managing the upcoming park and greenway projects.
The details
The Town of Chapel Hill plans to construct an indoor pavilion at Cedar Falls Park using the majority of the foundation's contribution. Additionally, the $4.2 million allocation will fund the expansion of the Campus Recreation Trail and the Pritchard Branch Trail.
Timeline
Bill Britt died in 2013.
Peggy Britt died in 2024.
The Chapel Hill town council officially approved the gift and facility naming on September 23, 2026.
Market Landscape
This private donation functions as a massive capital injection into municipal infrastructure, following the trend of public-private partnerships to fund urban development. It positions these new facilities as central assets in the ongoing expansion of the town's recreation network.
Residents can expect the development of an indoor pavilion at Cedar Falls Park and two new greenway extensions in the coming years. These projects will provide the community with expanded recreational space and improved trail connectivity.
The takeaway
Large-scale philanthropic gifts remain a vital tool for municipalities to bypass budget constraints for public projects. Residents should monitor town council meetings for updates on construction timelines for the new park facilities.
Further reading
Learn more about local community investment initiatives in the Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chapelboro.
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