About Chanticleer Foundation
Our Founder
Mr. Michael Pruitt is the founder of Chanticleer Foundation, a donor advisor fund dedicated to making the world a better place while helping people optimize their donations to give more.
He is also the founder of Avenel Financial Group, President of Capstone Technologies Group which is a majority investor in DrivenIQ where he is also one of the company’s distinguished board members.
In 1999, Mr. Pruitt founded Avenel Financial Group which is a boutique investment banking firm concentrating on value-oriented investments. In 2005, he formed Amergent Hospitality Group Inc (formerly Chanticleer Holdings Inc.) and currently serves as the CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Amergent owns, operates and franchises fast casual and full-service restaurant brands.
In 2011, Mr. Pruitt became an Investor & Board Member of the board of Hooters of America, LLC which was sold in 2019 and was an early investor/board member in Appalachian Mountain Brewery which was sold to Craft Brew Alliance in 2018.
In October 2021, Capstone Technologies Group, Inc (OTC: CATG) a company that acquires, operates and organically develops disruptive technologies, acquired an initial minority interest in DrivenIQ. In August 2022, DrivenIQ raised $15 million in a Series A funding round backed by CATG, which invested additional capital to further accelerate DrivenIQ’s growth.
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Mr. Pruitt received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina, where he played on the 1982 and 1983 College World Series Baseball Teams. Today, he sits on the Board of Visitors of the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration, the Coastal Education Foundation Board (Endowment Investment Committee), and the Athletic Committee of the Board of Trustees.
In his free time, Mr. Pruitt enjoys golfing and spending time with his wife and three children.
ABOUT DONOR ADVISED FUNDS
Decide when to give, how much to give, and to which charity (or charities) your gift goes. You receive your tax deduction at the time of your charitable contribution, but grants to charity can be made over time. So you get the benefit of an immediate contribution (and tax-break) without having to rush the important process of deciding where your money goes. Plus, donors have the ability to give a variety of assets, including cash, mutual funds, appreciated securities and other illiquid assets, allowing the contribution to grow over time. It can be the difference between making a one-time gift and building a legacy.