(April 2023) The Rutherford County Endowment awarded thirteen grants totaling $89,500 to Rutherford County nonprofits in its recent grant cycle. The Endowment, in partnership with CFWNC, has awarded grants since inception totaling $1,750,863.
“Through the support of friends and neighbors, we are able to fund worthwhile projects and nonprofits doing good work across Rutherford County,” said Advisory Board Chair Judy Toney. “Permanent charitable resources devoted to our community mean that the Fund can be responsive as needs change over time. We are grateful to everyone who has pooled their gifts with those of their neighbors. It really is generosity multiplied. Please join me in supporting this most worthwhile project.”
The 2023 grants are:
$5,200 to Abounding Grace Ministry for a substance abuse program for court-involved women and girls.
$5,000 to Basics Christian Ministries to increase storage space for food and other necessities.
$2,500 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina for a mentoring program serving disadvantaged children.
$4,500 to Blue Ridge Hope to maintain the building and facilities used for its youth programs.
$10,000 to Grahamtown Team to help provide affordable homes for working families, repair assistance for homeowners, and to acquire abandoned properties for repair or building.
$8,000 to Out Of The Ashes to support its programs for homeless people.
$4,000 to Pisgah Legal Services to provide free civil legal services to low-income people.
$8,000 to Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity for maintenance of its ReStore.
$7,500 to Rutherford County Schools Education Foundation to provide kitchen tools and other resources that will help middle school students prepare meals at home.
$8,000 to Rutherford Housing Partnership to upgrade homes rented by low-income people.
$8,800 to Salem United Methodist Church/Washburn Community Outreach Center to provide fresh produce and hygiene products to low-income people.
$8,000 to The Source Outreach Center for food assistance to low-income families and for a youth enrichment program.
$10,000 to Yokefellow Service Center to provide necessities to low-income people in crisis.
In 1996, local residents established the Rutherford County Endowment as a permanent charitable endowment to meet local needs. Gifts added to the Fund’s principal are preserved and invested, while grants from the Fund support nonprofits in Rutherford County. To make a tax-deductible contribution, donate online or by mail to the Rutherford County Endowment, c/o CFWNC, 4 Vanderbilt Park Drive, Suite 300, Asheville, NC 28803, memo line: Rutherford County Endowment. Contributions of any size are welcome.
The local volunteer Advisory Board includes: Lucille Dalton, David Eaker (Vice Chair), Nancy Giles, Jean Gordon (Secretary), Jackie Hampton, Eddie Holland, Sally Lesher, Keven McCammon, Wilfred McDowell, Tom Miller, Jill Miracle, Pell Tanner, Judy Toney (Chair), and Michelle Yelton.