(April 2019) – Twelve grants totaling $44,320 have been made to local nonprofit organizations by The McDowell Endowment bringing total grantmaking to $1,118,616. The Endowment is an affiliate fund of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC).
Brackett Town Farms was awarded $2,500 to repair and improve its petting farm focused on therapeutic support of people with special needs.
Camp Spring Creek Outreach was awarded $5,000 to offer a 50-hour Orton-Gillingham training plus year-long mentorship to three teachers at North Cove Elementary School.
Community Care of Western North Carolina was awarded $5,000 to support mobile health clinics through outreach, marketing, and materials.
Creek Wise Park was awarded $4,817 to help with park maintenance.
McDowell Agricultural Center was awarded $2,000 to help cover costs of registration and travel for youth attending a livestock judging camp hosted by Oklahoma State University.
McDowell County Government/Keep McDowell Beautiful was awarded $2,500 to support a community garden that provides produce to local people.
McDowell County Government/North Carolina Cooperative Extension was awarded $2,000 to purchase healthy snacks for schools and food for cooking and tasting demonstrations.
McDowell LFAC (Local Food Advisory Council) was awarded $5,000 to purchase shelving for storing donated food.
McDowell Technical Community College Foundation was awarded $5,000 to add equipment for a "makerspace" for the college's academic library.
Mercy Animal Rescue was awarded $5,000 for a community program that helps with pet food, outside housing for pets, and senior special needs pets.
Quilted Hugs was awarded $3,000 to purchase fabric, batting and thread to make lap-sized quilts for emotionally and physically distressed or abused children.
YMCA of Western North Carolina was awarded $2,503 to serve free nutritious meals to 16 adults whose children are receiving meals through another program for youth.
"Through the support of friends and neighbors, the Endowment has now been able to award more than $1 million to a wide variety of nonprofits and projects over the last 24 years," said Advisory Board Chair Ray McKesson. "We are very grateful to everyone who has helped to build a permanent charitable resource and to meet this milestone for McDowell County. We always welcome additional gifts that enable us to support more local programs with local dollars."
With goals to inspire philanthropy and strengthen charitable organizations in McDowell County, The McDowell Endowment was established by a group of local residents in 1995. The local, volunteer Advisory Board works to raise awareness of The McDowell Endowment and to build assets for the future. Current Advisory Board members are: Marion Baker, Vicki Burton, Becky Cross, Sim Cross, Marsh Dark, Juanita Doggett, Nancy Hunter, Michael Lavender, Ray McKesson (Chair), Rob Noyes, Jan Ramsey, Joy Shuford, Nancy Spencer and Bobbie Young.
The McDowell Endowment grows through tax-deductible contributions. To make a gift, donate online or by mail to The McDowell Endowment, P.O. Box 55, Marion, NC 28752-0055. Checks should be made out to CFWNC, noting McDowell Endowment in the memo line. Contributions of any size are welcome and will enable the Endowment to support more programs with local dollars.
In addition to the Endowment, the following CFWNC funds support grantmaking in McDowell County: Margaret Westmoreland Gibson Memorial Fund, Greenlee Family Fund, A.C. Hogan Family Fund and Daniel I. and Joy Q. Shuford Fund.