(April 2026) The Rutherford County Endowment awarded fifteen grants totaling $95,550 to Rutherford County nonprofits in its recent grant cycle. The Endowment, in partnership with The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC), has awarded grants since inception totaling $2,030,323.
“Supporting local nonprofits is key to helping our community address the needs of our friends and neighbors,” said Advisory Board Chair Michelle Yelton. “These grants bring our total grantmaking to more than $2 million, giving made possible over time by contributions from people who care about Rutherford County. The grants address food insecurity, rent and utility assistance, services for children in foster care, the needs of students, and more. Demand for services remains high, and we are honored to partner with these effective organizations.”
The 2026 grants are:
$7,000 to Basics Christian Ministries to cover the rising costs of food, transportation, and overhead expenses that support its food pantry.
$6,000 to Blue Ridge Community Health Services to purchase vision screeners for the Rutherford Health Center.
$5,000 to Blue Ridge Hope to support the Hopeworks afterschool program and expand its capacity to meet the rising needs of at-risk middle and high-school students.
$3,000 to Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas to ensure that childhood cancer patients can access lifesaving treatment and non-clinical family assistance.
$9,000 to Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach to provide financial support to clients who need help with rent and utility payments.
$6,000 to Hope Center of Rutherford County to purchase a used vehicle to provide transportation for women in its transitional housing and recovery programs.
$3,050 to Least of These Carolinas to provide new shoes and essential school supplies to children in foster and kinship care.
$7,000 to Maw-Maw’s Cheer Ministries to meet overhead expenses necessary to its work serving underprivileged children.
$7,000 to Mosaic Hope to support the construction of a trauma-informed, boutique-style CARE Closet to expand support for children in foster care.
$2,500 to New Beginning Soup Kitchen to purchase bulk food and supplies and cover miscellaneous operating expenses.
$6,000 to Pisgah Legal Services to provide free civil legal assistance and advocacy to low-income Rutherford County survivors of domestic violence and child abuse.
$7,000 to Rutherford Housing Partnership to support home repairs for low-income homeowners, helping preserve safe and affordable housing for vulnerable residents.
$9,000 to Salem United Methodist Church to support food and transportation costs at the Washburn Community Outreach Center’s food pantry.
$9,000 to Town of Rutherfordton to purchase a walk-in cooler for Ruff’ton Roots Community Garden to address critical needs that have emerged as the garden has expanded.
$9,000 to Yokefellow Service Center to support low‑income residents with rent and utility assistance.
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: Chair Michelle Yelton, Vice Chair Tommy Miller, Secretary Jean Gordon, David Eaker, Nancy Giles, Jackie Hampton, Eddie Holland, Marla Machado-Arce, Wilfred McDowell, Jill W. Miracle, Pell Tanner, Dennis Tarlton, and Robin Van Jura.
For more information about the Rutherford County Endowment, email michellemyelton@gmail.com or visit www.RutherfordCountyEndowment.org.