(April 2025) – The McDowell Endowment awarded twelve grants totaling $55,970 to local nonprofit organizations in its recent grant cycle. The McDowell Endowment, in partnership with The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC), has awarded grants totaling $1,403,986.
“Supporting local nonprofits is more important than ever following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene,” said Advisory Board Chair Ryan Kelley. “The entire region was affected, and nonprofits joined other first responders on the front lines. As recovery progresses, these critical organizations continue to meet their missions and increased demand. Contributions from our friends and neighbors, both recently and over the years having been invested for long-term support, helped make this year’s grants possible.”
The 2025 grants are:
$5,000 to Black Mountain Counseling Center to provide mental health and community support services.
$3,500 to CareReach for a substance addiction program.
$4,000 to Children's Cancer Partners of the Carolinas to provide cancer treatment for children and youth from low-income families.
$5,000 to Foothills Community School to support extracurricular activities for students.
$5,000 to McDowell Arts Council Association to teach piano to public elementary school students.
$9,000 to McDowell County Emergency Medical Services to support long-term recovery efforts for people affected by Hurricane Helene.
$6,160 to McDowell Technical Community College Foundation to establish an equipment and supply loaner program for students in the cosmetology and welding programs.
$5,000 to Mission Ministries Alliance to help people find stable housing.
$5,000 to Pisgah Legal Services to provide free civil legal assistance to, and advocacy for, low-income survivors of domestic violence and child abuse.
$2,810 to Recovery Ventures Corporation for repairing the creek streambanks that run along the perimeter of the men's facility.
$500 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte for a family to stay at the Ronald McDonald House for three nights.
$5,000 to SOS Group to purchase a heavy-duty trailer to haul equipment and building materials that will benefit homeowners affected by Hurricane Helene.
In 1995, local residents established the Endowment as a permanent charitable fund to meet local needs. Gifts added to the Endowment’s principal are preserved and invested, while grants from the Endowment support nonprofits serving McDowell County. To make a tax-deductible contribution, donate online or by mail c/o CFWNC, 4 Vanderbilt Park Drive, Suite 300, Asheville NC 28803. Make checks payable to CFWNC, noting “The McDowell Endowment” in the memo line. Contributions of any size are welcome.
The local, volunteer Advisory Board includes: Jim Burgin, Vicki Burton (Vice Chair), Nakia Carson, Simeon R. Cross, Marsh Dark, Kim Effler (Secretary), Courtney Morris Gardner, Steve Jones, Ryan Kelley (Chair), Rob Noyes, Sharon Parker, Arthur Parks, and Sandra Precoma.
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.
CFWNC works with families, businesses and nonprofits to strengthen communities through the creation of charitable funds and strategic grantmaking. A permanent charitable resource, the Foundation manages over 1,300 funds and has facilitated more than $387 million in philanthropy since its founding in 1978.
For more information about The McDowell Endowment, contact Chair Ryan Kelley at ryankeithkelley@gmail.com or 828-460-9239.