(April 2026) – The McDowell Endowment has awarded thirteen grants totaling $56,950 to local nonprofit organizations. In partnership with The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC), The McDowell Endowment has awarded grants totaling $1,460,936.
“Supporting local nonprofits is key to helping our community address the needs of our friends and neighbors,” said Advisory Board Chair Ryan Kelley. “These grants are funded from a charitable endowment that has been built over time by contributions from people who care about McDowell County. They address food insecurity, legal aid for low-income residents, case management for people experiencing homelessness, the needs of public schools, and much more. Demand for services remains high, and we are honored to partner with these effective organizations.”
The 2026 grants are:
$5,000 to Black Mountain Counseling Center to support its Client Assistance Program.
$5,000 to Feed The People to provide nutritious food, hot meals, and mobile outreach connecting families to essential resources.
$5,000 to Grace Community Church of McDowell County to support a Healthy Cooking Class initiative for its food pantry clients.
$5,000 to Legal Aid of North Carolina to support free civil legal services for low-income residents facing issues with housing stability, safety, and access to basic needs.
$5,000 to Live Like Megan Foundation to strengthen its Kinship Care Program serving children and families.
$2,950 to McDowell Arts Council Association to provide instruction to public elementary-school students through its outreach program, crescendo! Piano in the Classroom.
$5,000 to McDowell County Emergency Medical Services to purchase an enclosed shelter preparation trailer to expand its emergency shelter readiness.
$1,500 to McDowell County Government/North Carolina Cooperative Extension to support food costs for its 4H Expanded Food and Nutrition Education youth development program.
$5,000 to McDowell County Schools to offset tuition, fees, and required instructional materials for high school students.
$5,000 to Mission Ministries Alliance to implement a comprehensive workforce development program supporting individuals experiencing homelessness.
$5,000 to New HOPE of McDowell to provide supportive case management services for low-income individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
$5,000 to Pisgah Legal Services to provide free civil legal assistance and advocacy to low-income survivors of domestic violence and child abuse.
$2,500 to Rotary Club of Marion Foundation to support two community service projects.
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: Chair Ryan Kelley, Vice Chair Vicki Burton, Secretary Kim Effler, Jim Burgin, Nakia Carson, Simeon R. Cross, Courtney Morris Gardner, Ann Harkey, Elizabeth House, Steve Jones, Hope Murdock, 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.
For more information about The McDowell Endowment, contact Chair Ryan Kelley at ryankeithkelley@gmail.com or 828-460-9239.