(April 2025) – The Transylvania Endowment awarded nineteen grants totaling $98,690 to nonprofits serving Transylvania County in its recent grant cycle. The Transylvania Endowment, in partnership with The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC), has awarded grants totaling $1,434,735.
“Supporting local nonprofits is more important than ever following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene,” said Advisory Board Chair Beth Lastinger. “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 invested for long-term support, helped make this year’s grants possible.”
The 2025 grants are:
$4,500 to Augustine Literacy Project-Brevard to purchase a new curriculum created by an accredited Orton-Gillingham Fellow, tailored to meet the unique needs of tutors and students.
$1,200 to Aura Home Women Vets to prevent homelessness among women veterans in Transylvania County through direct financial assistance, outreach, and transportation support.
$2,245 to Bound for Glory Camp to purchase whiteboard interactive learning tables and ergonomic student chairs for its tutoring center.
$6,000 to Bread of Life to address food insecurity through meals and food boxes.
$3,000 to Children's Cancer Partners of the Carolinas to provide support for transportation, lodging, meals, and other needs for children receiving cancer treatment and their families.
$7,000 to Children's Center of Transylvania County for operating support to maintain consistent, high-quality services.
$4,000 to The Cindy Platt Boys and Girls Club of Transylvania County toward staff expenses for the Club’s 2025 Summer Program.
$7,000 to Family Place of Transylvania County to support its Children and Family Programs, which provide free, research-based programs and opportunities for young children and their caregivers.
$7,000 to Green River Preserve to cover transportation costs and subsidize the K.A.L.E program for Title 1 schools and other youth organizations.
$2,245 to The Haven of Transylvania County to support administrative operations.
$7,000 to Hunger Coalition of Transylvania County to strengthen its two food security initiatives, weekly fresh food distribution and the family meal-kit program.
$5,250 to Isaac Homes Youth Shelter to assist with opening its new, larger facility in Rosman.
$7,000 to Mountain Roots to enhance educational enrichment services for the 2025-2026 school year with Transylvania County public schools.
$7,000 to Muddy Sneakers to support 5th-grade outdoor science instruction and learning for teachers and students.
$7,000 to Pisgah Legal Services to provide free civil legal assistance to, and advocacy for, low-income Transylvania County survivors of domestic violence and child abuse.
$5,000 to Rise and Shine to support its after-school program.
$6,000 to Transylvania Christian Ministry to provide financial assistance for medical prescriptions and doctor visits for under- or uninsured clients.
$5,250 to Transylvania County Schools Educational Foundation to provide school supplies to teachers in Transylvania County schools.
$5,000 to Transylvania Habitat for Humanity to support its long-term recovery program addressing the housing crisis exacerbated by Hurricane Helene.
In 1998, local people 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 in Transylvania 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 “Transylvania Endowment” in the memo line. Contributions of any size are welcome.
In addition to the Endowment, the following CFWNC funds support grantmaking in Transylvania County: Aleen Steinberg Endowment Fund, Bobby Orr Memorial Fund for Transylvania County Sheriff’s Department, Burlingame Charitable Fund, Connie Boylan Fund, Duncan-Bicknell Endowment Fund, Holbrook-Nichols Transylvania Housing Assistance Fund, Karen Wilde Memorial Fund for Brevard Police Department, Lake Toxaway Charities Endowment Fund, My Brother's Keeper Fund, Richard G. Adamson Memorial Fund, and Tim and Wanda Barrett Transylvania Growth Fund.
The local volunteer advisory board includes: Nick Bearden (Vice Chair), Beth Lastinger (Chair), Rob Lee (Secretary), Caroline McKenzie, Chuck Megown, Jason Ramsey, Nancee Salyer, Mark Shevory, John Shoemaker, Bruce A. Snyder, Mark Visk, and Paul Welch.
For more information about the Transylvania Endowment, please contact Advisory Board Chair Beth Lastinger at blastinger@gmail.com.