The Cherokee County Community Foundation is a growing family of philanthropic funds, source of grants for local causes and partner for donors. CCCF was founded in 1991 and is led by a local volunteer advisory board that helps build community assets through the creation of permanent endowments, makes grants and leverages leadership – all for the benefit of Cherokee County.
Cherokee County Community Foundation
Officers
Carmen Lance
Ann Lukens
Board Members
Jeana Conley
Kathryn Jenkins
Kimberly Johnson
Kate Simmons
The Cherokee County Community Foundation will accept grant applications from July 25, 2025, to NOON eastern time on Aug. 26, 2025. Applications received after this deadline will not be accepted, including late submissions due to technology issues. Funds are available for qualified charitable organizations serving the local community.
Grants typically range from $500 to $1,000. In 2024, CCCF awarded $2,270 in grants through this competitive process. Learn more about past grant recipients.
Grants will be awarded from the community grantmaking fund.
How to apply
CCCF is an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation. Organizations must apply for grants using NCCF’s online application system.
- Read the guidelines before you apply. Failure to adhere to the guidelines will result in your application being declined. Applications that do not adhere to guidelines will be ineligible for funding.
- If this is your first time applying, follow the instructions in Training Module I to create a profile. If your organization already has an account, use your information to log in.
- Follow the instructions in Training Module II to add a grant application. Once registered, you can access more information about the application process.
More information
- In most cases, grant decisions are announced about two months after the close of the application cycle.
- One tool board members use to guide grant decisions is an annual community needs assessment. Scroll to the end of this page to review the Community Needs Assessment for this community.
- For answers to specific questions, contact the Program Officer.
Grants Awarded
The Cherokee County Community Foundation awarded $2,270 in grants to two organizations from its community grantmaking fund:
- $1,135 to Special Olympics North Carolina for Special Olympics Cherokee County- Equestrian
- $1,135 to Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina for Foster Care Support
In response to disruptions Hurricane Helene may have caused to their work, NCCF offered flexibility to 2024 grantees of western affiliate foundations to repurpose funding awarded for specific programs or projects to best support their current needs. The programs and projects listed reflect the original awards.
2023 grants awarded
The Cherokee County Community Foundation awarded more than $2,000 to the following local nonprofit organizations from its community grantmaking fund:
- $1,110 to the Craddock Center for Child and Family Enrichment for the Children’s Enrichment Program
- $1,110 to the High Lonesome Therapeutic Equestrian Center for general operating support
2022 grants awarded
The Cherokee County Community Foundation awarded more than $2,000 through its community grants program to a local nonprofit organization, including:
- $1,080 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina for its Harmful Substances Awareness Program
- $500 to HIGHTS for fuel for mediation services
- $500 to Hospice House Foundation of WNC for general operating expenses
2021 grants awarded
The Cherokee County Community Foundation awarded more than $2,200 through its community grants program to a local nonprofit organization, including:
- $1,000 to the Craddock Center for Child and Family Enrichment for Books to Children
- $750 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina for Re-igniting Youth Development
- $500 to North Carolina Symphony for North Carolina Symphony’s Virtual Interactive Stage for Cherokee County Students
2020 grants awarded
The Cherokee County Community Foundation awarded more than $1,000 through its community grants program to a local nonprofit organization, including:
- $500 to the Friends of Murphy Public Library for the Celebrating Diversity: Recognizing Contributions of Various Ethnic Groups program
- $500 to the North Carolina Symphony for virtual music education programs for Cherokee County students
- $760 to Serenity Family Services to support relief in response to COVID-19
2019 grants awarded
The Cherokee County Community Foundation awarded more than $1,600 through its community grants program to a local nonprofit organization, including:
- Mainspring Conservation Trust, Inc.
2018 grants awarded
The Cherokee County Community Foundation awarded more than $1,500 through its community grants program to a local nonprofit organization, including:
- $795 to Mountain Projects
- $795 to Prevent Blindness North Carolina
2017 grants awarded
The Cherokee County Community Foundation awarded more than $1,500 through its community grants program to a local nonprofit organization. Recipients were:
- Heritage Partners of Cherokee County
2016 grants awarded
The Cherokee County Community Foundation awarded more than $1,000 through its community grants program to a local nonprofit organization. Recipients were:
- Appalachian Angels of the 30th Judicial District, Inc.
2015 grants awarded
The Cherokee County Community Foundation awarded more than $1,200 through its community grants program to local nonprofit organizations. Recipients were:
- REACH of Cherokee County, Inc.
2014 grants awarded
- Misty Mountain Quilters Guild
- Valley River Arts Guild
Cherokee County News
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