The Clay County Community Foundation is a growing family of philanthropic funds, source of grants for local causes and partner for donors. CCCF was founded in 1992 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 Clay County.
Clay County Community Foundation
Officers
Henry Angelopulos
Board Members
Gail Criss
Jim Rich
Jodi Sullivan
Jim Tiger
The Clay 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 $4,560 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 Clay County Community Foundation awarded $4,560 to the following local nonprofit organizations from its community grantmaking fund:
- $560 to Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina for foster and cottage care support
- $1,200 to Four Square Community Action, Inc. for Hayesville Head Start safety improvement project
- $500 to HIGHTS for mediation services fuel
- $800 to Lilith Lidseen Performing Arts Association, Inc. for accessible restrooms
- $500 to North Carolina Symphony for music discovery for Clay County preschoolers
- $500 to Rock Bottom Recovery and Support, Inc. for general operating support
- $500 to Special Olympics North Carolina for Special Olympics North Carolina Clay County
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 Clay County Community Foundation awarded more than $4,000 to the following local nonprofit organizations from its community grantmaking fund:
- $750 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina for Igniting the Power of Clay County Youth
- $1,000 to Clay County Hearts for Kids & Seniors for Empowering the Vulnerable to Flourish
- $600 to Hawthorn Heights WNC Inc., for transportation
- $600 to HIGHTS for fuel for mediation services
- $500 to North Carolina Symphony for music discovery for Clay County preschoolers
- $840 to Special Olympics North Carolina for Clay County Special Olympics
2022 grants awarded
The Clay County Community Foundation awarded $3,880 through its community grants program to local nonprofit programs. Grant recipients were:
- $500 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina for Igniting the Power of Youth
- $780 to Hayesville First United Methodist Church for Hearts in Ministry
- $600 to HIGHTS for Fuel for Mediation services
- $1,000 to Nantahala Regional Library for Family Film Night
- $1,000 to People of Clay CARE (Coalition Allies for Recovery and Education) for People of Clay youth prevention leadership program
2021 grants awarded
The Clay County Community Foundation awarded more than $3,400 through its community grants program to local nonprofit organizations, including:
- $2,000 to St. Vincent de Paul-IHM Conference for general operating support
- $1,450 to People of Clay CARE – Coalition Allies for Recovery and Education for general operating support
2020 grants awarded
The Clay County Community Foundation awarded more than $3,300 through its community grants program to local nonprofit organizations, including:
- $1,000 to Special Olympics North Carolina for Special Olympics – Clay County
- $930 to Clay County Department of Social Services to support Clay County Hearts for Kids in response to COVID-19
- $930 to Reach of Clay County, Inc. to support relief in response to COVID-19
- $500 to North Carolina Symphony for Virtual Musical Education programs for Clay County students
2019 grants awarded
The Clay County Community Foundation awarded $2,300 through its community grants program to local nonprofit organizations, including:
- American Red Cross – Western North Carolina Chapter
- Mainspring Conservation Trust, Inc.
2018 grants awarded
The Clay County Community Foundation has awarded more than $1,900 through its community grants program to local nonprofit organizations, including:
- $1,300 to the Brasstown Community Civic Center
- $650 to the Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition
2017 grants awarded
The Clay County Community Foundation has awarded more than $1,000 through its community grants program to local nonprofit organizations. Recipients were:
- Brasstown Volunteer Fire Department
- Shooting Creek Volunteer Fire Department
- Warne Volunteer Fire Department
2016 grants awarded
The Clay County Community Foundation has awarded more than $1,000 through its community grants program to local nonprofit organizations. Recipients were:
- Clay County Historical & Arts Council
- Mainspring Conservation Trust, Inc.
2015 grants awarded
The Clay County Community Foundation has awarded $840 through its community grants program to a local nonprofit organization. Recipient were:
- Hinton Rural Life Center
2014 grants awarded
- Brasstown Community Civic Center
- Ledford’s Chapel United Methodist Church
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