2024 Impact Report
Dear Friends and Supporters,
We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support and commitment to our state through the North Carolina Community Foundation.
Together, we are making a significant impact on countless lives across our state. In 2024, NCCF’s philanthropic network distributed more than $26 million to support education, housing, food insecurity, the environment, arts, health, and other vital areas that strengthen communities.
In the fall, we activated our NCCF Disaster Relief Fund to support long-term recovery from Hurricane Helene. Grants from the fund are being made to nonprofits to help our western region rebuild and be better prepared for future disasters. We are thankful to everyone who contributed to this fund and will share more about its impact in the coming months.
Together, we are strengthening our communities, a theme you’ll see across our annual Impact Report.
The report showcases the incredible work and dedication of our donors, fundholders and community partners. You will find stories of generosity in action, highlighting the profound impact we make together. These stories exemplify the boundless potential of philanthropy.
As we look to the future, we remain steadfast in our commitment to our values of community, partnership, and stewardship.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to strengthening our communities.
With gratitude,
 |  |
| Katharine “Kack” Harrison Hardin Chair, 2024 Board of Directors | Jennifer Tolle Whiteside, President & CEO |
Generosity in Action
Disaster Relief After Hurricane Helene
At NCCF, we remain heartbroken about the loss of life and devastation in western North Carolina from Hurricane Helene in September.
But the NCCF team, our fundholders and our network were determined to support western NC by activating the NCCF Disaster Relief Fund.
The fund supports eligible charitable organizations or government entities addressing long-term recovery. In 2024, the NCCF Disaster Relief Fund received $28.5 million in contributions. Grantmaking from the fund began in 2025 and will continue over the coming years.
In addition to the Disaster Relief Fund, NCCF provided other methods of support for western NC communities.
Scholarships
NCCF partners with donors to administer scholarship funds for students across the state. All of our scholarship opportunities are established through specific funds created at NCCF with criteria determined by the donor. More than 350 students received scholarships in 2024.
Scholarships in 2024
What We Value
Our values serve as a guidepost in our work. They are grounded in our founding vision of supporting rural philanthropy. They are reflective of our mission. And they are aspirational in guiding us on what our work can and should be. Together, we are strengthening our communities today and for generations to come.
Community
- Our affiliates are our roots in communities, with advisory boards made up of community leaders. They understand local challenges and opportunities and make grants to address them.
- In 2024, our affiliates enhanced board recruitment to better reflect their communities.
- Our affiliates and giving circles hosted local gatherings to connect nonprofits, fundholders and others.
Partnership
- In 2024, we improved our grant and scholarship applications based on feedback from nonprofits and students.
- Our long-standing partnerships with professional advisors allow us to work with donors to strengthen communities.
- Our Hurricane Helene response reflects the strength that comes when we build trust and prioritize collaboration.
- Our Community Needs Assessments guide our philanthropic network on the most pressing needs in our communities.
Stewardship
- Prudent investment stewardship is vital for building long-term charitable assets that benefit our communities.
- Our disciplined and balanced investment strategy, managed by professional asset managers, ensures the long-term returns needed to achieve our collective philanthropic goals. This enables our endowed funds to grow and make annual grants forever.
We are grateful for the trust you place in us. We will continue to honor that trust in support of our mission: to inspire North Carolinians to make lasting and meaningful contributions to their communities.
Read NCCF’s 2024 Impact Report