The Avery Community Foundation announced $10,830 in grants to organizations supporting the local community. 

The board of advisors granted $3,960 from its community grantmaking fund: 

• $945 to Avery County Schools Career & Technical Education (CTE) for SkillsUSA State Leadership Workshop at Camp Dixie 
• $500 to Mountain Alliance for Avery Teen Leadership Development and After-school Support Program 
• $500 to Prevent Blindness North Carolina for Star Pupils Avery County 
• $500 to Special Olympics North Carolina for Avery County Special Olympics 
• $500 to the Salvation Army of Hickory for Crisis Help Services 
• $1,015 to W.A.M.Y. Community Action for Food and Nutrition Program 

The board also granted $6,870 from the Dewey Wells Citizenship Fund: 

• $1,000 to Daughters of the Revolution – Crossnore for America 250 books 
• $1,670 to Mountain Alliance for teen leadership development and afterschool support 
• $1,500 to Cub Scout Pack 807 Kiwanis Club of Banner Elk for membership and uniform assistance 
• $1,200 to Scouts BSA Troop 4807 Kiwanis Club of Banner Elk for tent and backpacks 
• $1,500 to Scouts BSA Troop 807 Kiwans Club of Banner Elk for tent and backpacks 

The Dewey Wells Citizenship Fund supports the development of character and promotion of good citizenship in and among young people in Avery County. 

“Our community, and especially its youngest members, are better off because of these organizations,” said Justin Ray, advisory board president of the Avery Community Foundation. “We are proud to provide grants to support their work.” 

ACF is an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation and is led by a local volunteer advisory board. Each year, ACF uses dollars from its endowment funds to make grants to nonprofits that help the local community.  

Learn more about ACF and its work in the community or make a tax-deductible donation at nccommunityfoundation.org/Avery. For further information about ACF, contact the Western Community Leadership Officer.  

Avery Community Foundation Advisory Board Members 

Advisory board members live and work in Avery County, positioning them to strategically leverage resources, meet local needs and access opportunities. In addition to Ray, board members include Brian Whitfield (vice president), Gwen Clark (secretary), James Austin, Adam Martin, Scott Mathis, Barbara Roesner, James Swinkola, Jamey Thompson and John Thompson. 

About the North Carolina Community Foundation 

The North Carolina Community Foundation brings together generous people and connects them to causes and organizations they care about, with a focus on inspiring lasting and meaningful philanthropy in the state’s rural communities.  

With $400 million in assets, NCCF sustains over 1,200 endowments and partners with donors and a network of affiliates in 60 counties to strengthen our state. By stewarding and growing donors’ gifts, NCCF makes a powerful impact through a robust grants and scholarships program, awarding over $270 million since 1988.  

For more information, visit nccommunityfoundation.org. 

Media contact 

Hannah Hogewood, Marketing & Communications Manager 
hhogewood@nccommunityfoundation.org, 919-256-6901