The Eastern Band of Cherokees Community Foundation, a North Carolina Community Foundation affiliate, has awarded $6,630 in grants to three organizations supporting the local community.

The board of advisors granted:

• $2,000 to Courage to Grow Food Forest for the Gadugi Veganic Food Forest and Agricultural Project
• $3,630 to Rolling Start NC Inc. for vehicles for those in need
• $1,000 to Snowbird Cherokees Tradition Corporation for Sounds of Our Ancestors: Cherokee Language Through Music

“Strong communities are built when people come together to support local organizations,” said Garrett Lane, advisory board president of the Eastern Band of Cherokees Community Foundation. “When donors come together, their giving can go further creating lasting community support that helps neighbors today and for generations to come.”

Funds for 2026 grants came from the community grantmaking fund. Each year, the Eastern Band of Cherokees Community Foundation’s advisory board uses dollars from its endowment fund to make grants to eligible local organizations, including nonprofits, local governments, schools and churches.

Visit nccommunityfoundation.org/EBCCF to learn more about the Eastern Band of Cherokees Community Foundation and its work or to make a tax-deductible donation.

Eastern Band of Cherokees Community Foundation Advisory Board Members
Founded in 1991, the Eastern Band of Cherokees Community Foundation is led by a local volunteer advisory board that understands community needs. In addition to Lane, board members include Lilyan Huskey (secretary), Myra Cloer, Mike Cooper, Trudy Crowe, Samantha Ferguson, Zane Huskey, Maggie Jackson, Evan Mathis and Carmen Nations.

About the North Carolina Community Foundation
The North Carolina Community Foundation transforms the collective generosity of our donors into a permanent source of community support, with a focus on the state’s rural areas.

NCCF partners with donors and a network of affiliates to sustain over 1,300 endowments totaling over $600 million in assets. Nearly $360 million has been awarded as grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students, creating stronger communities for generations to come.