Wayland L. Jenkins Jr. Endowment

Wayland L. Jenkins Jr. was born in 1931 and graduated from Aulander High School in Bertie County and Wake Forest College. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 and was stationed in Germany. After his discharge, he returned home to work in family businesses. When his father passed away, Jenkins and his brother, Joe Henry, took over several car dealerships and formed Jenkins Investments. 

Jenkins helped organize and fund NCCF’s Bertie-Hertford affiliate in 1999. His founding gift and leadership were crucial to its success.

Jenkins passed away in 2024 at the age of 92. He believed in the impact that long-term philanthropy can have on a community and placed his trust in NCCF and our Bertie-Hertford affiliate to steward the endowment and take care of the community. 

Read more about Jenkins. 

Throughout 2025, NCCF and BHCF worked with community members in Bertie and Hertford counties to learn more about strengths, needs and opportunities that the Jenkins fund could support. More than 200 people provided feedback through two community listening sessions. Two focus group sessions were held to dive deeper into issues with community organizations and partners.

Results of the listening sessions, focus groups and additional research are available in a community report.

Download the report.

The Bertie-Hertford Community Foundation will accept grant applications from July 24, 2026, until noon eastern time on Aug. 25, 2026.

A virtual workshop for organizations interested in applying for grants will be held in July. Please check back for updates. The workshop will provide an overview of this grant program, share tips for grant proposals and answer questions about the application process. Grantseeker workshops are optional, and attendance has no impact on grant award decisions.

Two in-person workshops were held in May.