The board of advisors of the Johnston County Community Foundation is accepting nominations for the Frances Finch Hobart Award for Volunteer Community Service.

The nomination form is now available, and nominations will be accepted through Sept. 8.

The award is presented annually to someone from Johnston County who has demonstrated a commitment to service resulting in a stronger community. Award recipients help others solve social problems by giving their time, talent and energy; meet community needs through volunteering and mobilizing other volunteers; and demonstrate vision, selflessness and generosity. The recipient of the award designates a local nonprofit organization to receive a $2,510 grant.

The Frances Finch Hobart Award for Volunteer Community Service was established at the North Carolina Community Foundation in 2006 by John Hobart, a former Johnston County Community Foundation advisory board member, in honor of his wife, Mrs. Frances “Frankie” Finch Hobart (pictured above at right, with 2025 award recipient Cindy Brookshire).

Mrs. Hobart, a retired Johnston County Public Schools teacher and administrator, was a longtime community leader and volunteer in Smithfield and Johnston County, an artist, art teacher, and champion of the arts, community service and education. Hobart passed away on July 26 at the age of 94.

Previous recipients include Cindy Brookshire, Tammy Holt, Donna Bailey-Taylor, Dr. Carolyn Ennis, Anita Liverman, Anesha Johnson, Norwood Williams, Tom Ricks, Nikki Dyke, Evelyn Aranda, Don Stephenson, Cornell Cox, Sarah Yard, Linwood Byrd, Noela Woodall, Ramona Cash and Jeanelle McCain.

The 2026 winner will be selected by the JCCF board and announced in October.

In addition to this award, JCCF annually accepts applications for its community grantmaking program. Eligible charitable organizations may apply for grants now through noon on Aug. 10. To learn more, visit: nccommunityfoundation.org/Johnston.

About the Johnston County Community Foundation
Founded in 1992, JCCF works to increase philanthropic giving and establish endowments in the community. JCCF is part of the North Carolina Community Foundation network and is led by a local volunteer advisory board that understands community needs. Board members include LaShawndra White (president), Rick Childrey (vice president), Lorine Davis (secretary), Emery Ashley, Kevin Barnes, Kenneth Bennett, Don Boyette, Gwen Canady, Felita Carr, Suefan Johnson, Tim Matthews, Jeanelle McCain, Teresa McDonald and Nathalia Parrish and Alicia Whitehurst.

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. More than $360 million has been awarded as grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students, creating stronger communities for generations to come.