The Macon County Community Foundation, a North Carolina Community Foundation affiliate, has announced $14,580 in grants and $105,505 in scholarship awards for 2026.

The board of advisors awarded $14,580 in grants to 18 organizations supporting the local community:

• $500 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina for activity boxes
• $500 to Blue Ridge Community Health Services for behavioral health support
• $500 to Blue Ridge Mountains Health Project, Inc., also known as Blue Ridge Free Dental Clinic, to ensure access to dental care in Macon County
• $500 to Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas for the Macon County Childhood Cancer Safety Net
• $1,280 to Community Care Clinic for Patient Education and Healthy Growth Opportunities
• $1,280 to Counseling and Psychotherapy Center of Highlands for client scholarships for outpatient services offered on a sliding-fee scale
• $750 to First Presbyterian Church of Franklin NC for Period Pantry
• $1,280 to the Gordon Center for Children for continuing education subscriptions
• $500 to HIGHTS for fuel for youth afterschool services
• $1,280 to Highlands Emergency Council for pantry support
• $1,280 to Macon County Care Network for hunger relief programs
• $500 to Macon TRACS, Inc. for TROT: Therapeutic Riding Over Trails
• $750 to the Marcus Harris Foundation for Neighborfood Express expansion
• $500 to Otto Community Development Org., Inc. for parking lot lighting
• $750 to Pisgah Legal Services for legal services for survivors of domestic violence and child abuse in Macon County
• $1,430 to REACH of Macon County for Client Essential Needs.
• $500 to Southern Samaritans Inc. for home repair projects
• $500 to Vecinos, Inc. Farmworker Health Program for health education and community engagement

Funds for 2026 grants came from the community grantmaking fund. Each year, the Macon County 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.

The board also announced $105,505 in new and renewed scholarships supporting Macon County students for the 2026-27 school year:

• Three new students and nine returning students received the George and Bonnie Siek Memorial Scholarship for a total of $17,325 awarded. This scholarship is renewable annually for up to five years.
• Five students received the Grayce Wills MacDonald and Ivan A. MacDonald Scholarship for a total of $88,180 awarded.

“Local nonprofits and organizations play a vital role in our community and we’re pleased to support them through our grants,” said Kevin Holland, advisory board president of the Macon County Community Foundation. “We’re also proud to help Macon County students achieve their educational goals through scholarships.”

Visit nccommunityfoundation.org/Macon to learn more about the Macon County Community Foundation and its work or to make a tax-deductible donation.

Macon County Community Foundation Advisory Board Members
Founded in 1991, the Macon County Community Foundation is led by a local volunteer advisory board that understands community needs. In addition to Holland, board members include Faviola Olvera (vice president), Josh Smith (secretary), Julie Adams, Bryson Burt, Russell Hawkins, Regina Lupoli, Bonnie Potts and Courtney Scarborough.

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.