The Macon County Community Foundation, a North Carolina Community Foundation affiliate, has awarded $14,950 in grants to organizations supporting the local community.

The board of advisors voted on and awarded the following grants in early September:  

• $1,000 to 828 VETS for outsourced nonprofit accountant 
• $500 to Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina for foster care support 
• $750 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cashiers and Highlands (BBBSCH) Advisory Council for general operating support 
• $750 to Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas for Macon County Childhood Cancer Safety Net 
• $1,500 to Counseling and Psychotherapy Center of Highlands for services expansion 
• $500 to Hawthorn Heights WNC, Inc. for nutrition security 
• $500 to HIGHTS for fuel for afterschool programs 
• $1,100 to Literacy Council of Highlands, Inc. for The Literacy & Learning Center’s free educational programs 
• $1,000 to Macon County Care Network for Macon County hunger relief program 
• $1,000 to Macon County Humane Society, Inc. dba Appalachian Animal Rescue Center for small dog kennels 
• $1,000 to Macon County Public Health for sustaining Double SNAP/EBT at the Macon County Farmers Market 
• $500 to Macon TRACS, Inc. for Franklin High School Horse Sense 
• $500 to Meridian Behavioral Health Services for expanding technology access for behavioral health  
• $1,250 to Otto Community Development Organization, Inc. for automated external defibrillator installation inside the Otto Community Building 
• $1,100 to Pisgah Legal Services for legal services for survivors of domestic violence and child abuse in Macon County 
• $500 to REACH of Macon County for domestic violence and sexual assault awareness months outreach campaigns 
• $500 to The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts for Creative Youth Partnership program 
• $1,000 to The Gordon Center for Children for early childhood program needs

While these grants were awarded for specific projects, the organizations are being offered flexibility to repurpose funding awarded for specific programs or projects to best support their current needs in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

“These organizations are evidence of the vitality and resilience of our community, and we were glad to support them with these funds,” said Regina Lupoli, advisory board president of the Macon County Community Foundation. “As western North Carolina continues to recover after Hurricane Helene, we are ready to assist in partnership with the NCCF Disaster Relief Fund.”

Funds for 2024 grants came from MCCF’s community grantmaking fund. Each year, MCCF’s local volunteer 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/macon to learn more about MCCF and its work in the community or make a tax-deductible donation. For information about MCCF, contact the western region community leadership officer. 

Macon County Community Foundation Advisory Board Members 
Advisory board members live and work in Macon County, positioning them to strategically leverage resources, meet local needs and access opportunities. In addition to Lupoli, board members include David Moore (vice president), Tyrie “TJ” Smith (secretary), Julie Adams, Kevin Holland, Faviola Olvera and Bonnie Potts. 

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 $460 million in assets, NCCF sustains nearly 1,300 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 $300 million since 1988. For more information, visit nccommunityfoundation.org.

The NCCF Disaster Relief Fund supports long-term recovery and unmet needs in communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. To support recovery in western NC, visit: nccommunityfoundation.org/Helene.