The Madison County Community Foundation, a North Carolina Community Foundation affiliate, announced $12,530 in grants to organizations supporting the local community. 

The board of advisors awarded grants in late August to Appalachian Barn Alliance, Community Housing Coalition of Madison County, Heart of Horse Sense, Madison County Arts Council, Marshall Native Gardens Initiative and Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre.  

While these grants were initially 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.    

“We were pleased to offer support to these organizations, and we will continue our work in the community in partnership with the NCCF Disaster Relief Fund as Madison County recovers,” said Bud Christman, advisory board president of the Madison County Community Foundation. “By working together, we can meet critical needs and make our community stronger and more resilient.” 

Funds for 2024 grants came from MCCF’s community grantmaking fund and the Howard J. and Blanche Elam Runnion Endowment. Each year, MCCF’s local volunteer advisory board uses dollars from its endowment funds to make grants to eligible local organizations, including nonprofits, local governments, schools and churches. 

The board also awarded grants funded by the Fran’s Helping Hands Endowment, a former Donor Advised Fund now advised by the MCCF board. The board selected grantees based on their response to Hurricane Helene: 

• Beacon of Hope 
• Community Housing Coalition of Madison County

The NCCF Disaster Relief Fund supports long-term recovery and unmet needs in communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. The fund will begin awarding grants to organizations serving impacted communities like Madison County in early 2025. To learn more or support recovery in western NC, visit: nccommunityfoundation.org/Helene. 

Visit nccommunityfoundation.org/madison 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. 

Madison County Community Foundation Advisory Board Members 
Advisory board members are committed to addressing needs in Madison County by strategically leveraging and accessing opportunities. In addition to Christman, board members include Maxine Brown (vice president), Jerry Cody (secretary), Tim Clark, Donna Kull, Phil Shepard and Roger Slagle. 

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.