The Swain County Community Foundation, a North Carolina Community Foundation affiliate, has awarded $13,120 in grants to 10 organizations supporting the local community. 

The board of advisors granted: 

• $1,250 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina for Igniting Potential in Swain County youth 
• $2,000 to Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas for Swain County Childhood Cancer Safety Net 
• $1,000 to Diaper Bank of NC for meeting essential hygiene needs for adults in Swain County 
• $1,200 to Four Square Community Action, Inc. for Head Start 
• $720 to Future Physicians for general operating support 
• $1,250 to Hawthorn Heights WNC, Inc. for recreational activities 
• $1,200 to HIGHTS for fuel for mediation services 
• $1,250 to Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc. for support for Swain County residents in need of civil legal services 
• $1,250 to Special Olympics North Carolina for Special Olympics North Carolina Swain County 
• $2,000 to Swain/Qualla SAFE, Inc. for general operating support

“We are privileged to support local nonprofits and community organizations with our grants,” said Daniel Manley, advisory board president of the Swain County Community Foundation. “Permanent philanthropy is essential to the vitality of our communities.” 

Funds for 2025 grants came from SCCF’s community grantmaking fund and the Youth Are Our Future Endowment. Each year, SCCF’s advisory board uses dollars from its endowment funds to make grants to eligible local organizations, including nonprofits, local governments, schools and churches. 

Board members, community members and grantees gathered for a Philanthropy Celebration on October 23. Grantees were invited to share a few words about their organization, the project this grant will support, and how others can get involved. 

Left: Representatives from Camp Living Water and Restoration House discuss projects at the Philanthropy Celebration event. Right: SCCF board members and 2025 grantees pose with giant check. 

The grants are a portion of community support provided by SCCF this year. Earlier this year, SCCF granted $180,000 through the NCCF Disaster Relief Fund. The grants were awarded to local organizations to support long-term recovery, resiliency and unmet needs related to Hurricane Helene. Learn more about these grants. 

Visit nccommunityfoundation.org/Swain to learn more about SCCF and its work or to make a tax-deductible donation.  

Swain County Community Foundation Advisory Board Members 
Advisory board members are volunteers who live and work in Swain County, positioning them to strategically leverage resources, meet local needs and access opportunities. In addition to Manley, board members include Jeff Delfield (vice president), Carol Sussman (secretary), Dr. Ann Bullock, Janine Crisp and Liz Petty. 

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 nearly $570 million in assets. More than $338 million has been awarded as grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students, creating stronger communities for generations to come.    

To learn more about how we turn generosity into impact, visit nccommunityfoundation.org.