The Swain County Community Foundation, a North Carolina Community Foundation affiliate, has awarded $12,920 in grants to organizations supporting the local community. 

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

• $1,680 to Bryson City Food Pantry for general operating support 
• $1,400 to Bryson City United Methodist Church for Pass It on Café 
• $2,060 to Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas for Swain County Childhood Cancer Safety Net 
• $1,000 to Four Square Community Action, Inc. for Swain County Head Start Safety Improvement Project 
• $1,200 to Hawthorn Heights WNC, Inc. for recreational activities 
• $900 to HIGHTS for fuel for mediation services 
• $900 to Make-A-Wish Central and Western North Carolina for Become a Wishmaker in Swain County 
• $780 to Need More Outdoors for programming 
• $500 to North Carolina Symphony for music discovery for Swain County preschoolers 
• $1,500 to Swain/Qualla SAFE, Inc. for general operating support 
• $1,000 to The Smoky Mountain Community Theatre for renovations

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.

“In the months since Hurricane Helene we’ve seen countless examples of the critical role nonprofits play in the lives of our community,” said Cindy Allison Thompson, advisory board president of the Swain County Community Foundation. “We were proud to be able to offer support to these organizations earlier this year and will continue to work with NCCF to address unmet needs in our community as we recover and rebuild.” 

Funds for 2024 grants came from SCCF’s community grantmaking fund and the Youth Are Our Future Endowment. Each year, SCCF’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. 

Visit nccommunityfoundation.org/swain to learn more about SCCF and its work in the community or make a tax-deductible donation. For information about SCCF, contact the western region community leadership officer.

Swain County Community Foundation Advisory Board Members 
Advisory board members live and work in Swain County, positioning them to strategically leverage resources, meet local needs and access opportunities. In addition to Thompson, board members include Daniel Manley (vice president), Carol Sussman (secretary), Janine Crisp, Jeff Delfield, Carla Jamison and Karen Proctor. 

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.