Wayland L. Jenkins Jr. Endowment
Wayland L. Jenkins Jr. left an extraordinary gift of nearly $23M for Bertie and Hertford counties to his endowment at the North Carolina Community Foundation after his death in 2024.
The endowment supports a community grantmaking program, one of NCCF’s largest, for eligible organizations supporting Bertie and Hertford counties. Grant decisions will be made by the Bertie-Hertford Community Foundation, an NCCF affiliate.
Throughout 2025, NCCF spent time listening to the Bertie and Hertford communities about their strengths, needs and opportunities. From left: Bertie County Listening Session, Hertford County Listening Session and October 2025 Focus Group.
Wayland L. Jenkins Jr. was born in 1931 and graduated from Aulander High School in Bertie County and Wake Forest College. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 and was stationed in Germany. After his discharge, he returned home to work in family businesses. When his father passed away, Jenkins and his brother, Joe Henry, took over several car dealerships and formed Jenkins Investments.
Jenkins helped organize and fund NCCF’s Bertie-Hertford affiliate in 1999. His founding gift and leadership were crucial to its success.
Jenkins passed away in 2024 at the age of 92. He believed in the impact that long-term philanthropy can have on a community and placed his trust in NCCF and our Bertie-Hertford affiliate to steward the endowment and take care of the community.
Throughout 2025, NCCF and BHCF worked with community members in Bertie and Hertford counties to learn more about strengths, needs and opportunities that the Jenkins fund could support. More than 200 people provided feedback through two community listening sessions. Two focus group sessions were held to dive deeper into issues with community organizations and partners.
Results of the listening sessions, focus groups and additional research are available in a community report.
The Bertie-Hertford Community Foundation will accept grant applications from July 24, 2026, until noon eastern time on Aug. 25, 2026. How to apply.
Awards are expected to be announced in late fall 2026.
NCCF hosted an optional virtual workshop for grantseekers on July 13. The workshop provided an overview of the grant program, shared tips for grant proposals and answered questions about the application process. View a recording and download workshop slides.
Two in-person workshops covering the same information were held in May.
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Charitable organizations and partnerships supporting Bertie and Hertford counties can apply for grants from the Bertie-Hertford Community Foundation beginning July 24. This…
Impact Story, News
A lasting legacy: Wayland L. Jenkins Jr. and NCCF
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When the North Carolina Community Foundation announced a nearly $22 million gift from the estate of Wayland L. Jenkins Jr. to create a…
WATCH: Community leaders reflect on Jenkins’ legacy and the lasting impact of his extraordinary generosity for Bertie and Hertford counties.