The Fund for Mitchell County awarded twelve grants totaling $49,450 to nonprofits serving Mitchell County in its recent grant cycle. The Fund for Mitchell County, in partnership with The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC), has awarded grants totaling $909,489.
“Supporting local nonprofits is more important than ever following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene,” said Advisory Board Chair Beverly Ayscue. “The entire region was affected, and nonprofits joined other first responders on the front lines. As recovery progresses, these critical organizations continue to meet their missions and increased demand. Contributions from our friends and neighbors, both recently and over the years invested for long-term support, helped make this year’s grants possible.”
The 2025 grants are:
$1,600 to Appalachian Therapeutic Riding Center for equine therapy services for seniors in assisted living and nursing homes.
$3,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina for a youth mentoring program.
$4,600 to Campbell Farm Animal Sanctuary to purchase a run-in shelter for rescue animals.
$2,250 to CareReach to help uninsured people access healthcare information, resources, and services.
$5,000 to Center for Rural Health Innovation to provide access to medical services through telehealth.
$3,000 to Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas to provide children from low-income family’s access to cancer treatment.
$5,000 to High Country Caregiver Foundation to support kinship families affected by the hurricane.
$5,000 to Mitchell County Shepherd’s Staff to support construction of a new food pantry.
$5,000 to Mitchell-Yancey Habitat for Humanity for a planning and feasibility study needed for a housing development site.
$5,000 to Partners Aligned Toward Health (PATH) for a youth mental health and substance abuse prevention program.
$5,000 to Pisgah Legal Services to provide free civil legal assistance and advocacy to low-income survivors of domestic violence and child abuse.
$5,000 to Spruce Pine Main Street for a festival that will raise awareness about the Hellbender salamander, enhance environmental education, and help increase tourism in Mitchell County.
In 1999, local residents established The Fund for Mitchell County as a permanent charitable endowment to meet local needs. Gifts added to the Fund’s principal are preserved and invested, while grants from the Fund support nonprofits serving Mitchell County. To make a tax-deductible contribution, donate online at www.FundforMitchellCounty.org or by mail c/o CFWNC, 4 Vanderbilt Park Drive, Suite 300, Asheville NC 28803. Make checks payable to CFWNC, noting “The Fund for Mitchell County” in the memo line. Contributions of any size are welcome.
The local volunteer Advisory Board includes: Beverly Ayscue (Chair), Robin Buchanan, Christopher Day, Katie Elkins, Kathey Hollifield (Secretary), Stuart Jensen, Cindy Lindsey, Andy Palmer, Geraldine Plato (Vice Chair), Suzanne B. Russell, Zan Sistare, Brenda H. Sparks, Diane W. Walker O.D., and Dwight Willett.
CFWNC works with families, businesses and nonprofits to strengthen communities through the creation of charitable funds and strategic grantmaking. A permanent charitable resource, the Foundation manages over 1,300 funds and has facilitated more than $387 million in philanthropy since its founding in 1978. Learn more at www.cfwnc.org.
For more information about The Fund for Mitchell County, contact Advisory Board Chair Beverly Ayscue at 910-297-5212.
