Mission & History
Our Mission
The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina promotes and
expands regional philanthropy and develops local funds that
address changing needs and opportunities in the 18 counties of Western
North Carolina.
Our History
The Community Foundation is a nonprofit
organization established in 1978 to create a permanent pool of
charitable capital that will always be available for the 18 counties of
Western North Carolina. We work with individuals, families and businesses to create and manage
charitable funds and then make grants to nonprofits or public agencies
in our mountain region. The Foundation is now a collection of more than
750 individual funds, each with a specific charitable purpose as
determined by the donor who created it. These funds total $170
million in assets earmarked for pressing needs and promising
opportunities in Western North Carolina. Over the years, The
Community Foundation has distributed more than $90 million in grants.
What We Do
- Work with donors to create charitable funds according to their specific interests
- Inform donors about critical needs and match them with giving opportunities
- Responsibly manage more than $170 million in charitable assets
- Make grants and provide support to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and public agencies for improving life in our region
- Encourage and participate in community initiatives and partnerships
- Build awareness of the importance of philanthropy
All to improve the quality of life for
the people of Western North Carolina
WNC Region / Counties We Serve
Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay,
Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell,
Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania and Yancey
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