The Mountaineer

March 29, 2023

A plethora of projects and programs elevating the quality of life in Haywood County have gotten financial backing thanks to annual grants awarded by The Fund for Haywood County.

More than a dozen grants totaling $64,900 will help nonprofits carry out projects benefiting the community — including WiFi hotspots for HCC students, a kid’s clothing closet for low-income families, a public art mural and financial support for local children battling cancer.

“Through the support of friends and neighbors, we are able to fund worthwhile projects and nonprofits doing good work across Haywood County,” said Adam Bridges, Advisory Board Chair for The Fund of Haywood County.

The 2023 grants are:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina: $4,800 to support existing mentoring pairs, as well as to recruit, screen, train and place 10 new mentoring volunteers to address a waiting list.

• Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas: $4,000 to defray costs of treatment and family emergencies that threaten continuity of care for Haywood County children battling cancer.

• Clothes To Kids of Haywood County: $2,500 for operating costs for the kids’ clothing shop.

• First United Methodist Church of Waynesville/Friendship House: $3,162 for food assistance utilizing local agriculture producers for those experiencing hunger and food insecurity.

• Haywood Christian Ministry: $7,500 to purchase fresh, local farm goods for distribution to clients.

• Haywood Community College Foundation: $3,876 for WiFi hotspots available through the library to support students who lack internet access to allow them to complete their coursework while away from campus.

• Haywood Community Learning Center: $5,000 to fund student services that support graduation.

• Haywood County Arts Council: $2,900 to support the creation of a Cherokee mural, painted by an Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ artist, on the back wall of its building. From the Mib and Phil Medford Endowment Fund.

• Haywood County Meals on Wheels: $7,500 to purchase shelf-stable meals for its clients.

• HIGHTS: $3,500 for fuel costs related to afterschool services provided four days a week to vulnerable youth.

• KARE (Kids Advocacy Resource Effort): $5,000 to support the School Safety Program and provide funding for professional development.

• Folkmoot: $3,162 to to underwrite the salary of two employees in June and July 2023 to support the summer international festival.

• The Community Kitchen: $5,000 to purchase food and supplies needed to provide fresh, hot meals nightly and for its food distribution program.

• Town of Waynesville: $7,000 to install bump outs for street trees in Downtown Waynesville as a part of its adopted streetscape plan. From the Mib and Phil Medford Endowment Fund.

The Fund for Haywood County is managed in partnership with The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.

Local residents established The Fund for Haywood County in 1994 as a permanent charitable endowment to meet local needs. Gifts added to the principal are preserved and invested, while grants are made using investment interest.

Contributions of any size are welcome. To make a tax-deductible contribution, donate online at www.cfwnc.org/affiliates/the-fund-for-haywood-county or by mail: c/o CFWNC, 4 Vanderbilt Park Drive, Suite 300, Asheville NC 28803. Make checks payable to CFWNC, noting “Fund for Haywood County” in the memo line.

The local, volunteer advisory board includes: Angela Bleckley, Adam Bridges (Chair), Kim Ferguson, Jeff Haynes (Vice Chair), Joan Kennedy, Chris Kuhlman, Terri Manning, Steve McNeil, Jonathan Song (Secretary), Amy C. Spivey, Mathew Underwood and Eric Yarrington.

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 more than 1,200 funds and has facilitated more than $328 million in philanthropy since its founding in 1978. Learn more at www.cfwnc.org.

For more information about The Fund for Haywood County, contact advisory board chair Adam Bridges at 828-400-1156.