GRANTS

Carolina Foothills Foundations Awards Over $3 million to Rutherford and Polk Nonprofits

The Carolina Foothills Foundation (CFF) located at 376 Hudlow Road, Forest City, recently granted $3,075,138.60 to 40 nonprofit organizations in Rutherford and Polk counties as part of its annual grant cycle. In addition, CFF constructed the gym, retrofitted the Carolina Event and Conference Center, and hired staff for the Boys and Girls Club of Rutherford.

“We are honored to be able to meet critical needs in our communities,” Rita Burch, CFF CEO said. “We are addressing three major areas to improve the lives of people of all ages. Many thanks to the volunteer board who carefully reviews each application to ensure the funds are being used effectively.”

Per the grant criteria, the selected nonprofits must focus on the areas of elder care, wellness or youth development. Of the grants awarded in this cycle, 70% of grants were for eldercare, 19% were for wellness, and 1% was for youth. Over the past four years, the Carolina Foothills Foundation has awarded a total of $14,158,472 in funding in Rutherford and Polk counties.

The Carolina Foothills Foundation is a community based, 501c(3) charitable organization that provides funds and other support to me the many health challenges that face people in Rutherford and Polk counties. The Foundation provides direct support and empowers carefully selected organizations that impact individual and community wellness in the areas of eldercare, youth development, and wellness.

Polk County

1. Champions for Wildlife $25,000.00 - Wild for Art Programs in Polk County

2. Higher Academia Corporation $25,000.00 - Higher Academia - Community Learning Center

3. Lanier Library Assn Inc. $26,000.00 - On-demand generator for the Lanier Library

4. Polk County Council on Aging Inc. $100,000.00 - Polk County Senior Nutrition Program

5. Polk County Health & Human Services Agency -Senior Services Division $100,000.00 - Polk County Senior Center/Emergency Shelter Lot Rehabilitation Project

6. Polk County Libraries $5,000.00 - Early Learning Backpacks

7. Saluda Pop-Up Pantry $40,000.00 - Farm to Neighbor Program

8. Share Thy Bread $50,000.00 - Fresh Produce Access for Polk County

9. Carolina Foothills Eldercare $500,000.00 - Home care services, home repairs

Rutherford County

10. Basics Christian Ministries Inc. $25,000.00 - 2026-27 Healthy Food Purchases and Operation Expenses

11. Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Western North Carolina $15,000.00 - Growing Futures through Mentoring

12. Camp Patriot Animal Rescue & Sanctuary $7,000.00 - Camp Patriot Cadet Corps Summer Camp: Youth Leadership Through Animal Welfare & Service

13. Carolina Foothills Eldercare $1,500,000.00 - Eldercare Home Care

14. Crossnore Communities for Children $30,000.00 - Crossnore Bridging Families™ Hillside Home Minivan Purchase

15. Family Resources of Rutherford County Inc. $15,000.00 - The Kinship Family Stability & Wellness Initiative

16. Hands of Hope for Life $60,000.00 - Hands of Hope: Hope Program/Renovations

17. Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach Inc. $40,000.00 - Food Pantry Support, F.I.N.S. Support, and Operational Overhead

18. Hope Center of Rutherford County Inc. $50,000.00 - Program Access and Engagement Vouchers

19. Isothermal Community College Foundation Inc. $6,000.00 - Patriot Pantry: A Student Needs Pantry

20. Kidsenses Children's Interactive Museum $62,500.00 - Completing The FACTORY Capital Campaign

21. Lake Lure Community Education Foundation $10,000.00 - Feed the Children/Cultivating Healthy Futures

22. Martin Luther Jr. King Committee of New Hope $12,000.00 - Physical and Mental Health Awareness for Disadvantaged Seniors

23. Mary B Mullen Bible Camp Inc. $60,638.60 - Community Blessings for Disaster Volunteers Project

24. New Beginning Soup Kitchen Grba $10,000.00 - New Beginnings Soup Kitchen

25. Out of the Ashes Inc. $185,000.00 - Restoring Lives: Recovery and Housing Stability Program

26. Partnership for Children of the Foothills Inc. $9,000.00 - Partnership for Children of the Foothills Diaper Bank

27. Pisgah Legal Services $20,000.00 - Elder Law Program

28. Rutherford County Schools Education Foundation Inc. $19,000.00 - Future Ready RCS: Expanding STEAM, AI, and Student Support

29. Rutherford County Swim Team $10,000.00 - "AARRR" You ready to be a Raider

30. Rutherford Outdoor Coalition $5,000.00 - Adventure and Environmental Programs for Youth and Seniors

31. Safe Kids Rutherford County Inc. $7,500.00 - Traumatic Injury Prevention and Education

32. South Mountains Christian Youth Camp $49,500.00 - Well and Kitchen Hood for Multipurpose Building

33. Symphony of Rutherford County $45,000.00 - A Place to Play: Creating a Permanent Rehearsal, Education & Recital Center

34. The Source Ministries/The Source Outreach Center $5,500.00 - Thrive & Rise Youth Initiative

35. Throwing Bones $5,000.00 - Life is Not a Sprint

36. Town of Forest City $45,000.00 - Forest City Parks and Recreation Public Swimming Pool Enhancement

37. Town of Spindale $25,000.00 - Spindale House Outdoor Pickleball Court Resurfacing

38. Union Mills Fire Department, INC $4,500.00 - Defibrillators

39. Washburn Community Outreach Center $12,000.00 - Funding to purchase food and hygiene products

40. Yokefellow Service Center, Inc. $30,000.00 - Eldercare/Comfort Care

2025 Grant Recipients

2024 Grant Recipients

2023 Grant Recipients

For questions, contact info@carolinaff.org or call 828-222-4350.

Eligibility Requirements

Classified as tax exempt public charities under Section 501c (3) of the Internal Revenue Code or government entities serving Rutherford and Polk Counties.
Provide programs and services that are consistent with the Foundation’s mission and values.
Demonstrate that the goals of the grant are measurable and sustainable.
Only one application submitted per agency and request for only one of the following categories: eldercare, youth development, or wellness.

Limitations

(this is not an inclusive list)

Make grants or loans to individuals
Donate to political causes, candidates, organizations, or campaigns
Support organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or disability
Endowments
Organizations not supporting the residents of Rutherford/Polk counties
Funding for salaries
K-12 public or private school, charter school, community/junior college, state/private college, or university. Separate 501c3 organizations established to support a school should contact the Foundation prior to submission to determine project eligibility.
Please contact Rita Burch, CEO, at rita.burch@carolinaff.org for guidance in determining the eligibility of your organization and/or project.
Applications must be submitted through the online grant application form or alternative accessible application designed for assistive technology users.

Grant Year

The Foundation grant year begins July 1, 2026, and ends June 30, 2027.

Geographic Focus

Rutherford County and Polk County, NC

Questions or Comments?

Carolina Foothills Foundation welcomes and values your feedback on the grants process and priorities.
Please direct your inquiries and comments to Rita Burch, CEO, at rita.burch@carolinaff.org.