The McDowell Endowment

04/08/2026

Read the full details of our latest grants here: https://cfwnc.org/article/the-mcdowell-endowment-announces-56-950-in-grants

Black Mountain Counseling Center
McDowell Arts Council Association
McDowell County EMS
Mission Ministries Alliance
New HOPE of McDowell
Pisgah Legal Services

The McDowell Endowment awarded thirteen grants totaling $56,950 to local nonprofit organizations. In partnership with CFWNC, The McDowell Endowment has awarded grants totaling $1,460,936. “Supporting local nonprofits is key to helping our community address the needs of our friends and neighbors. Demand for services remains high, and we are honored to partner with effective organizations,” said Advisory Board Chair Ryan Kelley. Photo courtesy of McDowell Arts Council Association.

12/30/2025

The 2026 cycle of The McDowell Endowment grant program is open for applications. The Endowment seeks to improve the quality of life in McDowell County by supporting projects that benefit its communities and residents. Grants of up to $5,000 are available to nonprofit organizations and public agencies for charitable purposes, including programmatic needs and operating expenses. The online grant application deadline is 5 pm on Monday, February 2nd. Visit our website for details and application link.

09/03/2025

“Today, it still works diligently to protect and grow its resources to continue to make a difference for McDowell County."

06/24/2025

Members of the McDowell Endowment Advisory Board recently visited with Mission Ministries Alliance, a 2025 grant recipient.

Mission Ministries Alliance works to improve the lives of people in McDowell County affected by homelessness by providing emergency shelter, housing services, counseling, rehabilitation, and crisis assistance.

We would like to express our profound thanks for their efforts in this area of critical need in our community!

Pictured are Crystal Sweatt, Executive Director (front left), Carolyn Proctor, NCPSS, Shelter Manager (back right), Heaven Friesland, Project Coordinator (front right), and Heather Moran, CADC, HPWNC Program Director (back left).

📸: Jim Burgin

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina

04/30/2025

McDowell Emergency Medical Services was one of twelve agencies that recently received a grant from the McDowell Endowment. This is a portable washer that will go to a family that is still on a generator for power and was previously using the laundry facilities at the Old Fort Comfort Station, which has recently closed. The portable washer pictured is one of two that have been purchased to help assist families that are still in the process of recovering from the damage of Hurricane Helene. These families are in the process of having their homes repaired or new homes built.

“We are very grateful to have received the funding to provide them with this resource and alleviate some stress while things progress towards normalcy,” reads a statement from McDowell EMS. Pictured are (from left to right) Emergency Management Planner Desiree McLaughlin, EMS Deputy Director Adrienne Jones, Emergency Management Planner Sam Robinson, and EMS Deputy Director Jacqueline Fox. They are in the photo representing the entire EOC Team, as many others who are working diligently on Helene recovery were out in the field and not available for a photo.

04/21/2025

The McDowell Endowment awarded twelve grants totaling $55,970 to local nonprofit organizations in its recent grant cycle.

“Supporting local nonprofits is more important than ever following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene,” said Advisory Board Chair Ryan Kelley. “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 having been invested for long-term support, helped make this year’s grants possible.”

Visit https://cfwnc.org/affiliates/mcdowell-endowment/recent-grants for more information on grant recipients. Black Mountain Counseling Center CareReach
Children's Cancer Partners of the Carolinas The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina McDowell Arts Council Association McDowell County EMS
McDowell Technical Community College Mission Ministries Alliance Pisgah Legal Services Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte

12/26/2024

The 2025 cycle of The McDowell Endowment grant program is now open for applications. The McDowell Endowment seeks to improve the quality of life in McDowell County by supporting projects that benefit its communities and residents.

Grants are available to nonprofit organizations and public agencies for charitable purposes, including programmatic needs and operating expenses. The online grant application deadline is 5 pm on Monday, February 3rd.

Learn more: https://cfwnc.org/grants/the-mc-dowell-endowment

📸: Jim Burgin

11/22/2024

This week's 26 awards include $2 million to the NC Synod, ELCA to partner with Mennonite Disaster Services in rebuilding private bridges destroyed by the hurricane, focusing on Avery, Mitchell, Yancey, Madison, Rutherford, and Buncombe counties. Grants of $280,00 and $142,600 are supporting Partnerships for Children in helping WNC childcare facilities reopen. Centro Unido was awarded $250,000 to provide direct assistance to individuals and families in several counties. As we head toward Thanksgiving, we want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has donated to make grants to these amazing nonprofits possible. Together. In community.

10/03/2024

The Emergency and Disaster Response Fund (EDRF) is funding organizations providing emergency relief to those affected by Hurricane Helene in our 18-county service area, including the Qualla Boundary. Initially, grants up to $25,000 will be awarded on a rolling basis.

Organizations are doing critical work across the region supporting relief and recovery. We know that many organizations will have long-term needs. Right now, grant requests should be for frontline human service needs. The grants are intended to cover the extraordinary costs of providing emergency relief services to individuals or eligible organizations affected by the storm.

Grant amounts of more than $25,000 will be considered on a case-by-case basis and determined according to the availability of funds, the severity of need in the community served, and the other sources of support available to the organizations.

We are extremely grateful to everyone who has donated to the Fund. Together, we will get through this.

10/01/2024

10/01/2024

📞 Helene Assistance Hotline - McDowell County 📞

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please call the Helene Assistance Hotline at (828) 652-3241. Our 24/7 volunteer operators are standing by to help. The hotline can be used for the following:

Report missing or stranded persons
Request transportation to a shelter
Report urgent medical equipment needs (oxygen, life-saving medication)
Any other questions or concerns

We're here for you, McDowell County. Stay safe and reach out if you need us! 💙

📞 Línea de Asistencia Helene - Condado de McDowell 📞

Si usted o alguien que conoce necesita ayuda durante el Huracán Helene, llame a la Línea de Asistencia Helene al (828) 652-3241. Nuestros operadores voluntarios están disponibles las 24 horas, listos para asistir.

La línea de asistencia puede ayudar con: ➡️ Reportar personas desaparecidas o varadas ➡️ Solicitar transporte a un refugio ➡️ Necesidades urgentes de equipos médicos (oxígeno, medicamentos vitales) ➡️ Cualquier otra pregunta o inquietud

Estamos aquí para usted, Condado de McDowell. ¡Manténgase seguro y contáctenos si necesita ayuda! 💙