Community Foundation of Burke County awards over $200K in grants

This year, the Community Foundation of Burke County made a significant change to its Community Grant Cycle: rather than distributing many smaller, often partially funded awards, it granted 10 $20,000 grants to local nonprofits.

The change followed listening sessions held earlier this year by the Foundation President & CEO Barbara Wetsig-Lynam. Nonprofit leaders across the community shared their desire for larger, more impactful grants, and the Community Foundation responded.

The new approach made for an especially competitive cycle this year. Applicants could request $20,000 from the Community Foundation, as well as additional funding from Burke Charitable Properties for facility-related needs. The Community Foundation received 40 applications requesting nearly $900,000, a clear sign of the need in Burke County.

Given the strength of the applicant pool, the Grants Committee chose to prioritize organizations with a physical presence in Burke County. Committee members conducted site visits and spent hours in deliberation before selecting the recipients.

2026 COMMUNITY GRANT RECIPIENTS

• Blue Ridge Community Action Circles Program: A community-led initiative to end poverty through relationships
• Brighter House: Development of a transitional employment program
• Deaf and Blind Pathways Foundation: Improving emergency resilience at Alder Springs
• Good Samaritan Clinic: Expand access by enrolling and retaining uninsured patients
• Grow with Drexel: Covered picnic area at the R.O. Huffman Center
• Old Colony Players: Updated lighting towers for the amphitheater
• Open Hearts Place: Open Hearts Place programming; guiding families to financial stability and homeownership
• Options: Emergency shelter for survivors of domestic and sexual violence
• Southmountain Children and Family Services: Restoring the Resilience Pavilion
• The Overflow’s Seeds of Purpose: Mentoring Burke County young men in character, practical skills, and purpose

Burke Charitable Properties grants were awarded to Burke United Christian Ministries (BUCM), Deaf and Blind Pathways Foundation, The Drexel Museum, Historic Burke Foundation, and Southmountain Children and Family Services.

“We’re proud of this first year with larger grants, and we’re excited to see what these organizations accomplish. This is just the beginning of how we hope to deepen our impact in Burke County,” Wetsig-Lynam said.

These grants are made possible by unrestricted gifts to the Community Foundation from 27 endowed funds plus a special donation from a local couple. Their generosity and support for Burke County ensure that good work in our community can continue, and the Community Foundation is sincerely grateful.

”When people give to the Community Foundation, they are investing in the long-term strength of Burke County,” Wetsig-Lynam said. “We see the evidence of that every day in the work these nonprofits do, and these grants will help them do even more.”

About the Community Foundation of Burke County

The mission of Community Foundation of Burke County (CFBC) is to encourage, develop and participate in philanthropy by providing flexible giving opportunities, professional support and responsible stewardship for the benefit of donors and qualified recipients. If you would like to find out more, please visit our website at cfburkecounty.org or call 828-437-7105.