LINCOLNTON, N.C. – The Lincoln County Community Foundation recently awarded a record

$40,175 in grants to 13 local projects. The grants will support programs that address child services, education, food insecurity, housing, mental health, and utility assistance. The Foundation invested in organizations and programs that strive to increase opportunity in Lincoln County.

Grants from this cycle include $5,000 to Hesed House of Hope for mental health services, $3,000 to Speak Up for Children to support their program that provides normalcy for children in foster care in Lincoln County, and $2,500 to Boy Scouts of America to help children financially gain access to scouting programs.

"Thank you so much to the Lincoln County Community Foundation for awarding Communities In Schools of Lincoln County,” said Amanda Costner, executive director of Communities in Schools of Lincoln County. “With the generous grant award of $3,000 to CIS of Lincoln County, this allows us to continue our outreach programs twice a month to around 30 youth after school. This grant funding from the Foundation will be channeled into making a significant difference in the lives of the youth we serve."

Alisha Friday, executive director of United Way of Lincoln County added: “We are incredibly grateful for the continued support from the Lincoln County Community Foundation. Its partnership has been vital in helping us fulfill our mission to enhance the quality of life for individuals in our community. This year’s funding will allow us to continue providing wraparound services, including financial literacy programs, after-school enrichment, and tutoring for families and children who need it most. It is only through partnerships like this that we can address our community’s most pressing needs. Together, we are a stronger force in combating community disparities.”

The Lincoln County Community Foundation is a regional affiliate of Charlotte-based Foundation For The Carolinas. The grants were awarded by the LCCF’s local board of advisors as part of its annual grantmaking program. The Lincoln County Community Foundation has invested more than $340,000 in projects and programs that have supported Lincoln County residents since 2002.

“The Lincoln County Community Foundation is pleased to provide a record amount of grant support to 13 nonprofit agencies providing services to the citizens of Lincoln County,” said Bryan Beal, chair of the LCCF Board of Advisors. “These grants are made possible through the generosity of contributors, both past and present. It is humbling to see the work these agencies are providing for the benefit of those they serve. I would also like to thank the Board of Advisors for their diligence during the process of selecting the grant recipients.”

The Lincoln County Community Foundation’s 2024 grant awards include:

·         $2,500 to Autism Society of North Carolina to support Autism Resource Specialists in Lincoln County.

·         $2,000 to Boy Scouts of America - Piedmont Council to provide financial assistance for Lincoln County youth to participate in scouting programs.

·         $2,000 to Carolina Cross Connection to support the home repair program in Lincoln County.

·         $3,175 to ComServ Inc. to provide updates to their classrooms to ensure students are learning in a safe environment.

·         $3,000 to Communities in Schools of Lincoln County to support monthly after school programs.

·         $5,000 to Hesed House of Hope to help provide family counseling and mental health services to shelter residents.

·         $2,500 to Least of These Carolinas to provide Bags of Hope to Lincoln County children entering foster care.

·         $5,000 to Lincoln County Coalition Against Child Abuse to help support children in the foster care system.

·         $2,500 to Lincoln County YMCA to assist teens with membership opportunities.

·         $3,000 to Speak Up for Children to help fulfill the needs of Lincoln County children in foster care.

·         $2,500 to Special Olympics North Carolina to support the addition of pickle ball courts to their programs and engage the community.

·         $2,000 to Shining Hope Farms to help support equine-assisted therapy for Lincoln County children with disabilities.

·         $5,000 to United Way of Lincoln County to help support the United Neighborhood initiative in Lincoln County.

About the Lincoln County Community Foundation: Established in 2001 as a permanent endowment, the Lincoln County Community Foundation benefits a wide range of charitable purposes in Lincoln County. As an affiliate of Charlotte-based Foundation For The Carolinas, the Lincoln County Community Foundation inspires philanthropy, increases charitable giving and strengthens the community. For more information, visit www.lincolncounty-cf.org

Lincoln County Community Foundation Board of Advisors: Bryan Beal, Chair; Walter Clark, Vice Chair; Joe Lampron, Immediate Past Chair; Loretta A. Beam; Robert P. Clark; Trudie Crawford; Marty Hallman; Marti Hovis; Erma Dean Hoyle; Tammy Moody; Mark L. Mullen; Will Wadsworth; Daniel Barefoot, Emeritus; Diane Hunter Boyd, Emeritus; Jerry Cochrane, Emeritus; Sylvia Holmes, Emeritus; Richard Jonas, Emeritus; Sam King, Emeritus; Chip Stroup, Emeritus; Mollie Warlick, Emeritus; and Rosalind Welder, Emeritus.