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    5. Carolina Foothills Foundation
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    Carolina Foothills Foundation

    ActiveHuman Services
    Forest City, NCWebsite8282224350
    EIN (Tax ID): 56-1337169Latest Form 990: 2026Total assets: $71.9M4 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
    See If You're a Fit — FreeFree account · instant fit score · similar funders

    About Carolina Foothills Foundation

    The Carolina Foothills Foundation (CFF) is a community-based, 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides funds and other support to meet the many health challenges that face people in Rutherford and Polk Counties. We provide direct support and empower carefully selected non-profits to impact individual and community wellness in the areas we serve, which are eldercare, youth development, and wellness.

    Focus Areas

    EldercareYouth developmentWellnessAging-in-place servicesHome-delivered mealsTransportation assistanceElder law/advocacy

    Funding Style

    unrestricted/general operating supportorganizational sustainabilityresponsive/grant-for-purpose-not-project-specific

    Topics

    general charitable activitiesorganizational capacity buildingmulti-program support

    About Carolina Foothills Foundation

    Carolina Foothills Foundation directs all of its recent grant activity to Rutherford and Polk County organizations, with support concentrated in eldercare, youth development, and wellness. The foundation’s listed grantmaking also includes direct operating support and community services through its annual competitive grant cycle and community grants. In the recent grants list, the largest award went to the Town of Forest City for $288,300, followed by $250,000 to the Town of Rutherfordton. Those awards sit alongside substantial support for local nonprofits and public entities serving basic needs, aging services, youth programs, and community wellness. The foundation’s pattern suggests a place-based funder that works through a mix of nonprofits, municipal partners, and community-serving organizations. Recent awards include $206,895 to Rutherford Lifeservices Inc in Spindale and $200,000 to Out of the Ashes Inc in Forest City. Other grantees include home-delivered meal, housing, legal, and youth-serving organizations, reflecting a broad community-services portfolio within its local footprint. Carolina Foothills Foundation funds organizations rather than individuals and does not use program-related investments.

    What Carolina Foothills Foundation Funds

    Eldercare is a clear throughline in the foundation’s giving. Recent awards include $70,000 to Polk County Council on Aging Inc in Columbus and $60,000 to Pisgah Legal Services in Rutherfordton, both tied to charitable activities. The foundation also supports aging-in-place and home-safety work through its operating programs. Youth development appears in grants to community-serving groups such as $49,100 to South Mountains Christian Youth Camp in Bostic, $29,500 to Kidsenses Children's Interactive Museum in Rutherfordton, and $25,000 to Higher Academia Corporation in Rutherfordton. Wellness and basic needs show up in grants to organizations like $48,000 to Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach Inc in Lake Lure and $25,000 to Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry in Columbus. The foundation also funds civic and emergency-response entities, including local fire departments and municipal partners.

    How Carolina Foothills Foundation Gives

    Typical awards cluster around the mid-$20,000 range, with a p25 of $22,885, a median of $25,000, and a p75 of $48,825. The recent grants list shows both larger community awards and many grants at $25,000. The foundation’s structure is local and community-based, and it operates an annual competitive grant cycle that accepts unsolicited applications. The grant list also shows repeated support for some organizations across multiple years, including a 2024 award to Yokefellow Service Center Inc and a 2025 award to Yokefellow in Spindale, which indicates recurring funding relationships.

    Where Carolina Foothills Foundation Makes Grants

    Grantmaking is entirely in North Carolina, with 100% of grants to recipients in the HQ state and the top giving county footprint centered on Rutherford and Polk Counties. Recent awards reach Forest City, Rutherfordton, Spindale, Columbus, Bostic, Lake Lure, Union Mills, and Saluda. Forest City and Rutherfordton appear frequently among the larger awards, while Spindale and Columbus also receive multiple grants. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Carolina Foothills Foundation

    What kinds of organizations does Carolina Foothills Foundation fund?

    It funds nonprofit organizations and some government entities serving Rutherford and Polk Counties, with emphasis on eldercare, youth development, and wellness. Recent recipients include municipal agencies, aging-services groups, youth programs, and community outreach organizations.

    What is the foundation’s typical grant size?

    Its typical grant size is centered near $25,000, with a p25 of $22,885, a median of $25,000, and a p75 of $48,825. The recent list also includes larger awards above $200,000.

    Does Carolina Foothills Foundation accept unsolicited applications?

    Yes. The annual competitive grant cycle and community grants programs both accept unsolicited applications for organizations serving Rutherford and Polk Counties in the foundation’s focus areas.

    Which focus areas appear most often in the foundation’s grantmaking?

    Eldercare, youth development, and wellness are the core areas. The named programs also reference aging in place, home-delivered meals, transportation assistance, elder law and advocacy, and community health.

    Is the foundation’s giving local or national?

    Its giving is local. All grants in the data go to recipients in North Carolina, and the listed geography centers on Rutherford and Polk Counties.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $528K

    Total Assets

    $71.9M

    Total Revenue

    $6.3M

    Total Expenses

    $3.8M

    Latest 990 Filing

    2026

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $23K and $49K, with a median of $25K.

    25th Percentile

    $23K

    Median

    $25K

    75th Percentile

    $49K

    Geographic Reach

    Local1 state funded
    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Leadership

    Rita Burch

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    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    Out of the Ashes IncForest City, NC$125,0002026To fund the charitable activities
    Boys & Girls Clubs of RutherfForest City, NC$100,0002026To fund the charitable activities
    Polk County Council on AgingColumbus, NC$100,0002026To fund the charitable activities
    Polk County Health&HumanSer AColumbus, NC$60,0002026To fund the charitable activities
    Share Thy BreadTryon, NC$40,0002026To fund the charitable activities
    Saluda Pop-Up PantrySaluda, NC$40,0002026To fund the charitable activities
    Champions for WildlifeLynn, NC$25,0002026To fund the charitable activities
    Tryon Arts & Crafts SchoolTryon, NC$16,0002026To fund the charitable activities
    Polk County Film InitiativeTryon, NC$15,0002026To fund the charitable activities
    Polk County Public LibrariesColumbus, NC$7,0002026To fund the charitable activities
    YokefellowSpindale, NC$125,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    City of Saluda North CarolinaSaluda, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Green Hill Volunteer Fire DepRutherfordton, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Forest City Fire RescueForest City, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Hudlow Volunteer Fire DepartmForest City, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Shilon-Danieltown-Oakland VolForest City, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Columbus Fire DepartmentColumbus, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Bostic Volunteer Fire DepartmBostic, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Cherry Mtn Vol Fire DepartmenBostic, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Mill Spring Volunteer Fire DeMill Spring, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Green Creek Volunteer Fire ReColumbus, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Shingle Hollow Volunteer FireRutherfordton, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Chimney Rock Volunteer Fire DChimney Rock, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Sandy Mush Vol Fire DeptForest City, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Bills Creek Community VoluntLake Lure, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Lake Lure Fire DepartmentLake Lure, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Rutherfordton Fire & RescueRutherfordton, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Union Mills Fire DepartmentUnion Mills, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Tryon Fire DepartmentTryon, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Sunny View Fire RescueMill Spring, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Town of Spindale - Fire RescuSpindale, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Saluda Volunteer Fire and ResSaluda, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Cliffside Area Fire DepartmenCliffside, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Ellenboro Fire Departmentllenboro, NC$25,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    Basics Christian MinistriesCliffside, NC$20,0002025To fund the charitable activities
    TOWN OF FOREST CITYFOREST CITY, NC$288,3002024TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
    TOWN OF RUTHERFORDTONRUTHERFORDTON, NC$250,0002024TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
    RUTHERFORD LIFESERVICES INCSPINDALE, NC$206,8952024TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
    OUT OF THE ASHES INCFOREST CITY, NC$200,0002024TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
    CITY OF SALUDA NORTH CAROLINASALUDA, NC$200,0002024TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
    RUTHERFORD COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INCRUTHERFORDTON, NC$125,0002024TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
    GRAHAMTOWN TEAMFOREST CITY, NC$120,0002024TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
    CHASE CORNER UNITED METHODIST MINISTRIESFOREST CITY, NC$78,5192024TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
    TOGETHER EACH ACHIEVES MORE NC (TEAMNC)FOREST CITY, NC$71,8732024TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
    POLK COUNTY COUNCIL ON AGING INCCOLUMBUS, NC$70,0002024TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
    RUTHERFORD COUNTY LIBRARYSPINDALE, NC$68,7162024TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
    RUTHERFORD OUTDOOR COALITIONSPINDALE, NC$67,5002024TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
    PISGAH LEGAL SERVICESRUTHERFORDTON, NC$60,0002024TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
    RUTHERFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICERUTHERFORDTON, NC$50,0002024TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
    PILGRIMS PATHWAY HOUSE OF REFUGESPINDALE, NC$50,0002024TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

    Out of the Ashes Inc

    $125,000
    Forest City, NC2026

    To fund the charitable activities

    Boys & Girls Clubs of Rutherf

    $100,000
    Forest City, NC2026

    To fund the charitable activities

    Polk County Council on Aging

    $100,000
    Columbus, NC2026

    To fund the charitable activities

    Polk County Health&HumanSer A

    $60,000
    Columbus, NC2026

    To fund the charitable activities

    Share Thy Bread

    $40,000
    Tryon, NC2026

    To fund the charitable activities

    Saluda Pop-Up Pantry

    $40,000
    Saluda, NC2026

    To fund the charitable activities

    Champions for Wildlife

    $25,000
    Lynn, NC2026

    To fund the charitable activities

    Tryon Arts & Crafts School

    $16,000
    Tryon, NC2026

    To fund the charitable activities

    Polk County Film Initiative

    $15,000
    Tryon, NC2026

    To fund the charitable activities

    Polk County Public Libraries

    $7,000
    Columbus, NC2026

    To fund the charitable activities

    Yokefellow

    $125,000
    Spindale, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    City of Saluda North Carolina

    $25,000
    Saluda, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Green Hill Volunteer Fire Dep

    $25,000
    Rutherfordton, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Forest City Fire Rescue

    $25,000
    Forest City, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Hudlow Volunteer Fire Departm

    $25,000
    Forest City, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Shilon-Danieltown-Oakland Vol

    $25,000
    Forest City, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Columbus Fire Department

    $25,000
    Columbus, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Bostic Volunteer Fire Departm

    $25,000
    Bostic, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Cherry Mtn Vol Fire Departmen

    $25,000
    Bostic, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Mill Spring Volunteer Fire De

    $25,000
    Mill Spring, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Green Creek Volunteer Fire Re

    $25,000
    Columbus, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Shingle Hollow Volunteer Fire

    $25,000
    Rutherfordton, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Chimney Rock Volunteer Fire D

    $25,000
    Chimney Rock, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Sandy Mush Vol Fire Dept

    $25,000
    Forest City, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Bills Creek Community Volunt

    $25,000
    Lake Lure, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Lake Lure Fire Department

    $25,000
    Lake Lure, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Rutherfordton Fire & Rescue

    $25,000
    Rutherfordton, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Union Mills Fire Department

    $25,000
    Union Mills, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Tryon Fire Department

    $25,000
    Tryon, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Sunny View Fire Rescue

    $25,000
    Mill Spring, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Town of Spindale - Fire Rescu

    $25,000
    Spindale, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Saluda Volunteer Fire and Res

    $25,000
    Saluda, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Cliffside Area Fire Departmen

    $25,000
    Cliffside, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Ellenboro Fire Department

    $25,000
    llenboro, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    Basics Christian Ministries

    $20,000
    Cliffside, NC2025

    To fund the charitable activities

    TOWN OF FOREST CITY

    $288,300
    FOREST CITY, NC2024

    TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

    TOWN OF RUTHERFORDTON

    $250,000
    RUTHERFORDTON, NC2024

    TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

    RUTHERFORD LIFESERVICES INC

    $206,895
    SPINDALE, NC2024

    TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

    OUT OF THE ASHES INC

    $200,000
    FOREST CITY, NC2024

    TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

    CITY OF SALUDA NORTH CAROLINA

    $200,000
    SALUDA, NC2024

    TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

    RUTHERFORD COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INC

    $125,000
    RUTHERFORDTON, NC2024

    TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

    GRAHAMTOWN TEAM

    $120,000
    FOREST CITY, NC2024

    TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

    CHASE CORNER UNITED METHODIST MINISTRIES

    $78,519
    FOREST CITY, NC2024

    TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

    TOGETHER EACH ACHIEVES MORE NC (TEAMNC)

    $71,873
    FOREST CITY, NC2024

    TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

    POLK COUNTY COUNCIL ON AGING INC

    $70,000
    COLUMBUS, NC2024

    TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

    RUTHERFORD COUNTY LIBRARY

    $68,716
    SPINDALE, NC2024

    TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

    RUTHERFORD OUTDOOR COALITION

    $67,500
    SPINDALE, NC2024

    TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

    PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES

    $60,000
    RUTHERFORDTON, NC2024

    TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

    RUTHERFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

    $50,000
    RUTHERFORDTON, NC2024

    TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

    PILGRIMS PATHWAY HOUSE OF REFUGE

    $50,000
    SPINDALE, NC2024

    TO FUND THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES