The Cherokee Preservation Foundation’s mission is to preserve our native culture, protect and enhance our natural environment, and create appropriate and diverse economic opportunities in order to improve the quality of life for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and our neighbors in western North Carolina.
Cherokee Preservation Foundation Inc. ties cultural preservation to economic and environmental work through a grantmaking pattern centered on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and neighboring western North Carolina communities. One of its clearest signals is the scale of support for Cherokee-led institutions: the foundation awarded $948,440 to the EBCI Division of Commerce in 2024, $632,330 to The Sequoyah Fund Inc. in 2024, and $528,000 to Cherokee Boys Club in 2024. Those grants sit alongside support for Cherokee Historical Association, Museum of the Cherokee Indian, and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians projects, showing a strong concentration in organizations rooted in Cherokee life and infrastructure. The foundation also funds work that connects cultural continuity with local opportunity, including grants tied to economic development, leadership, and community capacity. Its program structure includes general grantmaking and regional catalyst funding, with smaller project and planning grants available in some categories. Recent giving shows sustained support for both established Cherokee institutions and regional partners in western North Carolina.
Cultural preservation is a central theme in the foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $418,395 to Cherokee Historical Association in 2024 for cultural preservation, and $291,000 to Museum of the Cherokee Indian in 2024 for the same area. The foundation also supports Cherokee language revitalization, traditional arts, and related preservation work through its general grantmaking and RTCAR program. Economic and workforce development appears in large institutional grants and in project-focused support. In 2024, it awarded $948,440 to EBCI Division of Commerce for economic development and $159,500 to Cherokee Boys Club for economic development. Environmental preservation is another active area. The foundation granted $135,089 to North Carolina State University in 2024 for environmental preservation, and $77,500 to Mainstring Conservation Trust in 2023 for environmental preservation. Leadership development also appears through the Jones-Bowman Leadership Award for undergraduate Cherokee students.
Typical grant size sits at $16,624 at the 25th percentile, $67,492 at the median, and $156,259 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list shows both large institutional awards and smaller program grants, with general grantmaking categories listed at $500–$20,000. Recipients appear across multiple years, including Cherokee Boys Club, The Sequoyah Fund Inc, Museum of the Cherokee Indian, North Carolina State University, and Community Foundation of Wnc, which points to recurring support rather than one-off funding only. The foundation also accepts unsolicited requests in several active programs, including general grantmaking, economic and workforce development grants, environmental preservation grants, and the Jones-Bowman Leadership Award.
$5.5M
$70.7M
$9.8M
$7.1M
Most grants fall between $17K and $156K, with a median of $67K.
25th Percentile
$17K
Median
$67K
75th Percentile
$156K
BOBBIE RAINES
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Giving is overwhelmingly local: 95% of grants go to recipients in North Carolina, and the top giving state is NC. Most recent grants land in Cherokee, including EBCI Division of Commerce, The Sequoyah Fund Inc., Cherokee Boys Club, Cherokee Historical Association, Museum of the Cherokee Indian, and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The foundation also funds nearby western North Carolina communities such as Asheville, Cullowhee, Robbinsville, Franklin, and Raleigh. Its regional programs extend across counties around the Qualla Boundary, including Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties.
Its stated focus areas include cultural preservation, Cherokee language revitalization, leadership development, economic development and entrepreneurship, tourism, downtown revitalization, STEM and technology in schools, environmental preservation, natural resource stewardship, and youth development. Recent grants show these priorities in practice through support for Cherokee institutions, economic development organizations, schools, and environmental partners.
Yes. Several active programs are marked as accepting unsolicited requests, including general grantmaking, economic and workforce development grants, environmental preservation grants, and the Jones-Bowman Leadership Award. The foundation also lists regional catalyst funding and other program areas that support community projects in western North Carolina.
The reported grant-size distribution is $16,624 at the 25th percentile, $67,492 at the median, and $156,259 at the 75th percentile. Active small-grant categories are also listed at $500–$20,000, which suggests the foundation makes both project-level and larger institutional awards.
Recipients are overwhelmingly in North Carolina, with 95% of grants going to recipients in the state. The most frequent recipient city in the recent grants list is Cherokee, with additional grants going to Asheville, Cullowhee, Robbinsville, Franklin, and Raleigh.
Yes. Cherokee Boys Club appears multiple times across 2023 and 2024 in both cultural preservation and economic development. Other repeat recipients include The Sequoyah Fund Inc., Museum of the Cherokee Indian, North Carolina State University, and Community Foundation of Wnc, which indicates ongoing relationships with selected organizations.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Cherokee Preservation Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Projects must enhance community quality of life, have broad community involvement in development, and be available for significant community usage. Applicants must meet the Foundation's regional, EBCI benefit, and EBCI involvement requirements.
Deadline: Grant dates are the first Monday of December and June.
Who can apply: Applicants must be located on the Qualla Boundary or in Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, or Swain County, or serve people of this region. Proposed work must directly benefit members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), involve EBCI members in planning and implementation, and fit at least one Foundation focus area. Regional entities must form a collaborative partnership with the EBCI.
Deadline: Grant dates are the first Monday of December and June.
Who can apply: Applicants must be located in the Qualla Boundary or the seven western North Carolina counties, or serve the region. Proposed work must directly benefit EBCI members, involve EBCI members in planning and implementation, and align with a Foundation focus area.
Deadline: Grant dates are the first Monday of December and June.
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EBCI DIVISION OF COMMERCE | Cherokee, NC | $1,075,000 | 2026 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB | Cherokee, NC | $975,000 | 2026 | ENVIROMENTAL PRESERVATION |
| CHEROKEE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION | CHEROKEE, NC | $698,000 | 2026 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| THE SEQUOYAH FUND INC | CHEROKEE, NC | $533,181 | 2026 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| MUSEUM OF THE CHEROKEE | Cherokee, NC | $500,000 | 2026 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB | CHEROKEE, NC | $336,872 | 2026 | CULTURAL PRESERVATION |
| WCU CHEROKEE STUDIES | Cullowhee, NC | $223,014 | 2026 | CULTURAL PRESERVATION |
| WESTERN REGION EDU SRV ALLIANCE | Asheville, NC | $206,855 | 2026 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB | Cherokee, NC | $198,924 | 2026 | CULTURAL PRESERVATION |
| CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB | Cherokee, NC | $133,329 | 2026 | CULTRUAL PRESERVATION |
| SNOWBIRD CHEROKEE TRADITIONS CORP | ROBBINSVILLE, NC | $115,250 | 2026 | CULTURAL PRESRVATION |
| THE CENTER OF NATIVE HEALTH | Whittier, NC | $114,300 | 2026 | ENVIROMENTAL PRESERVATION |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WNC | Asheville, NC | $88,200 | 2026 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| QUALLA ARTS & CRAFTS | Cherokee, NC | $58,086 | 2026 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| CONSERVING CAROLINA | Hendersonville, NC | $49,500 | 2026 | ENVIROMENTAL PRESERVATION |
| MUSEUM OF THE CHEROKEE PEOPLE | CHEROKEE, NC | $40,000 | 2026 | CULTURAL PRESERVATION |
| UWENA INC | Cherokee, NC | $30,000 | 2026 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| RIVERLINK INC | ASHEVILLE, NC | $20,000 | 2026 | ENVIROMENTAL PRESERVATION |
| CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB | Cherokee, NC | $19,965 | 2026 | CULTURAL PRESERVATION |
| EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS | CHEROKEE, NC | $15,000 | 2026 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| WATERSHED ASSOC TUCKASEGEE RIVER | Bryson City, NC | $14,000 | 2026 | ENVIROMENTALPRESERVATION |
| MOUNTAIN DISCOVERY CHARTER SCHOOL | Bryson City, NC | $7,860 | 2026 | CULTURAL PRESERVATION |
| EBCI DIVISION OF COMMERCE | CHEROKEE, NC | $948,440 | 2024 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| THE SEQUOYAH FUND INC | CHEROKEE, NC | $632,330 | 2024 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB | CHEROKEE, NC | $528,000 | 2024 | CULTURAL PRESERVATION |
| CHEROKEE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION | CHEROKEE, NC | $418,395 | 2024 | CULTURAL PRESERVATION |
| EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS | CHEROKEE, NC | $362,500 | 2024 | CULTURAL PRESERVATION |
| CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB | CHEROKEE, NC | $315,295 | 2024 | CULTURAL PRESRVATION |
| MUSEUM OF THE CHEROKEE INDIAN | CHEROKEE, NC | $291,000 | 2024 | CULTURAL PRESERVATION |
| CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB | CHEROKEE, NC | $280,830 | 2024 | CULTURAL PRESERVATION |
| WESTERN NC REGIONAL EDUCATION | ASHEVILLE, NC | $171,007 | 2024 | CULTURAL PRESERVATION |
| CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB | CHEROKEE, NC | $159,500 | 2024 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB | CHEROKEE, NC | $149,835 | 2024 | CULTURAL PRESERVATION |
| NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY | RALEIGH, NC | $135,089 | 2024 | ENVIROMENTAL PRESERVATION |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WNC | ASHEVILLE, NC | $114,500 | 2024 | CULTURAL PRESERVATION |
| NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY | RALEIGH, NC | $101,055 | 2024 | CULTURAL PRESERVATION |
| SNOWBIRD CHEROKEE TRADITION CORP | ROBBINSVILLE, NC | $78,000 | 2024 | CULTURAL PRESERVATION |
| CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB | CHEROKEE, NC | $70,000 | 2024 | EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES |
| WCU COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES | CULLOWHEE, NC | $40,000 | 2024 | CULTURAL PRESERVATION |
| CHEROKEE INDIAN HOSPITAL | CHEROKEE, NC | $39,630 | 2024 | CULTURAL PRESERVATION |
| THE SEQUOYAH FUND | CHEROKEE, NC | $20,972 | 2024 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| THE SEQUOYAH FUND | CHEROKEE, NC | $20,630 | 2024 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| RIVERLINK INC | ASHEVILLE, NC | $20,500 | 2024 | ENVIROMENTAL PRESERVATION |
| THE CENTER OF NATIVE HEALTH | WHITTIER, NC | $20,000 | 2024 | CULTURAL PRESERVATION |
| THE NC ARBORETUM SOCIETY | ASHEVILLE, NC | $17,476 | 2024 | ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION |
| THE NC INTERNATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL | WAYNESVILLE, NC | $16,600 | 2024 | CULTURAL PRESERVATION |
| WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY | CULLOWHEE, NC | $11,352 | 2024 | ENVIROMENTAL PRESERVATION |
| THE SEQUOYAH FUND | CHEROKEE, NC | $8,900 | 2024 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| CHATTOOGA CONSERVANCY | CLAYTON, GA | $7,000 | 2024 | CULTURAL PRESERVATION |
| CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB | CHEROKEE, NC | $5,000 | 2024 | ENVIROMENTALPRESERVATION |
EBCI DIVISION OF COMMERCE
$1,075,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB
$975,000ENVIROMENTAL PRESERVATION
CHEROKEE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
$698,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
THE SEQUOYAH FUND INC
$533,181ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB
$336,872CULTURAL PRESERVATION
WCU CHEROKEE STUDIES
$223,014CULTURAL PRESERVATION
WESTERN REGION EDU SRV ALLIANCE
$206,855ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB
$198,924CULTURAL PRESERVATION
CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB
$133,329CULTRUAL PRESERVATION
SNOWBIRD CHEROKEE TRADITIONS CORP
$115,250CULTURAL PRESRVATION
QUALLA ARTS & CRAFTS
$58,086ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
UWENA INC
$30,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB
$19,965CULTURAL PRESERVATION
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
$15,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
WATERSHED ASSOC TUCKASEGEE RIVER
$14,000ENVIROMENTALPRESERVATION
MOUNTAIN DISCOVERY CHARTER SCHOOL
$7,860CULTURAL PRESERVATION
EBCI DIVISION OF COMMERCE
$948,440ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
THE SEQUOYAH FUND INC
$632,330ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB
$528,000CULTURAL PRESERVATION
CHEROKEE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
$418,395CULTURAL PRESERVATION
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
$362,500CULTURAL PRESERVATION
CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB
$315,295CULTURAL PRESRVATION
CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB
$280,830CULTURAL PRESERVATION
WESTERN NC REGIONAL EDUCATION
$171,007CULTURAL PRESERVATION
CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB
$159,500ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB
$149,835CULTURAL PRESERVATION
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
$135,089ENVIROMENTAL PRESERVATION
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
$101,055CULTURAL PRESERVATION
SNOWBIRD CHEROKEE TRADITION CORP
$78,000CULTURAL PRESERVATION
CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB
$70,000EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
WCU COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
$40,000CULTURAL PRESERVATION
CHEROKEE INDIAN HOSPITAL
$39,630CULTURAL PRESERVATION
THE SEQUOYAH FUND
$20,972ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
THE SEQUOYAH FUND
$20,630ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
THE NC ARBORETUM SOCIETY
$17,476ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION
THE NC INTERNATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL
$16,600CULTURAL PRESERVATION
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
$11,352ENVIROMENTAL PRESERVATION
THE SEQUOYAH FUND
$8,900ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CHATTOOGA CONSERVANCY
$7,000CULTURAL PRESERVATION
CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB
$5,000ENVIROMENTALPRESERVATION
