To support charitable and beneficial activities in the community; provide and administer a variety of planned giving programs; serve as a responsible steward of all funds entrusted to it; and provide initiative in recognizing areas of community needs and supporting solutions.
A defining thread in Polk County Community Foundation Inc’s grantmaking is the mix of community facilities, human services, and long-horizon local assets. In 2025, the foundation directed $302,630 to Conserving Carolina for land conservation, paired with $254,358 to Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry for food distribution, housing, medical, and financial assistance. Those awards sit alongside support for schools, arts centers, and health institutions, showing a portfolio built around everyday needs and community infrastructure. The foundation’s recent grants also show strong support for Polk County’s civic and cultural organizations. Polk County Schools received $229,182 for gifted camps, band, field trips, internships, teacher conferences, educational travel, community partnerships, mentoring, and special projects. Tryon Fine Arts Center received $170,009 for community arts center programs, operations, and facilities, while St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation received $64,504 for health programs, equipment, and operations. Through these grants, Polk County Community Foundation Inc works through multiple channels: competitive grants, endowed funds, donor-advised grants, designated gifts, and scholarships. The result is a pattern that reaches nonprofits, schools, churches, and local agencies across Polk County and nearby communities.
Land conservation is one of the clearest themes in the foundation’s recent giving. Conserving Carolina received $302,630 for land conservation, and Saluda Community Land Trust Inc received $49,134 for land conservation and community programs in the greater Saluda area. The Bradley Breakthrough Community Benefit Grants program also points to long-term, strategic community projects. Food security and emergency basic needs appear in several grants. Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry received $254,358 for food distribution, housing, medical, and financial assistance, and another grant of $121,000 for food, housing, medical, and home repair. Steps to Hope Inc received $61,039 for domestic violence victims shelter operations and programs. Education and youth programs are another recurring area. Polk County Schools received $229,182 for gifted camps, band programs, field trips, internships, teacher conferences, educational travel, community partnerships, mentoring, and special projects. The foundation also supports scholarships and a student intern program, both tied to local students and youth opportunities.
$3.1M
$76.8M
$8.2M
$4.3M
Most grants fall between $9K and $75K, with a median of $18K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$18K
75th Percentile
$75K
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Typical grant sizes cluster around a median of $18,250, with the 25th percentile at $8,810 and the 75th percentile at $75,116. That spread indicates a mix of smaller community grants and larger awards for facilities, programs, and endowment payouts. The foundation operates as a public charity and uses multiple grant channels, including competitive grants, donor-advised distributions, designated funds, and endowed fund payouts. Recent awards show repeat support to the same organizations across years, including Polk County Schools, Tryon Fine Arts Center, Tryon Arts & Crafts Inc, St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation, and Steps to Hope Inc.
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local, with 90% of grants going to recipients in North Carolina. Polk County cities anchor much of the activity, including Tryon, Columbus, and Saluda. Recent grants also reached nearby Hendersonville and Asheville in North Carolina, and Landrum in South Carolina. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 74 grants recorded in the United States.
Recipients include nonprofits, schools, churches, local government, and community agencies. Recent grants went to Polk County Schools, Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry, Tryon Fine Arts Center, St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation, and Steps to Hope Inc, showing support for education, human services, arts, health, and community facilities.
The typical grant size sits at a median of $18,250, with a 25th percentile of $8,810 and a 75th percentile of $75,116. The pattern includes both smaller awards and larger grants for capital, operating, and endowment-related support.
Most grants go to North Carolina recipients, and 90% of grants are in the foundation’s HQ state. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with a small number of recent grants also going to nearby Landrum, South Carolina.
The foundation supports general community development, disaster recovery and relief, education and scholarships, arts and culture, health and human services, capacity building for local nonprofits, land conservation, food security, housing and shelter, healthcare services, and broadband and community infrastructure.
Yes for several programs. The Student Intern Program, Competitive Grantmaking, Bradley Breakthrough Community Benefit Grants, Scholarships, Donor Advised Fund Grants/Recommendations, AFS Global Scholars, and Disaster Recovery Grants are all marked as accepting unsolicited applications or participation; Designated Fund Grants and Endowment Fund Grants are not.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Polk County Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Local nonprofits may apply for funding to join the N.C. Center for Nonprofits.
Deadline: Not specified.
Who can apply: You must be an existing Donor Advised Fund holder with the Polk County Community Foundation to recommend distributions. Recipients should be eligible charitable organizations.
Deadline: Not specified; process is initiated by fundholders (form-based).
Who can apply: Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or public agency serving Polk County, NC and/or Landrum, SC residents, and must be pre-approved to apply for the Foundation's competitive grants.
Deadline: Rolling basis.
Who can apply: Organizations must have an unexpected opportunity to conserve land in Polk County.
Deadline: Not specified.
Who can apply: Organizations may seek support for pressing or compelling situations not addressed by other Foundation grant programs.
Deadline: Outside normal grantmaking cycles; no fixed deadline stated.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THERMAL BELT OUTREACH MINISTRY INC | COLUMBUS, NC | $320,888 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR FOOD DISTRIBUTION, HOUSING, MEDICAL & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE IN NEED |
| POLK COUNTY SCHOOLS | COLUMBUS, SC | $276,708 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR GIFTED CAMPS, BAND PROGRAM, FIELD TRIPS, INTERNSHIPS, TEACHER CONFERENCES & EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, MENTORING & SPECIAL PROJECTS |
| FENCE | TRYON, NC | $203,775 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR 400+ ACRE NATURE & EQUESTRIAN CENTER |
| HOPEFUL RESTORATION GROUP | LITTLE RIVER, SC | $200,000 | 2026 | DONOR ADVISED FUND DISTRUBUTION TO SUPPORT STORM RECOVERY IN POLK COUNTY |
| SUNNY VIEW CLUBHOUSE | MILL SPRING, NC | $186,900 | 2026 | SUPPORT COMMUNITY CENTER IMPROVEMENTS & PROGRAMS |
| TRYON FINE ARTS CENTER | TRYON, NC | $155,754 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER PROGRAMS, OPERATIONS & FACILITIES |
| TRYON ARTS & CRAFTS INC | TRYON, NC | $134,818 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY EVENTS, OPERATIONS & FACILITIES |
| CONSERVING CAROLINA | HENDERSONVILLE, NC | $110,555 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR LAND CONSERVATION |
| EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS | TRYON, NC | $97,710 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND DISTRIBUTIONS FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TRYON LITTLE THEATER INC | TRYON, NC | $89,610 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR THEATER PROGRAMS & COMMUNITY CENTER |
| WALNUT CREEK PRESERVE | RUTHERFORDTON, NC | $89,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF WALNUT CREEK PRESERVE |
| SALUDA COMMUNITY LAND TRUST INC | SALUDA, NC | $86,500 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR LAND CONSERVATION & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS IN THE GREATER SALUDA AREA |
| MOUNTAIN TRUE | ASHEVILLE, NC | $83,300 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL & CONSERVATION EFFORTS |
| LANIER LIBRARY ASSOCIATION | TRYON, NC | $82,789 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR LIBRARY PROGRAMS & FACILITIES |
| UPSTAIRS ARTSPACE | TRYON, NC | $79,381 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR ART GALLERY PROGRAMS, FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS |
| FOOTHILLS HUMANE SOCIETY INC | COLUMBUS, NC | $77,887 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR ANIMAL WELFARE IN POLK COUNTY |
| TRYON GARDEN CLUB INC | TRYON, NC | $75,851 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND DISTRIBUTIONS FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| STEPS TO HOPE INC | COLUMBUS, NC | $63,219 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS SHELTER OPERATIONS & PROGRAMS |
| ROSELAND COMMUNITY CENTER INC | TRYON, NC | $55,930 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY CENTER YOUTH & ADULT PROGRAMS |
| TRYON PAINTERS & SCULPTORS | TRYON, NC | $52,700 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR ART GALLERY PROGRAMS, FACILITIES & OPERATIONS |
| E-POLK INC | TRYON, NC | $45,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR NONPROFIT BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY |
| ST LUKE'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | COLUMBUS, NC | $44,904 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL COMMUNITY HEALTH PROGRAMS, EQUIPMENT & OPERATIONS |
| SALUDA POP-UP-PANTRY | SALUDA, NC | $37,750 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR FOOD PANTRY PROGRAMS |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF WNC - POLK COUNTY | TRYON, NC | $35,280 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR MENTORING PROGRAMS IN POLK COUNTY |
| POLK COUNTY GOVERNMENT | COLUMBUS, NC | $32,518 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR FARMERS MARKETS, RECREATION, AND LIBRARY PROGRAMS |
| THERMAL BELT FRIENDSHIP COUNCIL | LYNN, NC | $28,580 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS & OPERATIONS |
| APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE AG PROJECT | ASHEVILLE, NC | $25,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR STORM RECOVERY FOR FARMERS IN POLK COUNTY |
| PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES | ASHEVILLE, NC | $25,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR FREE LEGAL SERVICES |
| CHILDREN'S THEATER FESTIVAL | TRYON, NC | $22,726 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR ANNUAL SUPER SATURDAY EVENT |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | HENDERSONVILLE, NC | $21,860 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR SAFE & AFFORDABLE HOUSING |
| UNC - CHAPEL HILL | CHAPEL HILL, NC | $20,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR CAROLINA COLLEGE ADVISING CORPS PROGRAM IN POLK COUNTY SCHOOLS |
| TRYON DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT ASSOC | TRYON, NC | $19,700 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE, COMMUNITY EVENTS, AND BEAUTIFICATION |
| POLK COUNTY FILM INITIATIVE | TRYON, NC | $19,500 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR EDUCATIONAL FILMMAKING PROGRAMS |
| ST LUKE'S HOSPITAL | COLUMBUS, NC | $19,020 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND DISTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
| CHAMPIONS FOR WILDLIFE | LYNN, NC | $16,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR WILDLIFE EDUCATION |
| SALUDA DOWNTOWN FOUNDATION INC | SALUDA, NC | $15,834 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS & PROGRAMS |
| ROTARY CLUB OF TRYON FOUNDATION | TRYON, NC | $12,780 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND DISTRIBUTION FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DISTRICT ONE SCHOOLS | CAMPOBELLO, SC | $11,045 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR TEACHER CONFERENCES & EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL |
| TRYON CONCERT ASSOCIATION | TRYON, NC | $10,450 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY CONCERTS |
| YMCA OF GREATER SPARTANBURG | SPARTANBURG, SC | $9,550 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND & DONOR ADVISED FUND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SUPPORT NEW POLK COUNTY YMCA BUILDING |
| POLK COUNTY 4-H YOUTH FOUNDATION | COLUMBUS, NC | $8,845 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT & EDUCATION |
| NC CENTER FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF TEACHING | CULLOWHEE, NC | $8,500 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL TEACHERS ATTENDING NCCAT PROGRAMS. |
| MOUNTAIN PAGE THEATER | SALUDA, NC | $8,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY THEATER & YOUTH PROGRAMS |
| LANDRUM CITY OF | LANDRUM, SC | $7,800 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR FARMERS MARKETS |
| SALUDA HISTORIC DEPOT | SALUDA, NC | $7,660 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR HISTORY MUSEUM PROGRAMS & FACILITIES |
| TRYON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | TRYON, NC | $7,040 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SUPPORT TRYON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH |
| ASPIRE POLK COUNTY A CHILD & FAMILY PARTNERSHIP | COLUMBUS, NC | $6,735 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES |
| TOWN OF TRYON | TRYON, NC | $6,695 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS |
| SHAKESPEARE & FRIENDS | COLUMBUS, NC | $5,600 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY THEATER PROGRAMS |
| POLK CO CAMPUS ICC FOUNDATION INC | SPINDALE, NC | $5,100 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND DISTRIBUTIONS FOR NEW CENTURY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS |
SUPPORT FOR FOOD DISTRIBUTION, HOUSING, MEDICAL & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE IN NEED
POLK COUNTY SCHOOLS
$276,708SUPPORT FOR GIFTED CAMPS, BAND PROGRAM, FIELD TRIPS, INTERNSHIPS, TEACHER CONFERENCES & EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, MENTORING & SPECIAL PROJECTS
HOPEFUL RESTORATION GROUP
$200,000DONOR ADVISED FUND DISTRUBUTION TO SUPPORT STORM RECOVERY IN POLK COUNTY
SUNNY VIEW CLUBHOUSE
$186,900SUPPORT COMMUNITY CENTER IMPROVEMENTS & PROGRAMS
TRYON FINE ARTS CENTER
$155,754SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER PROGRAMS, OPERATIONS & FACILITIES
TRYON ARTS & CRAFTS INC
$134,818SUPPORT FOR ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY EVENTS, OPERATIONS & FACILITIES
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS
$97,710ENDOWMENT FUND DISTRIBUTIONS FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
TRYON LITTLE THEATER INC
$89,610SUPPORT FOR THEATER PROGRAMS & COMMUNITY CENTER
WALNUT CREEK PRESERVE
$89,000SUPPORT FOR THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF WALNUT CREEK PRESERVE
SALUDA COMMUNITY LAND TRUST INC
$86,500SUPPORT FOR LAND CONSERVATION & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS IN THE GREATER SALUDA AREA
LANIER LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
$82,789SUPPORT FOR LIBRARY PROGRAMS & FACILITIES
UPSTAIRS ARTSPACE
$79,381SUPPORT FOR ART GALLERY PROGRAMS, FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS
FOOTHILLS HUMANE SOCIETY INC
$77,887SUPPORT FOR ANIMAL WELFARE IN POLK COUNTY
TRYON GARDEN CLUB INC
$75,851ENDOWMENT FUND DISTRIBUTIONS FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
STEPS TO HOPE INC
$63,219SUPPORT FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS SHELTER OPERATIONS & PROGRAMS
ROSELAND COMMUNITY CENTER INC
$55,930SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY CENTER YOUTH & ADULT PROGRAMS
TRYON PAINTERS & SCULPTORS
$52,700SUPPORT FOR ART GALLERY PROGRAMS, FACILITIES & OPERATIONS
E-POLK INC
$45,000SUPPORT FOR NONPROFIT BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY
ST LUKE'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$44,904SUPPORT FOR ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL COMMUNITY HEALTH PROGRAMS, EQUIPMENT & OPERATIONS
SALUDA POP-UP-PANTRY
$37,750SUPPORT FOR FOOD PANTRY PROGRAMS
SUPPORT FOR MENTORING PROGRAMS IN POLK COUNTY
POLK COUNTY GOVERNMENT
$32,518SUPPORT FOR FARMERS MARKETS, RECREATION, AND LIBRARY PROGRAMS
THERMAL BELT FRIENDSHIP COUNCIL
$28,580SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS & OPERATIONS
APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE AG PROJECT
$25,000SUPPORT FOR STORM RECOVERY FOR FARMERS IN POLK COUNTY
CHILDREN'S THEATER FESTIVAL
$22,726SUPPORT FOR ANNUAL SUPER SATURDAY EVENT
UNC - CHAPEL HILL
$20,000SUPPORT FOR CAROLINA COLLEGE ADVISING CORPS PROGRAM IN POLK COUNTY SCHOOLS
TRYON DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT ASSOC
$19,700SUPPORT FOR CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE, COMMUNITY EVENTS, AND BEAUTIFICATION
POLK COUNTY FILM INITIATIVE
$19,500SUPPORT FOR EDUCATIONAL FILMMAKING PROGRAMS
ST LUKE'S HOSPITAL
$19,020ENDOWMENT FUND DISTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES
CHAMPIONS FOR WILDLIFE
$16,000SUPPORT FOR WILDLIFE EDUCATION
SALUDA DOWNTOWN FOUNDATION INC
$15,834SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS & PROGRAMS
ROTARY CLUB OF TRYON FOUNDATION
$12,780ENDOWMENT FUND DISTRIBUTION FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
DISTRICT ONE SCHOOLS
$11,045SUPPORT FOR TEACHER CONFERENCES & EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL
TRYON CONCERT ASSOCIATION
$10,450SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY CONCERTS
YMCA OF GREATER SPARTANBURG
$9,550ENDOWMENT FUND & DONOR ADVISED FUND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SUPPORT NEW POLK COUNTY YMCA BUILDING
POLK COUNTY 4-H YOUTH FOUNDATION
$8,845SUPPORT FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT & EDUCATION
NC CENTER FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF TEACHING
$8,500SUPPORT FOR LOCAL TEACHERS ATTENDING NCCAT PROGRAMS.
MOUNTAIN PAGE THEATER
$8,000SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY THEATER & YOUTH PROGRAMS
LANDRUM CITY OF
$7,800SUPPORT FOR FARMERS MARKETS
SALUDA HISTORIC DEPOT
$7,660SUPPORT FOR HISTORY MUSEUM PROGRAMS & FACILITIES
TRYON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$7,040ENDOWMENT FUND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SUPPORT TRYON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ASPIRE POLK COUNTY A CHILD & FAMILY PARTNERSHIP
$6,735SUPPORT FOR CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES
TOWN OF TRYON
$6,695SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS
SHAKESPEARE & FRIENDS
$5,600SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY THEATER PROGRAMS
POLK CO CAMPUS ICC FOUNDATION INC
$5,100ENDOWMENT FUND DISTRIBUTIONS FOR NEW CENTURY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS
