Regional Affiliate Foundations and Grantmaking
Our Regional Grantmaking
Led by local boards of advisors, our 13 regional affiliates share our vision to inspire philanthropy and invest in their unique communities.
FFTC supports the work of our affiliates by engaging local leaders, managing endowments and facilitating grantmaking. Together, we provide philanthropic solutions to address community issues and invest in the important work of local nonprofits.
Wherever you call home, explore how you can support the communities and causes you care about most.
Learn about grantmaking in specific communities below, as well as how we're investing in transformative initiatives across our region.
Our Regional Affiliates
The Cabarrus County Community Foundation was established in 1989 by local leaders to encourage philanthropy and secure resources to address local issues. The Foundation brings together charitable donors, community leaders and nonprofits to make positive impacts in Cabarrus County, N.C.
Led by a local board of advisors, the Foundation has awarded more than $2.5 million in grants to area nonprofits since inception. In addition to the endowments that support local grantmaking, over $11 million in charitable assets – typically comprised of individual, family and nonprofits funds – are affiliated with the Foundation.
With continued support from generous donors, the Cabarrus County Community Foundation can continue building on this spirit of philanthropy for generations to come.
Board of Advisors:
Trenton Whalen, Chair, Fifth Third Private Bank
Eric Dearmon, Vice Chair, Truist Investment Services
Judge Juanita Boger-Allen, Cabarrus County District Court Judge
Roger Haas, Civic Leader
Tim Hagler, Civic Leader
Judge William G. Hamby, Jr., Civic Leader
Dr. Chris Lowder, Civic Leader
Jay McKinney, Barnabas Capital LLC
Marie McLucas, Primax Properties
Courtney Neal, Civic Leader
Tanya Oesterreich, Oesterreich Law PLLC
Van W. Shaw, Cabarrus County Sheriff
Dr. Dianne Snyder, Civic Leader
Keith Sides, Civic Leader
Katie Warlick, CPA, MBA, DeAnna Ford CPA
Contact
Nicole Fote
Assistant Vice President, Community Programs & Civic Leadership
704.973.4559
Contact
Established in 2001, Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation is the primary grantmaking arm of Foundation For The Carolinas and is led by a local board of advisors.
Board of Advisors:
Tanya Blackmon, Chair, Auspen Consulting, LLC
Erin Barbee, DreamKey Partners
Michael Campagna, Civic Leader
Claude Close, Springsteen Capital
Leah Davis, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Miriam Espaillat, Raydal Hospitality
Sil Ganzó, ourBRIDGE for KIDS
Seemantini Godbole, Lowe’s
Shawn Heath, City of Charlotte
Dominique Johnson, Duke Energy
Jamall Kinard, Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance
Joan Lorden, Civic Leader
Valecia McDowell, Moore & Van Allen
Al McMillian, AvidXchange
Corey Mitchell, Theatre Gap Initiative
Dee O’Dell, US Bank
Mike Rizer, Ally Bank
Jenny Ward, Bank of America
Lucia Zapata-Griffith, METRO Landmarks
Trustee Emeritus
We honor the life and longtime service of William M. Barnhardt, a dedicated member of this board from 2005-2021.
Contact
Federico Rios
Senior Vice President, Robinson Center for Civic Leadership
704.973.4513
The Cherokee County Community Foundation was established in 1994 by local leaders to encourage philanthropy and secure resources to address local issues. The Foundation brings together charitable donors, community leaders and nonprofits to make positive impacts in Cherokee County, S.C.
Led by a local board of advisors, the Foundation has awarded nearly $200,000 in grants to area nonprofits since inception. In addition to the endowments that support local grantmaking, nearly $4 million in charitable assets – typically comprised of individual, family and nonprofits funds – are affiliated with the Foundation.
With continued support from generous donors, the Cherokee County Community Foundation can continue building on this spirit of philanthropy for generations to come.
Board of Advisors:
Charles Wyatt, Chair, Limestone College
Michael Bridges, Vice Chair, Concord Baptist Church
Barry Morgan, Immediate Past Chair, First Piedmont Bank
Marcus Bradley, Civic Leader
Reed Brown, Brown Packing Co., Inc.
Kelly Curtis, Limestone University
Troy Gaffney, Civic Leader
Christine Little Gregory, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System
Rick Jiran, Duke Energy South Carolina
Ben Kochenower CPA, Cline Brandt Kochenower & Co, P.A.
LeighAnn Moon, City of Gaffney
David Shehan, Keystone Constructors, Inc.
Cody Sossamon, The Gaffney Ledger
David Stepp, Daddy Joe’s Beach House BBQ & Grill
Candace Waters, Palmetto Christian Academy of Gaffney
Jonathon Will, WestRock
Trustee Emeritus
John Travers (1995 to 2023), Civic Leader
Contact
The Cleveland County Community Foundation was established in 1985 by local leaders to encourage philanthropy and secure resources to address local issues. The Foundation brings together charitable donors, community leaders and nonprofits to make positive impacts in Cleveland County, N.C.
Led by a local board of advisors, the Foundation has awarded more than $350,000 in grants to area nonprofits since inception. In addition to the endowments that support local grantmaking, more than $6.5 million in charitable assets – typically comprised of individual, family and nonprofits funds – are affiliated with the Foundation.
With continued support from generous donors, the Cleveland County Community Foundation can continue building on this spirit of philanthropy for generations to come.
Board of Advisors:
Jason Winn, Chair, Winn Financial Services
Jennie Lambert, Vice Chair, Civic Leader
David Schweppe, Immediate Past Chair, The Schweppe Law Firm, P.A.
Frank Bonner, President Emeritus, Gardner-Webb University
Spencer Borders, Foothills Commercial Real Estate
Paul Brintley, Fellowship Church
Gina Carter, Child Care Connection of Cleveland County
Tropzie McCluney, Civic Leader
Jack Weller, Civic Leader
Contact
The Foundation for Richmond County merged with The Cole Foundation in 2015. Together they have awarded more than $31 million in grants to local nonprofits.
Contact
Federico Rios
Senior Vice President, Robinson Center for Civic Leadership
704.973.4513
The Iredell County Community Foundation was established in 1989 by local leaders to encourage philanthropy and secure resources to address local issues. The Foundation brings together charitable donors, community leaders and nonprofits to make positive impacts in Iredell County, N.C.
Led by a local board of advisors, the Foundation has awarded more than $2.7 million in grants to area nonprofits since inception. In addition to the endowments that support local grantmaking, nearly $15 million in charitable assets – typically comprised of individual, family and nonprofits funds – are affiliated with the Foundation.
With continued support from generous donors, the Iredell County Community Foundation can continue building on this spirit of philanthropy for generations to come.
Board of Advisors:
Doug McCracken, Chair, Retired, Deloitte Consulting
Lisa McBane, Vice Chair, Bluewater Partners, LLC
Costi Kutteh, Immediate Past Chair, Pope, McMillian P.A.
Daniel Chambers, Civic Leader
William M. Jones, Jr., Civic Leader
Bill Leach, Civic Leader
Marc Long, Civic Leader
Freddie Morrison, Civic Leader
Molly Nicholson, Mitchell Community College
Maria Haughton Roberson, Civic Leader
Estelle Stinchcomb, Retired Educator
Dr. Peggy Willhide, Civic Leader
Contact
Nicole Fote
Assistant Vice President, Community Programs & Civic Leadership
704.973.4559
Contact
The Lancaster County Community Foundation was established in 1988 by local leaders to encourage philanthropy and secure resources to address local issues. The Foundation brings together charitable donors, community leaders and nonprofits to make positive impacts in Lancaster County, S.C.
Led by a local board of advisors, the Foundation has awarded more than $270,000 in grants to area nonprofits since inception. In addition to the endowments that support local grantmaking, over $2.3 million in charitable assets – typically comprised of individual, family and nonprofits funds – are affiliated with the Foundation.
With continued support from generous donors, the Lancaster County Community Foundation can continue building on this spirit of philanthropy for generations to come.
Board of Advisors:
Phil Neely, Chair, Civic Leader
Jill Newman, Vice Chair, Lancaster County
Erick Crawford, Crawford Funeral Home
Andy Davis, Thompson & Davis CPA
John McCain, Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Babette Sabia, Civic Leader
Steve Sherrill, First Citizens Bank
David Tolson, Civic Leader
Fred Witherspoon, The W Group
Trustee Emeritus
Robert Folks, Folks & DeVenny, LLC
Contact
The Lexington Area Community Foundation was established in 1996 by local leaders to encourage philanthropy and secure resources to address local issues. The Foundation brings together charitable donors, community leaders and nonprofits to make positive impacts in Lexington, N.C.
Led by a local board of advisors, the Foundation has awarded more than $150,000 in grants to area nonprofits since inception. In addition to the endowments that support local grantmaking, more than $3 million in charitable assets – typically comprised of individual, family and nonprofits funds – are affiliated with the Foundation.
With continued support from generous donors, the Lexington Area Community Foundation can continue building on this spirit of philanthropy for generations to come.
Board of Advisors:
Burr Sullivan, Chair, Civic Leader
Teenie Tilley, Immediate Past Chair, Civic Leader
Mike Albert, Entrepreneurial Resources, LLC
Laurie Briggs, Civic Leader
Ed Jordan, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Tom Smith, Smith Leonard PLLC
Robin Team, Front Street Capital
Jane Whitehurst, Civic Leader
Contact
The Lincoln County Community Foundation was established in 2001 by local leaders to encourage philanthropy and secure resources to address local issues. The Foundation brings together charitable donors, community leaders and nonprofits to make positive impacts in Lincoln County, N.C.
Led by a local board of advisors, the Foundation has awarded more than $340,000 in grants to area nonprofits since inception. In addition to the endowments that support local grantmaking, more than $3.1 million in charitable assets – typically comprised of individual, family and nonprofits funds – are affiliated with the Foundation.
With continued support from generous donors, the Lincoln County Community Foundation can continue building on this spirit of philanthropy for generations to come.
Board of Advisors:
Joe Lampron, Chair, Civic Leader
Bryan Beal, Vice Chair, Carolina Mills, Inc.
Willie Heafner, Immediate Past Chair, Piedmont Companies Incorporated
Loretta A. Beam, Retired Educator & Church Musician
Walter Clark, Civic Leader
Trudie Crawford, MA LCMHC, NCC, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Marti Hovis, Civic Leader
Erma Deen Hoyle, Civic Leader
Mark L. Mullen, Citizens Insurance Agency
Panico Peres, No Borders Consulting Group
Chris Rhyne, Chris Rhyne Financial Management
Teresa Watson, Atrium Health-Lincoln
Trustees Emeriti
Daniel Barefoot, Civic Leader
Diane Hunter Boyd, Civic Leader
Jerry Cochrane, Civic Leader
Sylvia Holmes, Civic Leader
Richard Jonas, Civic Leader
Sam King, Civic Leader
Chip Stroup, Civic Leader
Mollie Warlick, Civic Leader
Rosalind Welder, Civic Leader
Contact
Nicole Fote
Assistant Vice President, Community Programs & Civic Leadership
704.973.4559
Contact
The Salisbury-Rowan Community Foundation was established in 1944 by local leaders to encourage philanthropy and secure resources to address local issues. The Foundation brings together charitable donors, community leaders and nonprofits to make positive impacts in Salisbury, N.C.
Led by a local board of advisors, the Foundation has awarded more than $8 million in grants to area nonprofits since inception. In addition to the endowments that support local grantmaking, more than $25 million in charitable assets – typically comprised of individual, family and nonprofits funds – are affiliated with the Foundation.
With continued support from generous donors, the Salisbury-Rowan Community Foundation can continue building on this spirit of philanthropy for generations to come.
Board of Advisors:
Bryan Overcash, Chair, Global Contact Services
Gwin Barr, Immediate Past Chair, Co-founder, Rowan County Crosby Scholars Community Partnership
Karen Alexander, Mayor, City of Salisbury
Laura Davis, Civic Leader
Greg Edds, Rowan County Board of Commissioners
Darrell Hancock, R. Darrell Hancock, Atty At Law
Catrelia Hunter, Civic Leader
Alan King, Civic Leader
Daniel Matangira, Matangira Recycling
Deborah Messinger, Civic Leader
LaSheka Walker, Catawba College
Lauren Whaley, Carolinas Credit Union Foundation
Whitney Wallace Williams, Wallace & Graham
Contact
The Stanly County Community Foundation was established in 1999 by local leaders to encourage philanthropy and secure resources to address local issues. The Foundation brings together charitable donors, community leaders and nonprofits to make positive impacts in Stanly County, N.C.
Led by a local board of advisors, the Foundation has awarded more than $800,000 in grants to area nonprofits since inception. In addition to the endowments that support local grantmaking, nearly $11 million in charitable assets – typically comprised of individual, family and nonprofits funds – are affiliated with the Foundation.
With continued support from generous donors, the Stanly County Community Foundation can continue building on this spirit of philanthropy for generations to come.
Board of Advisors:
Roger Dick, Chair, CEO of Uwharrie Bank
Brooke Senter, Vice Chair, Uwharrie Bank
Paul Childress, Immediate Past Chair, Childress Insurance Partners
Dawn Allen, GHA Autism Supports
Merlin Amirtharaj, Civic Leader
Christopher Bennett, Elite Care Services
Razan Brown, Civic Leader
David H. Hill, Seven Oaks Doors & Hardware
Martha Hughes, Civic Leader
Art Rogers, Civic Leader
Marshall Rogers, Civic Leader
Ed Shimpock, Retired, Seven Oaks Doors & Hardware
Trustee Emeritus
William Grigg, Retired, Duke Energy
Contact
The Union County Community Foundation was established in 1989 by local leaders to encourage philanthropy and secure resources to address local issues. The Foundation brings together charitable donors, community leaders and nonprofits to make positive impacts in Union County, N.C.
Led by a local board of advisors, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.4 million in grants to area nonprofits since inception. In addition to the endowments that support local grantmaking, more than $7 million in charitable assets – typically comprised of individual, family and nonprofits funds – are affiliated with the Foundation.
With continued support from generous donors, the Union County Community Foundation can continue building on this spirit of philanthropy for generations to come.
Board of Advisors:
Randy Adcock, Chair, American Bank
Pat Kahle, Vice Chair, Union County Chamber of Commerce
Lisa Biehl, Civic Leader
Ron Brown, State Utility Contractors
James Bullock, Wingate University
Shane Fraser, SNA Today
Seth Goldwire, Atrium Health Union West
Linda Hastings, School Teacher
Todd Johnson, Johnson Insurance Management
Yorda Kidane, Digital Tax Advisory
Sam Starnes, Circle S. Ranch
Jake Thomas, Union Power Cooperative
Joan White, Aramark Healthcare
John Whitley, Civic Leader
We honor the life and longtime service of David Lee, a dedicated member of this board from 2017-2022.
Contact
Nicole Fote
Assistant Vice President, Community Programs & Civic Leadership
704.973.4559
Contact
The York County Community Foundation was established in 1988 by local leaders to encourage philanthropy and secure resources to address local issues. The Foundation brings together charitable donors, community leaders and nonprofits to make positive impacts in York County, S.C.
Led by a local board of advisors, the Foundation has awarded more than $990,000 in grants to area nonprofits since inception. In addition to the endowments that support local grantmaking, nearly $30 million in charitable assets – typically comprised of individual, family and nonprofits funds – are affiliated with the Foundation.
With continued support from generous donors, the York County Community Foundation can continue building on this spirit of philanthropy for generations to come.
Board of Advisors:
Shaun Barnes, Chair, Comporium Communications
Craig Craze, Vice Chair, Indigo Rush
Nikki Blanco, South State Bank
K.C. Brown, Lone Buffalo
Chrissy Catoe, USA Insulation of Charlotte
Chris Farris, Christopher O. Farris CPA
Ryan Gill, Gill Insurance
Michelle Guissinger, Carroll Financial Associates
Amy Hagner, York School District One
Marc Howie, York Electric Cooperative
Nicki McBrayer Nash, Founders Federal Credit Union
Trustee Emeritus
Harry Dalton, Sr., Retired, Caraustar Industries
Contact
Nicole Fote
Assistant Vice President, Community Programs & Civic Leadership
704.973.4559
Contact
2023 Council of Regional Chairs
Board chairs from each of our 13 affiliates serve on FFTC’s Council of Regional Chairs.
Trenton Whalen, Cabarrus County Community Foundation
Tanya Blackmon, Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation
Charles Wyatt, Cherokee County Community Foundation
Jason Winn, Cleveland County Community Foundation
Sandy Ridley, The Cole Foundation, Richmond County
Doug McCracken, Iredell County Community Foundation
Phil Neely, Lancaster County Community Foundation
Burr Sullivan, Lexington Area Community Foundation
Joe Lampron, Lincoln County Community Foundation
Bryan Overcash, Salisbury-Rowan Community Foundation
Roger Dick, Stanly County Community Foundation
Randy Adcock, Union County Community Foundation
Shaun Barnes, York County Community Foundation