Buncombe Partnership for Children is a public charity based in Asheville, North Carolina. It works to strengthen educators, families, and the community so children have a strong foundation for learning and development beginning at birth.
Key facts about Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc
In short: Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc gave $2.8M across 53 grants in 2025 (avg $52K), mostly in North Carolina. 45% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 56-1942178
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,769,112
- Grants made (2025)
- 53
- Average grant
- $52,247
- Median grant
- $37,327
- New grantees (estimate)
- 45% first-time grantees (24 of 53, 2025)
- Total assets
- $2,070,254
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (95% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$2.1M
+86.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.8M
+1141.9% YoY
Grant Count
53
+231.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$52K
+274.9% YoY
Is Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc open to new grantees?
45%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 24 of 53 grantees (45%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $38K; repeat grants $64K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $43K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to strengthen the capacity of educators, families, and the community to build a strong foundation for children’s learning and development beginning at birth. Its 2024 filing describes fourteen programs focused on improving early care and education, increasing access to affordable, high-quality care, expanding early literacy, supporting children’s healthy development, and providing family support.
The organization’s 2025 grants included operational support for early childhood and educational organizations. For example, Hawthorn Montessori School describes its work as offering children an experience based on Maria Montessori’s principles and a community for families. Irene Wortham Center says it helps people with developmental and/or socioeconomic challenges lead healthy, happy, and more independent lives, including through a five-star-rated child care center. Asbury Preschool describes its program as early childhood education and socialization for children aged ten months through four years, including music, art, and kindergarten readiness.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 53 grants totaling $2,769,112. Grants ranged from $5,814 to $284,446, with a median of $37,327. Listed recipients include YMCA of Western NC ($284,446), Montessori Learning Center of Asheville ($134,657), Black Mountain Montessori School ($130,433), Eliada Child Development ($128,701), and Child Development Schools Inc. ($116,650). The listed grants were for operational support.
Review Cycle
on the last day of each month and winners announced mid-month. Its Shaping Buncombe program offers awards of $250 for each new best practice achieved, up to $1,000 per center, while funds are available. Applicants must submit pre- and post-assessments, an action plan, supporting documentation, and a technical-assistance evaluation; the guidelines state a June 1 annual deadline.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc
Ready to take the next step with Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s website describes its work as serving Buncombe County. In filing year 2025, 95% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina and 4% to recipients in Georgia; the remaining 1% is listed with the state unspecified. The Infant & Toddler Child Care Expansion Grant and Buncombe County Child Care Relief Fund specify Buncombe County, North Carolina, as their geographic scope.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 53 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $223K (2024) to $2.8M (2025). In 2025 it made 53 grants totaling $2.8M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was YMCA of Western NC ($284K). Together the top 10 received $1.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
144 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 118 grants of 144 (82%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| YMCA of Western NC Asheville, NC | Operational Support | $284,446 |
| Montessori Learning Center of Ashev Asheville, NC | Operational Support | $134,657 |
| Black Mountain Montessori School Black Mountain, NC | Operational Support | $130,433 |
| Eliada Child Development Asheville, NC | Operational Support | $128,701 |
| Child Development Schools Inc Columbus, GA | Operational Support | $116,650 |
| Emmanuel Lutheran School Asheville, NC | Operational Support | $112,977 |
| Creative Village Child Care Swannanoa, NC | Operational Support | $109,823 |
| The Goddard School of Asheville Alexander, NC | Operational Support | $102,590 |
| Asheville Jewish Community Asheville, NC | Operational Support | $94,820 |
| Christine Avery Learning Center Asheville, NC | Operational Support | $88,558 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants given |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,070,254 | $9,862,045 | $8,965,624 | $2,769,112 |
| 2024 | $1,109,510 | $6,632,007 | $6,679,704 | $222,976 |
| 2023 | $1,137,370 | $6,897,160 | $6,138,202 | $349,852 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,070,254 | $1,109,510 | $1,137,370 |
| Revenue | $9,862,045 | $6,632,007 | $6,897,160 |
| Expenses | $8,965,624 | $6,679,704 | $6,138,202 |
| Net Investment Income | $5,439 | $10,635 | $16,905 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 21, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Amy Barry (Executive DI), Carey Price (Finance Dire), Mary Arnold, Mary Lynn Barrett, Brandon Becker, Scott Burgess, Karen Miller Cowan, Joseph Fox, and Rev. Spencer Ellis Hardaway as directors, and Erin Leonard as vice-chair.
Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc is led by Carmen Ybarra, Chair since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 2 of 19 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Carmen Ybarra
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carey Price
Finance Director
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$64K (2020) → $86K (2025)
Anne Marie Lester
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brandon Becker
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Miller Cowan
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Arnold
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Spencer Ellis Hardaway
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christine Malloy
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jewel Tavener
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Peele
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Shelton
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrea Storck
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Fox
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Lynn Barrett
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Burgess
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William Scarborough
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Barry
Executive Di
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$85K (2020) → $99K (2025)
April Wright
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erin Leonard
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Deborah Calhoun (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Natasha Adwaters (2020–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Phillip Hardin (2020–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Turkessa Baten (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Nikita Smart (2024) — Director
- Former: Dawn Meskil (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Geny Hernandez Lopez (2023) — Director
- Former: Evodie Versullen (2021) — Director
- Former: Jennie Eblen (2020) — Director
- Former: Jesse Figuera (2020) — Director
- Former: Keith Arnold (2020) — Director
- Former: Michael Weizman (2020) — Director
- Former: Nelle Gregory (2020) — Director
- Former: Richard Caro (2020) — Director
- Former: Scott Workman (2020) — Director
- Former: William Gene Loflin (2020) — Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $99K, to Amy Barry (Executive Di). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 53 Asheland Avenue Suite 102 A, Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: (828) 407-2055
Website: https://buncombepfc.org
Frequently asked questions about Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc
How much does Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc give each year?
Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc gave $2.8M across 53 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $223K across 16 grants.
What is Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc's typical grant size?
Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc's median grant in 2025 was $37,327, and its average grant was $52,247, across 53 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc that year got $38K on average.
Where does Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc give grants?
Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc gives mostly in North Carolina: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Asheville, NC (35 grants), Arden, NC (5 grants), Swannanoa, NC (2 grants) and Alexander, NC (2 grants).
Does Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (53 of 53) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc's largest grantees?
Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc's largest 2025 grantees include YMCA of Western NC ($284,446), Montessori Learning Center of Ashev ($134,657) and Black Mountain Montessori School ($130,433), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc?
Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc reported $2.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $9.9M.
What does Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to strengthen the capacity of educators, families, and the community to build a strong foundation for children’s learning and development beginning at birth. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc?
Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check buncombepfc.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc's EIN?
Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-1942178. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Buncombe County Partnership for Children Inc by hand.
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