Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc
Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc is a public charity based in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Founded in 1982, it manages charitable funds established by individuals, families, organizations, and businesses, and distributes grants to support charitable purposes and scholarships for students.
Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc at a glance
In short: Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc gave $7.9M across 173 grants in 2025 (avg $46K), mostly in North Carolina. 36% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $7,876,988
- +82.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 173
- +35.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $45,532
- +34.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $168,191,298
- +14.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (62 of 172, 2025)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (89% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc
- How to Apply
-
The foundation provides an online grants portal. Its website lists Community Grants applications on a quarterly schedule, with deadlines of March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1. Field of Interest proposals are considered on a rolling basis, but applicants must discuss the proposal and eligibility with a program officer before applying. Perry N. Rudnick Grants list letter-of-intent deadlines of January 1 and July 1; both 2026 dates have passed. Fletcher Community Grants list an October 1 deadline, which has also passed for 2026. The website advises applicants to review program eligibility, past awards, deadlines, and timelines, and encourages new applicants or organizations developing a program to speak with the Program Office before submitting. It also asks applicants to explain their work clearly, address risks and barriers, and check applications for completeness.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists December 1 as the next Community Grants deadline in the quarterly cycle.
- Deadline
- The website lists December 1 as the next Community Grants deadline in the quarterly cycle.
- Contact
Mailing address: 401 N Main St Ste 300, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Phone: (828) 697-6224
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
7 open opportunities from Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc
CFHC: Community Grants
Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
CFHC: Field of Interest Grants
Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
CFHC: Fletcher Community Grants
Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc
Amount
Up to US $15,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Pardee Hospital Foundation Inc ($516K). Together the top 10 received $3.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
633 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 524 grants of 633 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website identifies Henderson County as the service area for Community Grants and Field of Interest Grants, the Town of Fletcher as the service area for Fletcher Community Grants, and Western North Carolina as the service area for Perry N. Rudnick Grants, with priority to Buncombe, Henderson, Polk, and Transylvania Counties. In filing year 2025, 89% of grant dollars went to North Carolina recipients and 8% to South Carolina recipients; smaller shares went to recipients in New York, Minnesota, and Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 173 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 62 of 172 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $25K; repeat grants $57K. How we count
Medians: $11K first-time, $20K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.9M (2022) to $7.9M (2025). In 2025 it made 173 grants totaling $7.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pardee Hospital Foundation Inc Hendersonville, NC | — | $515,597 |
| Clemson University Foundation Clemson, SC | — | $500,000 |
| Veterans Healing Farm Mills River, NC | — | $407,853 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Henderson CO Hendersonville, NC | — | $367,066 |
| Henderson County Education Foundati Hendersonville, NC | — | $352,463 |
| Salvation Army of Henderson County Hendersonville, NC | — | $305,815 |
| Rutherford Railroad Development Cor Rutherfordton, NC | — | $286,016 |
| Children & Family Resource Center O Hendersonville, NC | — | $194,331 |
| Pisgah Legal Services Asheville, NC | — | $188,068 |
| Mountaintrue Asheville, NC | — | $182,618 |
Ready to take the next step with Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $168,191,298 | $20,540,631 | $10,910,189 | $7,876,988 | 173 | $8,379,824 |
| 2024 | $147,445,991 | $19,963,739 | $6,699,663 | $4,325,792 | 128 | $13,194,552 |
| 2023 | $131,426,355 | $10,372,155 | $6,783,142 | $4,515,917 | 129 | $4,370,827 |
| 2022 | $121,395,555 | $11,832,432 | $6,360,109 | $2,884,476 | 91 | $5,121,017 |
| 2021 | $136,512,961 | $6,466,515 | $5,647,714 | $3,595,347 | 112 | $2,392,464 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is “Helping people who care make lasting contributions to causes that matter.” Its filing describes grants across areas including animal care, arts and culture, civic and community affairs, conservation, education, health, human services, faith-based needs, and other philanthropic interests. It awards grants through competitive and noncompetitive processes, including designated, field-of-interest, and donor-advised funds.
The foundation also administers scholarships. Its filing reports 124 scholarship funds and says that, in fiscal year 2024–2025, awards and scholarships went to 244 individual recipients, primarily in Henderson County. Most scholarships are based on academic ability and financial need, while some have donor-defined eligibility requirements.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of grantee work. Pardee Memorial Hospital Foundation says it educates and inspires community support for Henderson County Hospital Corporation, doing business as Margaret R. Pardee Memorial Hospital. Veterans Healing Farm says it enhances the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of veterans and their families. Henderson County Education Foundation describes its work as enriching education for students, teachers, and the local community. Pisgah Legal Services says it pursues justice for low-income people in Western North Carolina through legal assistance and advocacy.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 173 itemized grants totaling $7,876,988. Grant amounts ranged from $5,046 to $515,597, with a median of $15,000. Its filing says grants are made through both competitive and noncompetitive processes, with the greatest number being noncompetitive, including designated and donor-advised grants.
The largest listed 2025 awards included $515,597 to Pardee Hospital Foundation Inc, $500,000 to Clemson University Foundation, $407,853 to Veterans Healing Farm, $367,066 to Boys and Girls Club of Henderson Co, and $352,463 to Henderson County Education Foundation. Other large awards included $305,815 to Salvation Army of Henderson County, $286,016 to Rutherford Railroad Development Corp, and $194,331 to Children & Family Resource Center.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Ruth Birge as chair, Bill Hale as vice chair, Tim Kriegel as treasurer, Dora Katsadouros as secretary, and Stan Duncan as past chair. It also lists Ken Adams, Jimmy Chandler, Steven Dozier, Anderson Ellis, and Julia Fawcett as directors. The foundation’s website describes its board as volunteer.
Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc is led by McCray V. Benson, President since 2023 (on filings since 2021); 2 of 21 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
McCray V. Benson
President
President & CEO → President, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$174K (2021) → $215K (2025)
Ruth Birge
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Gash
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ken Adams
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matt Henry
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anderson Ellis
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carolina McCready
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Young
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lutrelle O'Cain
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bryce Malsbary
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julia Fawcett
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven Dozier
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jan King
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jimmy Chandler
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Penny Summey
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Renee Kumar
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rachel W. Buchanan
CFO
Chief Financial Officer → CFO, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$99K (2021) → $114K (2025)
Bill Hale
Vice Chair
Treasurer → Director, 2024
Director → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stan Duncan
Past Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Past Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dora Katsadouros
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tim Kriegel
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (13)
- Former: Bill McKibbin (2021–2024) — Past Chair
- Former: Caroline Gunther (2021–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Brett Shaffer (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Wendy Frye Mason (2024) — Director
- Former: Jimmy Cowan (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Wendy Frye (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Cindy Causby (2021–2022) — Past Chair
- Former: Edward Rowe (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Shirley McGee (2022) — Director
- Former: Elisa Jarrin (2021) — Director
- Former: Judy Stroud (2021) — Director
- Former: Kevin Parries (2021) — Director
- Former: Marilyn Gordon (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $215K, to McCray V Benson (President/Ce). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc
How much does Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc give each year?
Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc gave $7.9M across 173 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $4.3M across 128 grants.
What is Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc's typical grant size?
Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $45,532, across 173 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc that year got $25K on average.
Where does Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc give grants?
Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc gives mostly in North Carolina: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was South Carolina (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Hendersonville, NC (82 grants), Asheville, NC (20 grants), Fletcher, NC (6 grants) and Flat Rock, NC (5 grants).
Who are Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc's largest grantees?
Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Pardee Hospital Foundation Inc ($515,597), Clemson University Foundation ($500,000) and Veterans Healing Farm ($407,853), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc?
Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc reported $168.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $20.5M.
What does Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is “Helping people who care make lasting contributions to causes that matter.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc?
The foundation provides an online grants portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc's EIN?
Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-1330792. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 26, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Live grants for the work Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-of-henderson-county-inc-morg_34e0733d05f64e2db7f02193fda06bb6
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_561330792_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-of-henderson-county-inc-morg_34e0733d05f64e2db7f02193fda06bb6},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Community Foundation of Henderson County Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?