Evergreen Foundation is a private foundation based in Waynesville, North Carolina. The organization was formed in 1977 as a separate not-for-profit company by the Board of Smoky Mountain Mental Health, with the purpose of holding and distributing funds to support mental health, developmental disability, and substance abuse services. The foundation continues to provide financial support to private service providers in western North Carolina.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$24.7M
+5.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$800K
-9.0% YoY
Grant Count
29
-25.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$28K
+22.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Evergreen Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.0M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The mission of Evergreen Foundation is to improve access to and public awareness of quality prevention, treatment, and support services by the provider community to individuals and families with intellectual/developmental disabilities, behavioral health, and/or substance abuse needs.
Grant priorities include:
- Infrastructure support to the private provider service network
- Start-up and service provision grants
- Scholarships to enhance the quality of the provider network
- Public awareness and education
- Advocacy on behalf of consumers and the provider community
Grantmaking
Evergreen Foundation distributes grants through a competitive grant process managed by the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. The foundation accepts applications four times per year at the end of each quarter on the fiscal year calendar: June, September, December, and March.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Evergreen Foundation provides funding exclusively in seven western North Carolina counties:
- Cherokee
- Clay
- Graham
- Haywood
- Jackson
- Macon
- Swain
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Giving (2024):
- Total assets: $23,364,828
- Total revenues: $1,470,150
- Total expenses: $1,725,839
- Total giving: $800,000
Staffing:
- The foundation operates with 0 employees
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $24,740,260 | $23,364,828 | $22,207,099 |
| Revenue | $1,862,031 | $1,470,150 | $1,055,728 |
| Expenses | $1,666,229 | $1,725,839 | $1,717,014 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $972,707 | $1,066,418 | $1,069,573 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,261,910 | $884,511 | $482,579 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,020,030 | $956,656 | $907,895 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
170 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Evergreen Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Pearl Psychedelic Institute ($56,875), Swain Community Outreach ($50,294), Meridian Behavioral Health ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AWAKE SYLVA, NC | FUNDING FOR A NEW CASE TRACKER COMPUTER PROGRAM TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION TO THE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES TEAM. | $21,968 |
| CARTOOGECHAYE BAPTIST CHURCH FRANKLIN, NC | FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE NIGHT TO SHINE EVENT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN MACON COUNTY. | $1,000 |
| CENTER FOR DOMESTIC PEACE SYLVA, NC | FUNDING TO COVER HALF OF THE SHELTER MANAGER POSITION FOR A NEW SHELTER. | $23,500 |
| CENTER FOR DOMESTIC PEACE SYLVA, NC | FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE OPEN YOUR HEART FOR PEACE EVENT. | $1,000 |
| CORNBREAD AND ROSES COUNSELING SYLVA, NC | FUNDING FOR THE CLINICAL DIRECTOR POSITION IN THE CURRENT YEAR FOR A NEW NONPROFIT THAT HAS BEEN PROVIDING FOR-PROFIT SERVICES IN THE REGION. | $35,000 |
| FULL SPECTRUM FARMS CULLOWHEE, NC | FUNDING TO SUPPORT FACILITY UPGRADES FOR A PROGRAM SERVING INDIVIDUALS ON THE AUTISM. | $24,312 |
| HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS BRYSON CITY, NC | FUNDING FOR PERSONNEL AND MATERIALS TO START VOCATIONAL SERVICES PROGRAMS FOR TEENS WHILE IN THE ORGANIZATION'S CARE. | $19,400 |
| HAYWOOD PATHWAYS CENTER WAYNESVILLE, NC | FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE EMPTY BOWL DINNER FUNDRAISING EVENT. | $1,000 |
| HAYWOOD VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES WAYNESVILLE, NC | FUNDING FOR SECURITY UPGRADES TO IDD DAY SERVICES BUILDING. | $30,000 |
| HERE IN JACKSON COUNTY SYLVA, NC | FUNDING FOR AN SSI/SSDI OUTREACH, ACCESS, AND BENEFITS CASE MANAGER TO ASSIST AT RISK INDIVIDUALS IN COMPLETING PAPERWORK FOR BENEFITS. | $42,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN FEIL | SECRETARY | 4 | — |
| VICKI GORDON | TREASURER | 4 | — |
| MARTY HYDAKER | PRESIDENT | 4 | — |
| RALPH MURPHY | VICE PRESIDENT | 4 | — |
| GLENN JONES | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| DAVID BADGER | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| JANICE WRIGHT | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| CHARLES PENLAND | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| TAMMY KEEZER | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation announced a grant deadline for first quarter 2026-2027 grants due by 5 p.m. on March 2, 2026. The foundation has announced over $500,000 in grant funding to non-profit disability agencies in western North Carolina.
$800,000 in Grants Awarded from Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Evergreen Foundation fund?
The mission of Evergreen Foundation is to improve access to and public awareness of quality prevention, treatment, and support services by the provider community to individuals and families with intellectual/developmental disabilities, behavioral health, and/or substance abuse needs. Grant priorities include: • Infrastructure support to the private provider service network • Start-up and service provision grants • Scholarships to enhance the quality of the provider network • Public awareness an…
How do I apply for a grant from Evergreen Foundation?
Evergreen Foundation distributes grants through a competitive grant process managed by the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. The foundation accepts applications four times per year at the end of each quarter on the fiscal year calendar: June, September, December, and March. **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $1,000–$79,495 • Recent grants have supported facility security systems, building down payments, and behavioral health programs • The foundation made 28 grants in 2024…
Where does Evergreen Foundation make grants?
Evergreen Foundation provides funding exclusively in seven western North Carolina counties: • Cherokee • Clay • Graham • Haywood • Jackson • Macon • Swain
What size grants does Evergreen Foundation award?
In 2025, Evergreen Foundation awarded 29 grants totaling $800K — an average of about $28K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Evergreen Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Evergreen Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.0M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Evergreen Foundation's EIN?
Evergreen Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-1351883. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Evergreen Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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