Mitchell County Development Foundation
Mitchell County Development Foundation is a Form 990 public charity based in Spruce Pine, North Carolina. Formed in 2001, it states that it works to promote economic development in local Mitchell County communities.
Mitchell County Development Foundation at a glance
In short: Mitchell County Development Foundation gave $1.2M across 40 grants in 2025 (avg $30K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,180,500
- Grants made (2025)
- 40
- Average grant
- $29,513
- Median grant
- $22,150
- Total assets
- $748,451
- -17.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Mitchell County Development Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 327, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Phone: (828) 765-9033
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Mitchell County Development Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was DT Niven Enterprises Inc ($60K). Together the top 10 received $565K.
Grant Size Distribution
40 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 27 grants of 40 (68%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated mission concerns local Mitchell County communities. The 2025 filing reports that 98% of grant dollars went to North Carolina recipients and 2% to Tennessee recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 40 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2025 it made 40 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DT Niven Enterprises Inc Spruce Pine, NC | Hurricane Helene Relief | $60,000 |
| Gem City Spruce Pine, NC | Hurricane Helene Relief | $60,000 |
| Hardings Landscape & Maintenancein Spruce Pine, NC | Hurricane Helene Relief | $60,000 |
| Hefs Inc Spruce Pine, NC | Hurricane Helene Relief | $60,000 |
| Lynn Peterson Store Green Mountain, NC | Hurricane Helene Relief | $60,000 |
| Morgan Oil Company Bakersville, NC | Hurricane Helene Relief | $60,000 |
| Niven Properties Inc Spruce Pine, NC | Hurricane Helene Relief | $55,000 |
| Blue Ridge Outdoor Adventures Bakersville, NC | Hurricane Helene Relief | $50,000 |
| D & S Propane LLC Bakersville, NC | Hurricane Helene Relief | $50,000 |
| Long Range Ballistics Bakersville, NC | Hurricane Helene Relief | $50,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $748,451 | $1,157,894 | $1,323,207 | $1,180,500 | 40 | $-85,507 |
| 2024 | $912,007 | $201,800 | $62,529 | — | — | $69 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is “to promote in the economic development of local Mitchell County communities.” Its filing describes its program as promoting economic development and growth in local Mitchell County communities. The 2025 grants listed in the filing were designated for Hurricane Helene relief.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation made 40 grants totaling $1,180,500. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $60,000, with a median of $22,150. The filing lists recipients in North Carolina and Tennessee; 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina and 2% to recipients in Tennessee.
Among the largest listed awards were $60,000 each to DT Niven Enterprises Inc, Gem City, Hardings Landscape & Maintenancein, HEFS Inc, Lynn Peterson Store, and Morgan Oil Company, all for Hurricane Helene relief. Other listed awards included $55,000 to Niven Properties Inc and $50,000 each to Blue Ridge Outdoor Adventures, D & S Propane LLC, Long Range Ballistics, Los Garcia Inc, and Styles Office Building, also for Hurricane Helene relief.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jeff Gouge as president, Charles Vines as vice president, Lee Ellis as treasurer, and Sandra Buchanan as secretary. It also lists John Boyd, Chad Calhoun, Allen Cook, Chris Gentry, Jeff Harding, and Phillip Hise as board members.
Mitchell County Development Foundation is led by Jeff Gouge, President on every filing since 2024; none of the 13 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jeff Gouge
President
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Vines
Vice President
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lee Ellis
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Allen Cook
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Chad Calhoun
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Chris Gentry
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Jeff Harding
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
John Boyd
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Keith Holtsclaw
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Phillip Hise
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Sandra Buchanan
Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Sharon Rowland
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Van Phillips
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2024–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Mitchell County Development Foundation
How much does Mitchell County Development Foundation give each year?
Mitchell County Development Foundation gave $1.2M across 40 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.
What is Mitchell County Development Foundation's typical grant size?
Mitchell County Development Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $22,150, and its average grant was $29,513, across 40 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Mitchell County Development Foundation give grants?
Mitchell County Development Foundation gives mostly in North Carolina: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Spruce Pine, NC (18 grants), Bakersville, NC (15 grants) and Green Mountain, NC (2 grants).
Does Mitchell County Development Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 40 grants with a stated purpose on Mitchell County Development Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Hurricane Helene Relief" (40 grants).
Who are Mitchell County Development Foundation's largest grantees?
Mitchell County Development Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include DT Niven Enterprises Inc ($60,000), Gem City ($60,000) and Hardings Landscape & Maintenancein ($60,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Mitchell County Development Foundation?
Mitchell County Development Foundation reported $748K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.2M.
What does Mitchell County Development Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is “to promote in the economic development of local Mitchell County communities.” Its filing describes its program as promoting economic development and growth in local Mitchell County communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Mitchell County Development Foundation?
Mitchell County Development Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Mitchell County Development Foundation's EIN?
Mitchell County Development Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-2262436. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2024–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 6, 2026)
Live grants for the work Mitchell County Development Foundation funds
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Mitchell County Development Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?