Fall 2025 Grant Awards: Celebrating Twelve Nonprofits Strengthening Transylvania County
Twelve nonprofit organizations serving Transylvania County have been selected for our Fall 2025 grant awards, representing a wide range of programs that nourish, protect, and uplift residents.
This cycle drew more than $762,000 in requests, underscoring both the creativity and the significant needs nonprofits are working to meet across the county. After reviewing all proposals, our Grants Committee prioritized projects addressing essential needs such as food security, safe shelter and housing, literacy, early childhood enrichment, therapeutic support, and culturally responsive programming.
“Our Fall 2025 review process was intentionally collaborative, transparent, and grounded in the values of this community,” said Cara Bradshaw, Executive Director of Pisgah Health Foundation. “Every decision was made with care, humility, and a deep respect for the nonprofits doing the work every day.”
The grants committee was chaired by Pisgah Health Foundation board member Dean St. Marie, with additional board members Dr. Ora Wells and Lisa Sykes serving. Former board member Dr. Jim Wright contributed in an advisory capacity, and PHF staff Cara Bradshaw and Julie Heinitsh provided non-voting support.
Each application was independently scored using a detailed rubric that considered alignment with the Social Determinants of Health, service to historically underserved populations, collaboration and community voice, measurable outcomes, sustainability, and organizational capacity and budget readiness.
The following organizations were awarded Fall 2025 grants for projects making a meaningful and immediate difference in the lives of Transylvania County residents:
Augustine Literacy Project-Brevard advances literacy by offering free, research-based tutoring for students who face reading challenges. This grant bolsters administrative capacity, enabling the program to coordinate more efficiently and reach additional children countywide.
Babies Need Bottoms ensures families have the essentials: diapers, formula, and infant hygiene supplies. This support expands local distribution, meeting the growing needs of parents and caregivers in Transylvania County.
Bread of Life nourishes the community with daily hot meals served in a welcoming environment. This grant helps launch construction of a new purpose-built facility, increasing the program’s ability to serve more guests and deepen wraparound support.
El Centro Comunitario Hispano Americano strengthens Hispanic youth and families through education, leadership development, and cultural enrichment. Funding advances bilingual youth programs and family engagement, creating pathways for belonging and academic success.
Cove Shelter provides safe, seasonal emergency shelter, a hot meal, and showers for neighbors experiencing homelessness. This award extends winter operations, allowing the shelter to remain open seven nights a week from November through March.
Eagle’s Nest Foundation connects young learners to nature through outdoor education and camp experiences. The grant opens preschool camp opportunities, ensuring local children can participate regardless of family income.
The Family Place strengthens families through parenting education, early childhood support, and community connection. This grant expands parent education and peer support by adding three new Circle of Parents (COP) groups, creating more opportunities for caregivers to learn, share, and build resilience together.
Free Rein Center delivers equine-assisted therapies in partnership with Transylvania County Schools for students with developmental, cognitive, emotional, or physical needs. This support enhances therapeutic riding and equine-assisted learning sessions for participating youth.
The Haven of Transylvania County supports individuals and families experiencing homelessness through emergency shelter and housing stability services. This grant moves forward the House of Hope, a trauma-informed shelter and a new Peer Living Room for women.
The Hunger Coalition of Transylvania County strengthens food access through collaborative, community-driven programs. Funding advances the 30-Minute Table meal-kit program, providing nutritious, ready-to-prepare meals for local households.
Housing Assistance Corporation improves housing stability through affordable rentals, home ownership, and home repairs. This support enables essential home repairs for Transylvania County residents, enhancing safety, accessibility, and long-term well-being.
Meals on Wheels delivers nourishment and connection to home-bound older adults through meals and wellness checks. The grant reinforces meal production and delivery routes, ensuring local seniors receive consistent, reliable support.
“Every organization that applied this year is doing essential work,” said Pisgah Health Foundation board member and grant committee chair Dean Saint Marie. “These nonprofits are expanding meal access, strengthening early learning, supporting families, improving safety and housing stability, offering therapeutic services, and cultural programming.”
While we could only fund a portion of requests this year, it is planning offerings in 2026 that support local nonprofits’ financial health, staff wellness, and leadership development.
Each of these organizations brings something vital to the fabric of Transylvania County. Together, they are expanding food access, supporting families, promoting early learning, improving housing stability, offering therapeutic services, and creating culturally responsive opportunities for youth and adults. Their work reflects the very best of who we are as a community.