Work with Heart Community Fund selects 38 organizations to receive funds

Dean Hensley, Hendersonville Times-News
·3 min read
Matt Johnes of Hannah Flanagan’s and Dan Poeta of Horizon Heating & Air.
Matt Johnes of Hannah Flanagan’s and Dan Poeta of Horizon Heating & Air.

The Work with Heart Community Fund, which is a component fund of the Community Foundation of Henderson County, has selected 38 different organizations to receive grants totaling $85,000.

According to a news release, those grants were by possible by these six local businesses that have come together to provide charitable support: Horizon Heating & Air, Hannah Flanagan’s, Southern Alarm & Security, Boyd Automotive, Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Ken Adams, and Triangle Stop.

“This charitable joint effort of local business owners will have a far-reaching impact for those who are served by these nonprofits,” Community Foundation of Henderson County President/CEO McCray V. Benson said in the release. “These businesses are making a positive change in our local community through this fund each year, and their continued growth demonstrates how combining charitable giving can build strong connections, increase engagement in the community and amplify awareness of the impact that nonprofit organizations are making in the lives of local people.”

In 2015, Dan Poeta of Horizon Heating and Air was looking for an avenue of giving that would help his philanthropy evolve and help move the needle on key issues. By creating a Donor Advised Fund with Community Foundation of Henderson County, Poeta discovered the structure and organization his charitable giving process truly needed, the release said. Within two years, local eatery Hannah Flanagan’s joined in on the charitable venture and as of 2023, six local businesses have come together to offer the Work with Heart Community Fund.

Since 2015, $288,000 has been awarded to the local community through numerous nonprofits as unrestricted grant money. The grant application for the next cycle of Work with Heart grant funding will open in January 2024. In order to qualify, organizations must be a tax-exempt, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates programs in Henderson County for the benefit of the residents of Henderson County.

The Work with Heart 2023 grant recipients are as follows:

  • First Quarter: Thrive, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Vocational Solutions, Helping Hand Development Center, Blue Ridge Community Health Services, Open Arms Pregnancy Center, The Free Clinics, True Ridge, Caja Solidaria, Hope Coalition

  • Second Quarter: Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County, The Storehouse, Economic Investment Fund of Henderson County (Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development), St. Gerard House, Camplify, Project Dignity, Special Needs Sports, Henderson County Education Foundation, Only Hope WNC, Young Naturalist 4-H Club

  • Third Quarter: Kenmure Fights Cancer, Four Seasons Foundation, First United Methodist: Backpack Ministry, Pisgah Legal Services, Fletcher Academy, Saluda Pop-Up Pantry, Bullington Gardens, Historic Johnson Farm Foundation, The Arc of Buncombe County, Inc.

  • Fourth Quarter: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina, Children & Family Resource Center, Apple Country Woodcrafters, Homes for Youth, Safelight, Inc., Housing Assistance Corporation, Sentinel Patriot Club (STAND T.A.L.L.), YMCA of Western North Carolina, The Hope Center

Mills River invites nonprofits to apply for ARPA funds

The Town of Mills River is asking nonprofit organizations serving the residents of Mills River to apply for funding made available through the American Rescue Plan Act.

According to a news release, using the Town’s comprehensive plan as a guide, the Mills River Town Council has earmarked $500,000 for land conservation, $500,000 to acquire property to expand and improve existing services and $100,000 in nonprofit support. Both land conservation and property acquisition seek to address several goals in the Town’s recently adopted Making Mills River comprehensive plan, including protecting and preserving the rural and agricultural character of Mills River, promoting the preservation of agricultural and natural lands and encouraging land stewardship, the release said.

Qualifying nonprofits are encouraged to apply for a grant from the Town for projects requiring one-time investments. Examples include purchase of equipment, purchase of vehicles or building or other land improvements. Funding for nonprofits is currently capped at $100,000 and includes a 10% match. An informational meeting will be held at 10 a.m. March 16 in Town Hall about the funds.

Applications for these one-time funds are due April 3. For more information go to www.millsriver.org/arpa.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Work with Heart Community Fund selects 38 organizations to receive funds