Since 1978, the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) has cultivated a lasting legacy of support across 18 counties, including the vibrant Qualla Boundary. This nonprofit doesn’t just manage funds—it fuels opportunities, partnerships, and progress that shape the region’s future. Working with individuals, families, and corporations, CFWNC crafts and oversees charitable funds that deliver impactful grants to nonprofits and public agencies, responsible stewards of the area's social and environmental fabric.

With $481 million in managed assets as of June 2025, the Foundation pursues a careful, long-term investment approach designed to protect and grow these resources indefinitely, ensuring their impact endures. This enduring capital underpins more than $456 million awarded in scholarships and grants, empowering students and community organizations across Western North Carolina and beyond.

Recently, CFWNC approved $100,000 in focused grants that highlight the balance between conservation and community benefit. The Mainspring Conservation Trust received $60,000 to support stewardship of the newly acquired 94-acre Slickens Creek tract—a vital open space within the Nantahala National Forest’s Panthertown Valley backcountry. Surrounded by public lands and threaded by two key hiking trails, this parcel represents the last significant private holdout in an area praised as the "Yosemite of the East."

Before hikers can follow the forest trails into Slickens Creek, crews must address immediate hazards: fallen trees, unstable terrain, and invasive species threaten safe passage and ecological health. With co-investments from The Dogwood Charitable Endowment Fund, Stewart Fund for Life & Love, White Pine Fund, and anonymous donors, this grant initiates vital care to prepare the land for responsible public access.

CFWNC’s work extends beyond numbers. It’s a partnership with a region fiercely protective of its environment and focused on creating opportunity. The Foundation stands as both guardian and enabler—preserving natural treasures while unlocking pathways for education and community growth. For anyone driven by purpose, whether outdoors on rugged trails or investing in the next generation, the Foundation’s steady commitment is a reliable guide through the complexities of philanthropy and place.

Planning a deeper connection? Consider volunteering with local nonprofits funded by CFWNC or exploring Panthertown Valley trails as they open. Respect for this landscape’s power and fragility is essential—approach it ready to experience a wilderness that’s still shaping its story.

By supporting efforts like the Slickens Creek stewardship, the Community Foundation ensures that Western North Carolina’s wild heart and its communities thrive together. Adventure is accessible, but only through care and collective action.