Community foundation · EIN 51-0168751
Polk County Community Foundation Inc
Tryon, NC
Polk County Community Foundation Inc is a community foundation based in Tryon, NC. On its Form 990 (Schedule I) for tax year 2025, it reported $3.37M in grants paid across 141 grants, with $76.8M in total assets. Its largest grants went to Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry Inc, Polk County Schools and Fence.
How to request funding
Community foundations usually run open grant rounds for nonprofits in their area, alongside donor-advised funds that donors direct. Check Polk County Community Foundation Inc's website for current grant opportunities, deadlines and eligibility.
How it makes and monitors grants (Schedule I, Part IV)
Competitive grant awards: written grant applications are submitted to a foundation committee composed of community volunteers who serve 3 year terms. the committee reviews detailed financial and management information and conducts interviews to fully understand the proposed project and applicant. grant reports are required. grants are made to local 501(c)(3) organizations and units of government. grant committees submit their recommendations to the board which provides oversight, checks for conflicts and approves grants. non-competitive grant awards and donor advised fund grants: these grants are made to 501(c)(3) organizations, churches and units of government. information regarding all new recipients of donor advised fund grants is examined by a committee and then the board votes on the committee's recommendation. the board annually reviews and ratifies all donor advised fund grants. donors and charitable recipients confirm that the donors do not receive any personal benefits from donor advised fund grants and the grants are not to satisfy pledges. confirmation of status: we keep on file the irs determination / 501(c)(3) letters from all organizations receiving grants and check the irs website for updates before disbursing grants.
Grants as reported on its Form 990 for tax year 2025; the application guidance above is general for this type of funder. Requirements change; confirm with the organization before applying.
Mission
To administer funds entrusted to it to support charitable, cultural, educational and publicly beneficial charitable activities in the community centered in and around polk county, n.c.
As stated on its Form 990.
Largest grants, tax year 2025
Historical data · not a prediction| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry Inc | Columbus, NC | Support for Food Distribution, Housing, Medical & Financial Assistance for Those in Need | $320,888 |
| Polk County Schools | Columbus, SC | Support for Gifted Camps, Band Program, Field Trips, Internships, Teacher Conferences & Educational Travel, Community Partnerships, Mentoring & Special Projects | $276,708 |
| Fence | Tryon, NC | Support for 400+ Acre Nature & Equestrian Center | $203,775 |
| Hopeful Restoration Group | Little River, SC | Donor Advised Fund Distrubution to Support Storm Recovery in Polk County | $200,000 |
| Sunny View Clubhouse | Mill Spring, NC | Support Community Center Improvements & Programs | $186,900 |
| Tryon Fine Arts Center | Tryon, NC | Support for Community Arts Center Programs, Operations & Facilities | $155,754 |
| Tryon Arts & Crafts Inc | Tryon, NC | Support for Arts Education Programs, Community Events, Operations & Facilities | $134,818 |
| Conserving Carolina | Hendersonville, NC | Support for Land Conservation | $110,555 |
| Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross | Tryon, NC | Endowment Fund Distributions for Operating Support | $97,710 |
| Tryon Little Theater Inc | Tryon, NC | Support for Theater Programs & Community Center | $89,610 |
| Walnut Creek Preserve | Rutherfordton, NC | Support for the Charitable Mission of Walnut Creek Preserve | $89,000 |
| Saluda Community Land Trust Inc | Saluda, NC | Support for Land Conservation & Community Programs in the Greater Saluda Area | $86,500 |
| Mountain True | Asheville, NC | Support for Environmental & Conservation Efforts | $83,300 |
| Lanier Library Association | Tryon, NC | Support for Library Programs & Facilities | $82,789 |
| Upstairs Artspace | Tryon, NC | Support for Art Gallery Programs, Facilities and Operations | $79,381 |
| Foothills Humane Society Inc | Columbus, NC | Support for Animal Welfare in Polk County | $77,887 |
| Tryon Garden Club Inc | Tryon, NC | Endowment Fund Distributions for Operating Support | $75,851 |
| Steps to Hope Inc | Columbus, NC | Support for Domestic Violence Victims Shelter Operations & Programs | $63,219 |
| Roseland Community Center Inc | Tryon, NC | Support for Community Center Youth & Adult Programs | $55,930 |
| Tryon Painters & Sculptors | Tryon, NC | Support for Art Gallery Programs, Facilities & Operations | $52,700 |
| E-Polk Inc | Tryon, NC | Support for Nonprofit Broadband Connectivity | $45,000 |
| St Luke's Hospital Foundation | Columbus, NC | Support for St. Luke's Hospital Community Health Programs, Equipment & Operations | $44,904 |
| Saluda Pop-Up-Pantry | Saluda, NC | Support for Food Pantry Programs | $37,750 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wnc - Polk County | Tryon, NC | Support for Mentoring Programs in Polk County | $35,280 |
| Polk County Government | Columbus, NC | Support for Farmers Markets, Recreation, and Library Programs | $32,518 |
The 25 largest of 141 grants listed on the return. 91 grants to individuals ($300K) are counted but not named. Names and purposes as reported to the IRS.
Where its grants went
Quick answers
Does Polk County Community Foundation Inc accept grant applications?
Community foundations usually run open grant rounds for nonprofits in their area, alongside donor-advised funds that donors direct. Check Polk County Community Foundation Inc's website for current grant opportunities, deadlines and eligibility. Form 990 does not report an application process, so confirm with the organization.
How much does Polk County Community Foundation Inc give each year?
For tax year 2025, it reported $3,367,845 in grants paid (141 grants). Giving can change from year to year.
What organizations has Polk County Community Foundation Inc funded?
Its largest grants in tax year 2025 went to Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry Inc (NC), $321K, Polk County Schools (SC), $277K, Fence (NC), $204K, Hopeful Restoration Group (SC), $200K and Sunny View Clubhouse (NC), $187K.