See what is happening at CCF!
See what is happening at CCF!
February 2026 Newsletter
Giving together to enhance the quality and spirit
of community life. 

Community Scholarship Applications: Now Open
Cumberland Community Foundation manages more than 60 scholarship endowment funds created by local individuals, families, fraternities, civic organizations, and businesses who want to provide a path to higher education for future generations. Applications for students to apply are open NOW until March 18. 
 
Students: CLICK HERE for more information about how to apply.
Donor Tip: How to Establish a Scholarship Endowment
With the stock market near an all-time high, you might consider creating a scholarship endowment with appreciated stock.
Establishing your legacy and helping students every year is as easy as 1, 2, 3:
  1. Think of a name for your scholarship endowment, such as Jane Smith Scholarship Endowment or John Doe Changing Futures Fund. 
  2. Design the eligibility and scoring plan for the scholarship award. (We are here to help!)
  3. Make a tax-smart gift of appreciated stock, bypass capital gains taxes, and receive the maximum tax deduction available.
Give us a call at (910)483-4449 and start changing lives every year, forever. (You may also create a scholarship through your will with a few simple sentences. We can help you with that, too.) 

2025 Board Alumni Report 
On February 25, the Cumberland Community Foundation Board of Directors hosted board alumni at a lunch and shared details about asset growth and grant impact areas. In 2025, CCF distributed $$11,033,144.14 in grants and scholarships and managed ten program areas. 
Click here to see the highlights. 

Grant Spotlight
Left to Right: Christiana Adeyemi (Better Health), Kendra Murray (CCF), Kristin Bonoyer (CC Dept of Social Services), Lisa Hughes (Council on Older Adults), and Tamica Lyons (CC Dept of Social Services)
During fall of 2024, CCF hosted a convening of senior-serving organizations in Cumberland County. This led to a grant to the Cumberland County Council on Older Adults to establish the Cornelia Bullock Wilkins Senior Information Hub. The Information Hub is now up and running, offering direct connection to resources for seniors and caregivers. 
Click here to visit the Cornelia Bullock Wilkins Senior Information Hub. 

Grantseeker Information Sessions

Grantseeker Information Sessions, led by Community Grants Manager Kendra Murray, are held monthly to help nonprofits learn more about funding opportunities through Cumberland Community Foundation. These sessions typically take place on the first Thursday of each month at 10:00 a.m. and cover key information about our grant programs, current funding cycles, and the application process. Participants also benefit from a walkthrough of a sample application to better understand what’s required and how to submit a strong proposal.

Registration is available through the calendar on the CCF website HERE. 

Continuing Our 2026 Training Series: Tammy Talks 
On February 12, 2026, Tammy Goodwin, MBA, JD, Operations Director/Firm Administrator of TRP Sumner, PLLC, led a training session on Attracting and Retaining Talent in Resource-Limited Settings. Twenty-one nonprofit professionals gathered for a practical conversation about the staffing challenges many organizations are experiencing. Participants explored strategies for recruiting and retaining employees, with an emphasis on realistic, actionable approaches that organizations can implement even with limited resources.  

New Year, New RMD
Those pesky Required Minimum Distributions are a great way to start an endowment at the community foundation to continue your legacy in this community. Donors who are 70.5 or older may make a Qualified Charitable Distribution to establish a Community Endowment (support the best projects every year), a Designated Endowment (support your favorite charities annually), or a Scholarship Endowment (send a student to college every year). This is a tax-neutral way to take your RMD and support favorite causes, forever.

Give us a call at (910)483-4449 to start designing your legacy. 

Important Dates!
March 5 - Grantseeker Information Session at 10 AM at CCF**
March 6 - Women's Giving Circle Community Scorecard Breakfast at 7:30 AM at Highland Presbyterian Church*
March 17 - Deadline for Community Scholarship applications 
April 1 - Spring Community Grants application available
April 2 - Grantseeker Information Session at 10 AM at CCF**
May 7 - Grantseeker Information Session at 10 AM at CCF**
May 20 - Scholarship Awards Reception at 4 PM at Cape Fear Botanical Garden*
June 4 - Grantseeker Information Session at 10 AM at CCF**
July 1 - Summer Community Grants application available
August 6 - Summertime Kids Luncheon at 12 PM at CFBG*
September 1 - Fall Community Grants application available
September 24 - Founders & Friends event at 6 PM at CFBG*
November 23–December 1 - GivingTuesday Campaign 

*By invitation

**Registration required click here
info@cumberlandcf.org
    910.483.4449
cumberlandcf.org

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