Community Grants

A Storehouse for Jesus

A Storehouse for Jesus received $9,500 for their Feeding The Hungry initiative. A Storehouse for Jesus is a non-denominational Christian ministry serving Davie County since 1993. The project provides free food to low-income families, giving each family member one week’s worth of meals per visit. Most families served live at or below the Federal Poverty Level. Operated entirely by volunteers, Storehouse collects, sorts, and distributes food efficiently and warmly, providing all items at no cost and without regard to race, religion, or nationality. Grants help cover the cost of purchased food so Storehouse can continue feeding those in need.

Advocacy Center of Davie County

The Advocacy Center of Davie County was awarded $10,000 for their Community Emergency Assistance Initiative to provide one-time financial support to low-income Davie County residents experiencing a temporary crisis. Eligible applicants must demonstrate income, have not received assistance from the Advocacy Center within the past 12 months, and be facing a short-term emergency. Approved assistance of up to $600 is paid directly to landlords or utility providers for rent, water, or electricity. By addressing urgent needs quickly, the program prevents crises from escalating, helps households maintain stable housing and utilities, and reduces the risk of long-term financial hardship. Clients also receive budgeting guidance and referrals to local resources, strengthening long-term stability and promoting safe, resilient households throughout Davie County.

Cognition of Davie County Inc.

Cognition of Davie County was awarded a grant of $10,000 for their Pathways to Learning and Support for Davie County Families project. This initiative strengthens access to education, connection, and support through three programs. Cognition BRIDGE offers free monthly gatherings for parents and caregivers of children with special needs, providing guidance on resources like Medicaid waivers, SSI, and school supports. This grant also provides need-based summer camp scholarships to remove financial barriers for elementary-aged children to participate in hands-on STEAM camps that foster curiosity, confidence, and social engagement. Middle school science clubs, hosted in partnership with Davie County Schools, provide inquiry-based experiences at a critical age for sustaining STEAM interest. All programs serve Davie County families at no cost, benefiting caregivers, scholarship recipients, and students alike.

Cognition of Davie County Inc.

Cognition of Davie County Inc. received an award of $5,000 for their Davie County Field Trip Access and Outreach initiative. This initiative enhances curriculum-aligned field trips for Davie County schools, ensuring hands-on STEAM experiences that support classroom learning. Grant funds will support staff in refining lessons to meet North Carolina standards, conducting outreach to schools, and providing targeted materials to remove participation barriers. The program benefits Pre-K through middle school students and their teachers, improving program quality, expanding engagement, and increasing access to high-quality educational experiences.

Cooleemee Civitan Club

The Cooleemee Civitan Club received an award of $7,500 for the purchase and install of an ADA-compliant handicap ramp for residents of the Cooleemee School District experiencing urgent medical or mobility crises. Many recipients face significant barriers to safely entering or exiting their homes and lack the financial resources to cover ramp and installation costs. The club manages the entire process from purchase and delivery to professional installation and ensures families are educated on safe, proper use. By installing only ADA-compliant ramps, the program prioritizes safety, minimizes liability, and provides reliable accessibility solutions. This timely assistance enhances independence, improves home safety, and promotes dignity for residents with limited mobility.

Davie County Arts Council

Davie County Arts Council received a grant of $10,000 for their Community Theater Restart initiative. This project will reestablish an organized, volunteer-driven theater program serving Davie County residents of all ages. With a goal of producing four to six performances annually, the program will offer opportunities for acting, directing, backstage production, choreography, and front-of-house roles, welcoming participants of all experience levels. After nearly three years without a structured community theater, residents currently must travel to neighboring counties to participate in productions or theater instruction. This initiative will create accessible local opportunities, foster diverse talent, and produce shared cultural experiences through plays, musicals, and comedies. By engaging volunteers and audiences alike, community theater will strengthen local connections, enrich arts education beyond the school setting, and contribute to the county’s cultural and economic vitality.

Davie County Recreation & Parks

Davie County Recreation & Parks received $15,000 for their Batting Cages project. Davie County Recreation & Parks will install state-of-the-art batting cages at Davie County Community Park to enhance athletic opportunities for local teams and families. The cages will feature a concrete and athletic turf base, along with high-quality netting, poles, and a pulley system designed for durability and safe use. These improvements will provide a dedicated space for batting practice, reduce field congestion, and create additional opportunities for parents and children to practice and play together. The adjustable netting system will allow seasonal removal during winter months, extending the lifespan of the equipment and ensuring long-term benefit for the community throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons.

Davie County Schools

Davie County Schools received an award of $17,825 for their DCS Math Strategic Plan Work. The purpose of this grant is to strengthen math instruction, support educators’ professional growth, and improve vertical alignment across grades K–12. Grant funds will support three key initiatives: providing substitute coverage for 15 math teachers to attend NCSIP Foundations of Math training during the 2026–2027 school year, forming two Summer Task Force groups to develop instructional materials and strategies for family and community engagement, and funding teacher participation in Summer Professional Development and collaborative Professional Learning Teams (PLTs). This project will benefit all students in Davie County Schools by equipping educators with time, resources, and collaborative opportunities to enhance math instruction. Materials created will be shared district-wide, supporting consistent implementation and strengthening math learning across all grade levels.

Davie County Schools

Davie County Schools received a grant of $36,000 for their High Reliability Schools (HRS) Level 1 Certification: Safe, Supportive, and Collaborative Culture. Davie County Schools is pursuing formal Level 1 HRS Certification for six district schools to eliminate the “Teacher Lottery,” ensuring student success is not dependent on teacher assignment. Having implemented the HRS framework since 2020, these schools are now ready for the validation phase to move from aspirational goals to certified reliability. Key activities include collecting quantitative perception data through Marzano HRS Surveys of staff, students, and parents; engaging Marzano associates to analyze lagging indicators and provide expert coaching for data-driven improvements; refining PLC protocols to ensure 100% of instructional teams meet Level 1 standards for collaboration; and submitting comprehensive portfolios to Marzano Resources for external certification. This project directly impacts 3,770 students and 435 staff members across the six schools, while benefiting all DCS students and staff over time by ensuring a consistent, high-quality, and reliable learning environment.

Davie County Schools

Davie County Schools received a grant of $28,100 for Leadership Development in Davie County Schools. This project will benefit Davie County Schools' community, staff and students by investing in leadership development to strengthen district-wide learning, communication, and decision-making. The Board of Education will participate in Five Voices workshops, one in November 2026 and one in spring 2027, to enhance collaborative leadership and understanding of individual communication styles. District instructional leaders will attend two Standards-Based Reporting workshops, a component of the High Reliability Schools framework, providing parents and students with accurate, actionable feedback on student progress each quarter. Additionally, the district’s MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) team, representing diverse educational roles, will attend two All Means All workshops to strengthen inclusive practices and data-driven decision-making that support every student’s success. Together, these initiatives equip Davie County Schools leaders with the tools and strategies needed to improve student outcomes and foster a cohesive, equitable learning community.

Davie County Schools

Davie County Schools received an award of $4,000 for their Camp Discovery project. Camp Discovery is a summer STEAM program for rising 5th and 6th-grade gifted learners in Davie County Schools, serving up to 50 students. This year’s program features an immersive engineering challenge, Cardboard City 2.0, where participants design, build, test, and refine a sustainable model city using cardboard and basic construction materials. Over eight half-day sessions, campers engage in hands-on engineering and design activities emphasizing systems thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. Led by four AIG-qualified staff members, students apply engineering design principles to plan city systems such as transportation, housing, energy, water, and emergency services, working within defined constraints. Free breakfast and lunch are provided, ensuring full participation. By the end of the program, students strengthen their engineering and problem-solving skills while building meaningful relationships with peers.

Davie County Schools

Davie County Schools received a grant of $9,000 to help support their Ron Clark Academy. Ron Clark Academy fosters inclusive, supportive learning environments where every student can thrive. To advance this vision, the district implemented the Ron Clark Academy House System at North Davie Middle School in 2022 and expanded it to all three middle schools in 2023. The system groups students and staff into six diverse “houses” that function like families, providing peer support, trusted adults, and consistent encouragement while reinforcing positive behavior and celebrating student strengths. This summer, twelve teachers will attend Ron Clark Academy’s House Mania training to strengthen implementation of the House System. The training equips educators with culturally responsive strategies, hands-on learning, and actionable tools to enhance inclusive school culture, promote social-emotional growth, and improve outcomes for all students.

Davie County Schools

Davie County Schools received $600 for their Inclusive Play, Stronger Community Grant. South Davie Middle School is enhancing student engagement and well-being by introducing large outdoor yard games, including Giant Connect 4, Giant Jenga, and Tic Tac Toe/Checkers. Grant funds will support the purchase and secure storage of these durable games, which will be used during PE, lunch, classroom brain breaks, and SEL activities. The project promotes teamwork, social-emotional learning, and physical activity, providing inclusive play opportunities for all students, including those who may not participate in traditional sports. This initiative will benefit 528 students and 50 staff members while strengthening school culture and student connections.

Davie County Schools

Davie County Schools received an award of $10,000 for their Camp Innovate project. Camp Innovate is a two-week summer STEAM program for rising 8th and 9th graders. Using Problem-Based Learning, students work in teams to tackle real-world design challenges, developing critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Leadership opportunities and a low staff-to-student ratio provide focused guidance, helping students build both technical and durable skills. By engaging students during this pivotal transition from middle to high school, the camp aims to inspire continued interest in STEAM fields and influence future academic and career pathways. The project will serve 45 Davie County School students per week, 90 students total.

Family Promise of Davie County

Family Promise of Davie County received a grant of $16,000 to help provide safe shelter and comprehensive support for families experiencing housing instability. The Family Center serves as both a welcoming shelter and service hub, offering private rooms, showers, a kitchen, laundry facilities, and common areas. Families receive individualized case management, financial assistance, transportation support, and guidance in securing stable, permanent housing, helping them meet immediate needs while building a path toward long-term stability.

Habitat for Humanity of Davie County

Habitat for Humanity of Davie County received a grant of $17,000 to help replace its aging work truck, a vital resource supporting local homebuilding and repair efforts. The current vehicle, more than 25 years old with nearly 200,000 miles, has reached the end of its reliable service life. Rising maintenance costs, frequent breakdowns, and safety concerns disrupt construction schedules and reduce volunteer productivity. A new truck will ensure safe, dependable transportation of materials, tools, and equipment to multiple job sites. Direct beneficiaries include Habitat staff and volunteers, as well as low to moderate income families in Davie County in need of safe, affordable housing, including working households and seniors on fixed incomes. Reliable transportation will strengthen operational efficiency, improve job site safety, increase volunteer engagement, and expand Habitat’s capacity to serve more families each year.

Make-A-Wish Central & Western NC

Make-A-Wish Central and Western North Carolina was awarded for $5,000 for their A Dose of Hope and Joy for a Child in Davie County project. Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, including those in Davie County. A $5,000 gift from the Davie Community Foundation will help grant one wish for a local child. The Fund-A-Wish program brings together donors, volunteers, businesses, and medical partners to create personalized experiences that deliver hope, joy, and lasting family memories. Eligible children ages 2½–18 receive wishes regardless of income, race, or background.

Our Daily Bread @ Fork

Our Daily Bread @ Fork received $10,000 for their Feeding Our Davie County Neighbors project. This initiative provides consistent food and essential items to individuals and families facing hunger in Davie County and the surrounding area. Through a weekly pantry, community members receive food boxes with meat, produce, canned goods, bread, and dessert, along with baby diapers, adult incontinence supplies, and feminine hygiene products. Personal care bags with hygiene items are also distributed monthly, and ready-to-go bags are provided to individuals experiencing homelessness. In the past year, the pantry served 7,200 individuals and distributed 218,400 pounds of food. Partnerships with Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, Society of St. Andrew, Food Lion, and Lowe’s Bermuda Run, along with support from local churches, SON Ministry, and approximately 100 individual donors, make this outreach possible and ensure neighbors in need receive consistent, compassionate support.

Smart Start of Davie County

Smart Smart of Davie County was awarded $14,200 for their Kaleidoscope Play with a Purpose Kindergarten Readiness Playgroups. These playgroups are weekly, 90-minute sessions for children birth to five and their caregivers. Led by trained educators, these evidence-based playgroups support early learning and strengthen caregiver-child relationships, with intentional outreach to families who may not otherwise have access to preschool opportunities. Offered both onsite at Smart Start of Davie County and at community locations, the program encourages caregiver leadership, models positive interactions, and uses everyday moments as meaningful teaching opportunities. Kaleidoscope welcomes families from all backgrounds and measures growth in caregiver confidence across multiple domains.

Yadkin Valley FCA

Yadkin Valley FCA was awarded a grant of $3,800 to provide summer camp opportunities that promote personal growth, character development, and life skills for Davie County students. Many participants face financial barriers that limit access to structured programming designed to build confidence, teamwork, leadership, and ethical decision-making. For the July 2026 camp in Black Mountain, NC, the program will serve 25 local students, giving them a positive, high-quality summer experience that supports long-term academic and personal success.