CURRENT Community Initiative Funds
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Beautify Brevard
The purpose of the Beautify Brevard Planting Initiative is to support quality tree and shrubbery conservation and management. It is committed to encouraging tree and landscape plantings, to purchase trees with donations to the Fund and to coordinate the planting and maintenance of trees with the City, local service organizations, etc. Brevard Dog Park The goal of Brevard Dog Park is to create a dog park in Brevard that will provide a safe and secure environment where dogs can play, exercise, and socialize off-leash. The dog park will be a great opportunity for residents and visitors alike to meet and mingle with their dogs and friends. This will help create a positive interaction between dog owners and the community-at-large. Brevard Sculpture Project The amazing sculptures that grace our downtown are a result of an effort of local artists, headed by Ann DerGara, who wanted to make a cultural difference in this community. Local citizens supported this effort with their dollars and artists donated their time and labor. The result has meant that the City has been blessed with great works of art that we can enjoy for years to come. Canine Therapy Project Canine Therapy Project provides advanced training to dogs and their handlers, as well as works with area agencies whose clientele could benefit from the presence of a therapy dog to serve as an outlet for comfort and companionship to vulnerable populations, such as those affected by abuse, neglect or sickness. CFF Community Fund Unrestricted gifts to the Community Focus Foundation are housed in the Community Fund. This allows the Board of Directors to respond to needs, to fund new innovative programming or to support ongoing projects and thus enhance the quality of community life. Community Relations Council The promotion of unity and harmony among the citizens and groups of citizens of this community in their relations with one another, and the recognition that every individual is endowed with certain fundamental human rights, are the basic goals sought to be achieved by the city and it's council. Funds collected are used for the activities and events that support those basic goals. Downtown Amenities Project Downtown amenities include but are not limited to historic lampposts, benches, trash receptacles and bicycle racks. This fund was initially established in order to collect community donations and provide naming opportunities for those amenities which currently exist in the downtown area. It is maintained to replace damaged items and to launch a new campaign when the implementation of the future downtown master plan begins. Mary C. Jenkins Community Center Project The Mary C. Jenkins Community Center Board and the citizens of the Rosenwald Community and surrounding areas are embarking on their greatest project ever, the MCJCC Revitalization Project. The MCJCC has been a vital part of the Rosenwald Community for more than 60 years, hosting everything from birthday parties, Girl Scout and garden club meetings, to 50th anniversary parties and scholarship award banquets. It has also offered tutoring to children and education to adults. The community desperately needs to recapture a large part of its history by restoring the center building. This will give citizens a sense of pride and ownership. With the completion of this project, the community will not only honor its history but also embrace the present and prepare fits citizens or the future. Otto Wood (Old Time Transylvania Organization WithOut Official Designation) OTTO WOOD is a group of friends working to preserve and prosper Old Time music and dance in Transylvania County. Those who play it today treasure the old tunes, songs and styles and are keeping alive the energy that once played a role in keeping many rural communities together. Accessible “front porch pickin’” music and social dancing still have the power to create and foster community in Transylvania. Old Time groups often donate their music for events organized by community non-profits and have taught as part of the Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) Program at the Cindy Platt Boys & Girls Club. OTTO WOOD also hosts the Transylvania Old Time Music Showcase, annually, at Halloweenfest. |
Rosenwald Alumni
The Rosenwald Alumni are committed to keeping their history alive through community activities, fellowship and education. The current project is the Rosenwald Memorial Peace Park, a collaborative effort to implement improvements to the Silversteen Playground and to create a home for the future park. This group also organized a reunion for all who attended the Rosenwald School that will likely become an annual event. They will be a collaborative partner in the effort to rebuild the Mary C. Jenkins Community Center. Sculpture Security Monies from the Sculpture Security Fund are used for needed repairs and for supporting efforts to locate offenders. Sk8 Brevard Sk8 Brevard aims to rebuild safe, legal and free skate spots in Brevard and Transylvania County, which can be sustained perpetually by non-commercial interests. Sk8 Brevard works to preserve skating, scootering and BMX bicycle riding on the same level as any athletic or recreation activity in the community. Toxaway Falls Garden Club Fund/ Toxaway Falls Garden Club Scholarship Each year the Toxaway Falls Garden Club raises money to provide scholarships for graduating seniors from Rosman High School. TC African American Historical Storyline Project TC African American Historical Storyline Project serves to positively capture, represent and depict our local African American history through various creative art forms and educational formats. Together, they will cherish, honor and share the story. It will bring much needed attention to portions of our local history that is very much under-represented, not just to locals but to those who visit our area. Transylvania Beekeeping Club The Transylvania Beekeeping Club provides education and support for local beekeepers and encourages others interested in raising honey bees to pursue beekeeping. Transylvania Tomorrow Transylvania County is a special place with small businesses that are at the heart of who we are and the driving force for our local economy. They represent people who love Transylvania County enough to stake their livelihood in our community. These businesses, who have served and supported residents and visitors for so long, are under significant threat due to COVID-19. Now, it’s our turn to serve and support them. If we want a vibrant community tomorrow, we must act today. The Transylvania Tomorrow Emergency Relief Fund will provide that action. The Transylvania Tomorrow Small Business Emergency Relief fund is an initiative created by the Transylvania Business Support Task Force to support Transylvania County small businesses during the COVID-19 epidemic. The program, which will be funded through the Community Focus Foundation 501(c)(3) will award grants up to $3,000 each. Businesses and organizations who are interested in supporting Transylvania County’s small business community during this time of crisis may contact Heart of Brevard Executive Director, Nicole Bentley at [email protected] or Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Clark Lovelace at [email protected]. Individuals may donate by mailing a check made payable to The Community Focus Foundation (CFF) at P.O. Box 215, Brevard, NC 28712 and noting Transylvania Tomorrow Fund. White Squirrel Institute White Squirrel Institute raises money for the conservation and rehabilitation of sick and injured white squirrels and area wildlife in Transylvania County. They are raise money by white squirrel adoption fon white squirrel counts and adoptions and are working with local licensed wildlife rehabilitators in their efforts to save injured members of our local unofficial mascot population. The preservation and conservation of Brevard’s white squirrel population and wildlife. To support licensed wildlife rehabilitators in their efforts to save injured white squirrels and wildlife in Transylvania County. |
PREVIOUS Community Initiative Funds
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Bracken Mountain Project
The Bracken Mountain Project Fund supports the efforts of the City of Brevard in the creation and enhancement of the Bracken Preserve. The trail was built as a hybrid project wherein the community committed to help prepare and finish the trail in order to save on costs incurred during the construction phase. This not only moved the project forward but also saved the City money. This fund helped provide meals for the volunteer “trail crew.” Brevard-Pietroasa Sculptural Residency This fund was established by Tom Bertrand in order to send sculptor, Aaron Alderman, to Brevard’s sister city, Pietroasa, Romania for a 2 month residency. During his stay, Aaron worked in a school and created a sculpture for that city. Monies are being held to pay annual international Sister City dues. Brick X Brick Brick x Brick is a mural project designed to enhance the community with original artwork. The first mural, representing musicians both well-known and local, was completed by Billy Smith and Ashley Lowe. Carolina Youth Mountain Bike League This fund supported a 5-race mountain bike series geared to kids K-12 and modeled loosely after the National Interscholastic Cycling Association. The goal was to evolve into the NC NICA in the near future. The races offered free workshops to teach kids about bicycle maintenance, nutrition, safety, trail etiquette and recovery as well as free contests. The hope was to create an environment for kids to learn, exercise and have fun at a low cost family setting. Mountain biking is a life-long sport and connects kids to the outdoors. The structures of the races were quite different from most organized school sports. Parents could participate in the feed zone during the races and ride with the kids when training for the races in the forests. With over 400 miles of trails open to bikes, Transylvania County is the perfect fit. C.H.A.T. (Citizens Helping Animals of Transylvania) A group of citizens who volunteer their time because they believe that every animal deserves a chance to be in a loving and safe home and will do whatever they can to make sure that every puppy, dog, kitten, and cat gets a fighting chance. Everything they do is for the animals and for the wonderful shelter in Transylvania County. C.H.A.T wants to bring more awareness to the shelter and to the animals that temporarily live there. Friends of the Animal Shelter The Friends of the Animal Shelter has now become a 501(c)(3) so is no longer running their contributions through the Community Focus Foundation. However, during the initial stages of their organization and their fund raising, they were able to take advantage of the tax deduction that the Foundation offers. The goal of FOTAS was to provide private funding to facilitate the county’s construction of a new animal shelter. That goal has been accomplished and they will now concentrate on other animal-related issues. Heart of Brevard Projects: July 4th Fireworks The 4th of July Fireworks have been a mainstay in our local celebration for years. As the expense increased, it became necessary to get financial support from area businesses. The fireworks are part of the Heart of Brevard's July 4th Celebration event. That organization is now a 501(c)(3). Main Street Alive, White Squirrel Festival Music Sponsors who qualify for a tax deduction for their donation toward music expenses at the White Squirrel Festival were run through this fund. This event is coordinated by the Heart of Brevard which is now a 501(c)(3). Peak Sports/Peak Sports 1 Peak Sports is an off-season traveling sports program for girls' volleyball and basketball teams. The Hunger Coalition of Transylvania County The mission of The Hunger Coalition of Transylvania County is to support families and individuals who are experiencing food insecurity and economic hardship until such time as they can become self-sufficient. The elimination of food insecurity is ultimately dependent on a strong local economy. The Coalition will work to improve the response to the worsening hunger situation in the county, raise awareness of food insecurity and the effects thereof, and support existing economic development initiatives currently underway in the county. |
TC Youth Health Program
The mission of this fund is to engage our youth in learning skills so that increased interest will be developed for physical activities that can help promote healthy living throughout their adult lives. The fund will help provide exposure, experience, and encouragement through instruction, equipment, educational information and transportation. Transylvania Farmers' Market Now a 501(c)3 organization, being one of CFF's funds and being able to accept tax-deductible donations was integral to the development and growth of The Transylvania Farmers' Market. While working toward their 501(c)3 status, the Market was able to accept donations through CFF that helped to pay for operating expenses, events, live music, marketing & advertising, and much more. Transylvania French Broad Stewards The Transylvania French Broad Stewards is a voluntary citizen organization whose purpose is to promote the natural and economic vitality of the French Broad River. The organization accomplishes its purpose through:
Transylvania Sports & Recreation Foundation The Transylvania Sports & Recreation Foundation will use these independently raised funds to promote and support recreation and sports in Transylvania County in order to improve the quality of life of all residents. It will benefit youth of all ages and include public and private schools, Brevard College, Blue Ridge Community College and young people in general. By providing additional funding for facilities and by helping with maintenance and upkeep, this organization can promote sports and recreation as a means of economic development in Transylvania County. Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas The purpose of this military museum is to provide an avenue for people to appreciate and honor the men and women who served so bravely in our Armed Forces. Some examples of what the museum features includes one-of-a kind artifacts, uniforms, weaponry, original newspapers, personal letters, etc. All of these special items weave the great and proud stories of World War I, World War II, Korea, The Cold War, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. They display and help us empathize with the wonder, but also the danger of our involvement in these wars, and the unique sacrifice of our military men and women. Love of country plus gratitude to those who served proudly equals the museum’s theme for all ages, both young and old. VISION Transylvania VISION Transylvania is a community leadership development program which prepares emerging and existing leaders to be informed, involved and committed, to form a network for cooperative community trusteeship and to utilize the team approach to solving local problems. VISION became at 501(c)(3) in 2013. |
For more information:
[email protected]
To make a tax deductible donation, make check payable to "Community Focus Foundation",
note the fund you would like to donate to in the memo section of your check, and mail to:
PO Box 215, Brevard, NC 28712
[email protected]
To make a tax deductible donation, make check payable to "Community Focus Foundation",
note the fund you would like to donate to in the memo section of your check, and mail to:
PO Box 215, Brevard, NC 28712
