Columbus County Community Foundation invests $120,000 in local nonprofits and programs

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Columbus County Community Foundation has awarded more than $120,000 in grants to 26 organizations supporting programs and services throughout the county.

The foundation announced Tuesday that it awarded $120,588 through its 2026 grant cycle to nonprofits, schools, churches and community organizations focused on improving the quality of life for Columbus County residents.

Projects receiving funding address a variety of needs, including food insecurity, youth development, literacy, arts, health services, autism support, emergency preparedness, technology upgrades and community events.

Some of the largest grants awarded include:

• $11,000 to HEARTS for community events.
• $11,000 to Lake Waccamaw Food Ministry for general operating support.
• $10,000 to Columbus County Partnership for Children for its Resilience Navigator for Families and Communities program.
• $10,000 to Ransom Activity Center for HVAC replacements.
• $9,503 to Community CPR for general operating support.

Other grants will support food pantries, youth sports, childhood cancer assistance, Special Olympics programs, arts initiatives, historic preservation and educational programs.

“Strengthening communities starts with supporting the organizations doing the work on the ground,” said Randolph Keaton, president of the Columbus County Community Foundation Advisory Board. “We’re helping donors turn generosity into enduring support across our community.”

The grants were funded through the foundation’s Community Grantmaking Fund and the Columbus Anonymous Fund, which supports literacy, food insecurity, human services and efforts to alleviate poverty.

Founded in 1999, the Columbus County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation and is led by a volunteer advisory board made up of local community members.

The North Carolina Community Foundation manages more than 1,300 endowments totaling over $600 million in assets and has awarded nearly $360 million in grants and scholarships across the state.

More information about the Columbus County Community Foundation is available on the North Carolina Community Foundation’s website.