The McDowell Foundation recently announced $50,000 in grants to local nonprofit organizations that provide critical services for economically disadvantaged people.

"The board is thrilled to support the very important work these local charitable organizations are doing to help those in need in McDowell County,” said Laura Dover Doran, chairwoman of The McDowell Foundation.

One of the grants is $25,000 to McDowell Mission Ministries for the Homeless Extended Life-Support program. It seeks to provide six months of extended case management and support for up to 12 homeless clients who are transitioning back to independence. This program should prevent them from returning to homelessness.

Another grant is $25,000 to YMCA of Western North Carolina’s Corpening Center to support afterschool programs for middle school students.

The McDowell Foundation, an affiliate of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC), was established in 1995 by a group of local residents to be a permanent endowment and resource for charitable efforts that benefit McDowell County. The local volunteer board of directors works to raise funds to support nonprofits providing services in McDowell County. Currentboard members are: Laura Dover Doran, chairwoman; Ellen "Bunnie" S. Burgin, Sim Butler, Arthur Campbell, Becky Cross, Sim Cross, Amy England, W. Hill Evans, Nancy Hunter, Garland Norton, Sharon L. Parker and Joy Shuford.

For more information about The McDowell Foundation, contact chairwoman Laura Dover Doran at 724-4667 or (828) 273-5858. To make a tax-deductible donation to The McDowell Foundation, donate on-line at www.cfwnc.org or by mail to The McDowell Foundation,P.O. Box 55, Marion, NC 28752-0055. Contributions of any size are welcome and are tax-deductible.

The Community Foundation is a nonprofit serving 18 counties in western North Carolina. The Foundation is a permanent regional resource that facilitates more than $8 million in charitable giving annually. CFWNC inspires philanthropy and mobilizes resources to enrich lives and communities in western North Carolina.

CFWNC supports the growth of its affiliate funds, such as The McDowell Foundation, to extend the benefits of philanthropy across the region. To learn more about The Community Foundation, call (828) 254-4960 or visit www.cfwnc.org.