The Bertie-Hertford Community Foundation expects to award substantially more in grants to eligible organizations beginning this year and two events will be held in May for organizations to learn more.
BHCF, an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation, made over $6,000 in grants from its community grantmaking fund last year. This year, and in future years, that amount will be significantly more.
The additional grantmaking is supported by the Wayland L. Jenkins Jr. Endowment. Jenkins, a local businessman who helped found BHCF, left an extraordinary gift of nearly $23 million to his endowment at NCCF for Bertie and Hertford counties after his death in 2024. Grants will be made annually from investment earnings, creating one of NCCF’s largest community-based grantmaking programs.
“Through Wayland Jenkins’ powerful legacy, we’re proud to grow the reach of our grantmaking and are grateful to every community member who helped shape this effort,” said Laura Beasley, advisory board president of the Bertie-Hertford Community Foundation. “We encourage organizations to learn more about this amazing opportunity and apply for grants.”
To prepare for the increased grantmaking, NCCF and BHCF worked with community members in Bertie and Hertford counties throughout 2025 to learn more about strengths, needs and opportunities that the Jenkins Endowment could support. More than 200 people provided feedback through two community listening sessions. Two focus group sessions were held to dive deeper into issues with community organizations and partners.
All grant applications from eligible charitable organizations and partnerships supporting Bertie and Hertford counties will be considered for funding. This includes applications that address the following community needs identified through listening sessions and focus groups held in 2025:
- Education and youth development
- Physical and mental health and well-being
- Employment and workforce development
- Housing
Learn more about the community's feedback.
Grant applications will open on July 24 and close at noon on Aug. 25. The BHCF advisory board expects to make grant awards between $5,000 and $50,000. BHCF will also consider requests to make grants of more or less than those amounts. Visit the NCCF website to learn more about how to apply.
Upcoming Events
Two optional, in-person workshops will be held for organizations interested in applying. To ensure there is space for all interested organizations, please select one workshop and register in advance on the NCCF website.
Attendance has no impact on grant award decisions. |
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