NEWS

Gaston County's Glenn Foundation gives out $232,000 to 20 non-profits in its 50th year

Staff reports
Sixteen-year-old Faith Nyberg, Steve Barfield and 13-year-old Carson Hollingworth work to construct an entryway ramp for the Mayne family on Ellis Road Wednesday morning, June 20, 2018. Steve Barfield and a group of teen with Carolina Cross Connection in Gaston County help homeowners in need of repairs and upgrades each summer. The Glenn Foundation awarded Carolina Cross Connection a grant in 2022 to help the organization continue its work.

Twenty non-profit organizations serving Gaston County will benefit from grants of $232,000 this year, celebrating the 50th year of grantmaking by The Carrie E. and Lena V. Glenn Foundation.

The latest awards bring the Foundation’s contributions to area nonprofits to more than $9.295 million since 1972.

The Schiele Museum of Natural History received a grant for its Catawba Village Enhancement project.

“Thrilled is what comes to mind when we think of the impact that this gift will have for The Schiele”, said Ann Tippitt, executive director. “We are looking forward to sharing an enriched Catawba Village experience with all of our visitors, from school groups to the general public. The support from the Glenn Foundation will allow us to enhance the dioramas within the Catawba Village structures and improve signage so that visitors can explore the site on their own. We are excited about improving the displays and enhancing the experience for our visitors as they learn about the Catawba”.

Other grants will fund an Animal League of Gaston County project to provide medical services to pets owned by veterans and elderly individuals, the second phase of the South Fork River health project to improve water quality by Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation, and a Client Relationship Manager system for Crisis Assistance Ministry.

“Our Board of Directors experiences deep and humbling satisfaction by awarding grants in our community each year. We are honored to continue the legacy of Carrie and Lena Glenn established 50 years ago to provide assistance ‘where needed most to do the most good," said Jennifer Davis, board chairperson.

The Carrie E. & Lena V. Glenn Foundation is a private foundation created from the estates of two Gaston County sisters, one a teacher and one a librarian. The nine-member board of directors includes Richard Blackburn, CaroMont Health; Dwayne Burks, Gateway Gaston; David Christy, Catawba Valley District United Methodist Church; Ann Davis, retired, Gaston Hospice; Jennifer Davis, Jennifer P. Davis and Associates; David Rogers, retired; Gregory Sellers, Tandem Senior Living Advisors, Inc.; Lauren Sease Vanacore, Gaston Community Foundation; and Vincent Wong, Gaston County Administration.

The Foundation sponsors a grant cycle once a year with a deadline of March 1. Grant applications may be requested through the Contact Us page on the Foundation’s website at www.theglennfoundation.org.

For questions or additional information, contact executive director Laura Lineberger at glennfnd@bellsouth.net or 704-867-0296.

Hannah Mullis began working at Mount Holly's Shining Hope Farms five years ago. Her constant contact with horses inspired her project on how horses react to being used for hippotherapy, a type of therapy in which horse riding helps those with intellectual, behavioral and physical disabilities. Shining Hope Farms was one of 20 local organizations to receive grants in 2022 from The Glenn Foundation.

List of grants

Here are the grants the Carrie E. and Lena V. Glenn Foundation gave in 2022, in order of name of the organization, category, program getting help, and amount.

  • Animal League of Gaston County, Health/Science, Healthy Pets/Happy Hearts Program, $6,500 
  • Bit of Hope Ranch, Human Services, Mow to Grow, $3,920 
  • Cancer Services of Gaston County, Health/Science, Patient Assistance Program, $10,000 
  • Carolina Cross Connection, Human Services, Home Repair Program, $5,000 
  • Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation, Environment, South Fork River Health Project, $20,000 
  • Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Arts/Culture, Helping Hands Concerts, $5,000 
  • Crisis Assistance Ministry, Human Services, Client Relationship Manager, $10,000 
  • Dallas-High Shoals Christian Ministry, Human Services, Emergency Assistance Program, $10,000 
  • Dream Center Academy, Education, High School Academy, $15,000 
  • Gaston County Education Foundation, Education, Highland School of Technology Labs, $25,000 
  • Gaston County Family YMCA, Children/Youth, Summer Lunch Program, $8,500 
  • Gaston Literacy Council, Education, Aztec Software Learning System, $4,980 
  • Gaston School of the Arts, Arts/Culture, Arts for All Program, $10,000 
  • Gaston Together, Civic, Civic Engagement Leadership, $12,000 
  • Heart Society of Gaston County, Health/Science, Medication Assistance Program, $12,000 
  • NC Wildlife Federation, Environment, Connecting to Nature Program, $10,000 
  • Off the Streets Program, Human Services, Transitional Living House, $15,000 
  • Salvation Army Center of Hope, Human Services, HVAC Units, $29,000 
  • Shining Hope Farms, Human Services, Equine Assisted Therapy, $4,000 
  • The Schiele Museum of Natural History, Health/Science, Catawba Village Enhancement Project, $16,100