Giving Beyond The Horizon

The Hickory Nut Gorge Foundation (HNGF) was founded in 2006 by Hickory Nut Gorge residents, James and Susan Dunn. Along with a handful of friends and supporters, the organization was formed out of our mutual desire to put the words, “leaving a place better than you found it,” into tangible results.

In its simplest terms, the Foundation was created as an endowment that will last forever. Our purpose is to help preserve, improve and serve the environment, wildlife and people who live in the Gorge, both now and in the future. 

Our organization awards grants to nonprofit organizations in the Gorge. Giving to the HNGF makes a permanent difference for future generations that will live in the Gorge. That’s because the earnings from your financial gifts are invested back into the Gorge. It becomes a legacy that outlasts our own lives.

Why Give?

It’s a good question.

Chances are you already support organizations you care about by giving to them directly. You can actually make a greater and more lasting impact by giving to the
Hickory Nut Gorge Foundation.

That’s because gifts given to the Foundation are never spent – only invested. The earnings from the gift are invested back into the Gorge in the way of grants to the organizations and people you care most about. The more you give, the more we can give to them. Your gift is your permanent legacy.

It is a lasting and unique way for you to ensure that those you love will be able to enjoy this place for generations to come. It is certainly a wonderful act to leave to your children and their children, your home and your land.

However, it is a truly lasting act to contribute to an endowment that is dedicated and bound to making sure that its earnings are always and forever utilized right here in your community and for the people and causes that are dear to you and your family.

The Arts

Education

Conservation and wildlife protection

Economic vitality

Enhanced Health and quality of life

Ways To Give

Assets to consider in planning your gifs include cash, securities, life insurance or real estate. By pooling gifts of all sizes, we can provide significant support for local needs.
Gifts in honor or memory of friends and family are always welcome.

You may give as little or and much as you wish. There is no set limit on contribution.

Other Meaningful Ways to Give

• Include the Foundation in your will and in your estate planning

• Work on one of our many volunteer committees

• Join the board

• Tell your friends & neighbors about us

• Become a sponsor of the annual Community Impact Awards Gala

Bulletin Board

Bringing Quality Healthcare Closer

The Gorge residents and those of nearby communities have longed for primary health care closer to home to avoid a lengthy round trip for family check-ups, routine tests and special medical supplies. Thanks to the Mountain Area...

HNG Community Center

Helping the Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Community Center in Gerton renovate its kitchen. This building is one of the oldest community centers in the state of North Carolina and...

Olympiad and Lure of the Dragons

In the early stages of the HNG Olympiad and Dragon Boat Races, the Foundation provided essential seed money to help these all-volunteer driven organizations make necessary purchases to grow their events...

The Foundation

Officers

Chairman - Bob Keith
Vice-Chairman - Peter O'Leary
Treasurer - Jack Barton
Secretary - Dawn Regan

Board Members

Kevin Cooley
Tommy Hartzog
Ned Kiser
Jim Nordberg
Jim Rhodes
April Sottile
Ric Thurlby
Woody Turner

Past Board Members

Ann Herman-Nedhi, a Founder
James P. Dunn, a Founder
Angelo Grillo
Thomas McKay , a Founder
Edith Bond
Stuart Richardson
Cathy Leestma
Andy Bell, Advisor
Jim Proctor
Bill Miller
Cornee Yountz
Jeanine Nobel

Core Values

We are responsible for the future of the Gorge.
We are responsible to and for each other.
We strive to do the best thing, for the best reason, in the best way.

Our Awards

On appearances, the grants we award are not big and splashy in terms of specific amounts, but they are significant in far more lasting ways.
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Founders Circle

As a small early-stage community foundation, building up the endowment upon which it exists, is vitally important. It is the only significant way in which to deepen the impact of the organization over time.
READ MORE