Our People

Our Board

Sherry M. Carter, Chair

Peter R. Franklin, Vice Chair

A. Thomas Jackson, Treasurer

Monica E. Jones, Secretary

Norma W. Batchelder

Kevin D. Burnett

Carolyn Gibson

Dale L. McEntire

Susan S. McHugh

Frances H. Parker

Our Staff

Sara Bell, President & CEO: sbell@polkccf.org

Susan Campbell, Director of Finance: scampbell@polkccf.org

Melanie Campbell-Cobb, Director of Operations: mcampbell-cobb@polkccf.org

Tonya Staley, Office Manager: foundation@polkccf.org

Noah Wood, Director of Grants: grants@polkccf.org

Our Process

Dedicated staff and more than 30 board and committee members keep, in perpetuity, all promises the Foundation makes to local philanthropists by always awarding grants and scholarships in accordance with donor wishes. Experienced local nonprofit volunteers enjoy their rotations of service to our community's foundation. Volunteers have remarked that evaluating grants for the Foundation is like having a front row seat to everything good that is happening in the community.

Vision & Mission

The vision of the Polk County Community Foundation is to advance philanthropy and improve the quality of life for all citizens in Polk County, North Carolina and the surrounding area.

The mission of the Polk County Community Foundation is to:

  • Support charitable and beneficial activities in the community

  • Provide and administer a variety of planned giving programs

  • Serve as a responsible steward of all funds entrusted to it

  • Provide initiative in recognizing areas of community needs and supporting solutions.

By the Numbers

  • 49 Years of Continuous Service to the Polk County & Landrum Community

  • $73 Million in Annually Audited & Professionally Managed Assets*

  • 45% of Assets Were Donated for the Foundation to Address Evolving Community Priorities in its Discretion*

  • $10.4 Million in Grants & Scholarships Awarded in the Past Five Years

  • 92 Local Students Awarded Scholarships in 2022

  • 84 Local Organizations Awarded Grants in the Past Five Years

  • 27 Local Organizations Have Established Permanent Funds at the Foundation

  • 50 Local Organizations Receive Annual Distributions from Endowment Funds

  • $2.5 Million in Annual Average Gifts & Bequests Since 2005*

  • 0 Fundraising Events or Campaigns

  • 229 Permanent Endowed Funds & Non-Permanent Funds

  • Many Options for Donors

     (All numbers as of Fiscal Year End 2023)
 

* Includes the Marjorie M. and Lawrence R. Bradley Endowment Fund, a separate corporation established by Marjorie Bradley’s will.