Catawba Nation Foundation awards $800,000 in 2025 community grants

The Catawba Nation Foundation (CNF) has awarded $800,000 in 2025 grants to nonprofit organizations advancing cultural preservation, education, economic development, and environmental stewardship across the Catawba Nation, the Cleveland County region, and Native American communities in North Carolina.

The 2025 recipients reflect a shared commitment to honoring Native heritage and investing in sustainable communities.

CNF 2025 Grant Awards:

2026 Catawba Nation Powwow

Boys & Girls Club Catawba Nation Youth Development

Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland County

Broad River Community Market

Catawba Cultural Center

Catawba Junction Wildlife

Catawba Lands Conservancy

Catawba Nation Department of Natural Resources

Catawba Nation Economic Development Department

Catawba Nation Family and Social Services

Catawba Nation Head Start/Iswa Early Learning

Catawba Nation Housing Department

Catawba Nation Senior Center

Catawba Nation Wellness Department

Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation

Cleveland Community College

Cleveland County Arts Council

Cleveland County Chamber

Cleveland County Schools Educational Foundation

Cleveland Vocational Industries

Coharie Tribe

Community Math Academy

Cultural Burn Association

Cumberland County Association for Indian People

Daniel Stowe Conservancy

Davidson Association

Destination Cleveland County (Earl Scruggs Center)

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina

Gaston County Education Foundation

Habitat for Humanity in Cleveland County

Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region

Indigenous Imagination

Julian T. Pierce Legacy Foundation

Kings Mountain Historical Museum Foundation

Lumbee Cultural and Preservation Conservation Program

Metrolina Native American Affiliate

Mt. Calvary Community Builders

NC Literacy and Historical Association

North Carolina Museum of History

North Carolina Native American Youth Organization

Old Main STREAM Academy

Onslow Veterans Pow Wow

Piedmont Council, Scouting America

Rape Crisis Center of Robeson County

Roanoke Island Historical Association

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Triangle Native American Society

UNC Health Foundation – Dr. Joseph Bell Scholarship Endowment

UNC-Chapel Hill – American Indian Center

United Katehnuaka Longhouse

United Way of Cleveland County

Washington Outreach Ministry

A Commitment to Community

"The Catawba Nation Foundation is honored to support these organizations whose work

uplifts our people, preserves our culture, and strengthens our communities," said Kristine

Urrutia, Executive Director of the Catawba Nation Foundation. "These grants represent our

shared vision of honoring tradition while creating opportunities for future generations."

The Foundation will continue its commitment to funding nonprofit partners that serve the Catawba Nation, Cleveland County, and Native communities across North Carolina. Future

grant opportunities will be announced on the Foundation’s website.

Catawba Nation Chief and Chair of the Catawba Nation Foundation, Brian Harris, shared, “I am proud of the great work we are accomplishing across North and South Carolina. The Foundation not only uplifts Catawba citizens but also serves the general public through programs in education, health, housing, workforce development, and cultural preservation.

By supporting families, investing in our youth, and strengthening community services, we are proving what is possible when we lead with vision and responsibility. Together, we are building opportunities that honor our heritage, serve our neighbors, and open doors for future generations. The Catawba Foundation is not only making a difference today- it is

creating a lasting impact that will be felt for decades to come.”

For updates and eligibility details, visit: www.catawbanationfoundation.org/what-we-fund.

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About the Catawba Nation Foundation

The Catawba Nation Foundation is an independent nonprofit foundation funded primarily by gaming revenues generated by Two Kings Casino. The Foundation’s mission is to fund projects that focus on educational advancement, cultural preservation, environmental conservation, and economic development for the Catawba Nation, Cleveland County, and the surrounding region, as well as Native American Tribal Nations and community organizations throughout North Carolina.

The Foundation is governed by a governor-appointed board that includes: Chief Brian Harris of the Catawba Nation and Chair of the Board; Assistant Chief Patricia Leach of the Catawba Nation and Vice Chair of the Board; John Searby, Executive Director of Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation and Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden and Secretary of the Board; Newton Craver, President of Shelby Loan and Mortgage Corporation and Treasurer of the Board; Jennifer Beck Walker, Senior Vice President–Small Business Lending Non-Card Credit Strategy Manager at Bank of America; Nicole Braswell, Service Manager at Husqvarna Group; Lacey Edwards, Educator at York Preparatory Academy; Phillip Glover, Owner of Safe Lane Driving School; Harvey Godwin, Jr., Owner of Two Hawk Employment Services, LLC and former Tribal Chairman of the Lumbee Tribe of NC; Deb Hardin, Cleveland County Commissioner; Omar Porter, Director of Community Engagement at Cleveland Community College; and Brooke Richey, Marketing Professional.

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