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Greater Cabarrus Foundation Launches Affiliate Community Funds to Strengthen Local Philanthropy

The Greater Cabarrus Foundation is proud to announce the launch of Affiliate Community Funds, a new initiative designed to empower individuals, groups, and organizations to support their local communities while leveraging the expertise and resources of the Foundation.

Affiliate Community Funds are endowed charitable funds created to benefit a particular geographic area or community. They operate under the umbrella of the Greater Cabarrus Foundation, combining local leadership with professional fund management and grantmaking support. These funds inspire local philanthropy by providing resources, expertise, and funding to area nonprofits, amplifying their impact in the communities they serve.

“Affiliate Community Funds are a way for local leaders and donors to have a lasting impact in their communities while tapping into the expertise of the Greater Cabarrus Foundation,” said Robbie Furr, Director of Development at the Greater Cabarrus Foundation. “By combining local insight with professional fund management, these funds create opportunities for meaningful, sustainable philanthropy that benefits residents today and for generations to come.”

How Affiliate Funds Work

Affiliate Community Funds operate through a model of strong local leadership. Each fund is guided by an advisory board made up of community members who understand the unique needs, strengths, and priorities of their specific area. These leaders help shape the fund’s direction and ensure that charitable resources are invested where they can have the greatest impact.

A central focus of each affiliate is to inspire local philanthropy. Individuals connected with the fund work to attract donors and build endowed resources that support causes within their community. By cultivating a local culture of giving, affiliates help ensure that critical needs are met both now and in the future.

When endowed resources generate available funding, the local advisory board oversees the distribution of grants to nonprofits. These grants are designed to be meaningful, equitable, and aligned with community priorities. While the local board leads the grantmaking decisions, the Greater Cabarrus Foundation provides essential support in finance, development, and investment, ensuring that the funds continue to grow and remain sustainable over time.

Benefits of an Affiliate Structure

The affiliate model offers donors and community leaders the advantages of professional management through the Greater Cabarrus Foundation. All administrative tasks, such as gift receipting, donor records, fund accounting, and grant tracking, are handled by GCF, allowing local leaders to focus fully on community impact rather than administrative complexity.

Affiliates also gain access to a broad range of resources that help amplify their local philanthropic efforts. This includes support for fundraising strategy, marketing and communications, a presence on the GCF website and giving portal, and assistance with planned giving and non-cash contributions such as stock transfers and gifts of real estate. These resources expand each affiliate’s capacity to make a measurable difference.

By building endowed funds, affiliates create long-term sustainability for their communities. Earnings from these funds generate grants and scholarships that will continue supporting local needs well into the future, making them a lasting investment in community well-being.

Ultimately, Affiliate Community Funds strengthen communities by keeping philanthropy rooted in local priorities. With a dedicated local advisory board and the support of GCF’s expertise, affiliates work collaboratively to enhance the quality of life for residents and build stronger, more resilient communities.

Marking a New Chapter: Two Affiliate Community Funds Launched

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Uwharrie Community Fund

The Uwharrie Community Fund is a permanently endowed fund benefiting the Uwharrie Bank service area—including Anson, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, and Stanly counties—and any additional areas the bank may serve in the future. Designed to strengthen local philanthropy, the fund provides a lasting vehicle for individuals, families, and organizations to give back to their communities. Gifts are invested for long-term growth, with annual distributions supporting charitable purposes that enhance the quality of life throughout the region.

“The founding mission of Uwharrie has always been to help create robust local economies and a quality of life that promotes our shared values,” said Roger Dick, President and CEO of Uwharrie Capital Corp. “To us, it’s about more than the bottom line; it’s about making a difference. Partnering with the Greater Cabarrus Foundation allows us to expand that mission, ensuring that the generosity we cultivate today continues to serve our neighbors for generations to come.”

Brian Floyd, Market President with Uwharrie, added that the partnership ensures local needs are met with precision. “This fund represents a meaningful evolution in how we support our region. By combining local decision-making with the Foundation’s professional resources, we can ensure that every dollar invested stays true to the community’s specific needs while growing over time to meet the challenges of the future.”

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Ben Mynatt Children’s Fund

The Ben Mynatt Children’s Fund honors and expands the philanthropic legacy of the Ben Mynatt family. Rooted in the history of the Ben Mynatt Children’s Foundation, founded in 2002 in memory of local businessman Ben Mynatt, the fund focuses on supporting children, particularly those with physical, mental, or economic disadvantages. Grants are directed to IRS-approved charities, helping to bridge gaps in care and opportunity for the community’s most vulnerable residents.

“A few months after my dad passed away, his dear friend Rusty Shealy approached us with the idea of creating a foundation in his honor,” said Cyndie Mynatt, Chair of the Ben Mynatt Children’s Fund. “Rusty, who has a daughter with disabilities and had already launched a similar foundation in Mecklenburg County, believed Cabarrus County needed the same kind of support. He felt this would be a meaningful way to remember my father while filling a real gap in our community.”

As the fund transitions into its new structure with the Greater Cabarrus Foundation, the organization is laying the groundwork for long-term impact.

“After more than 25 years of work, our board knew it was time to secure a long-term vision for the Foundation,” Mynatt said. “Partnering with the Greater Cabarrus Foundation allows us to establish an endowment for the first time, ensuring our mission can continue indefinitely—not just year by year. This affiliation also helps us connect with new supporters who share our commitment to serving children in need.”

For Mynatt, the heart of the fund’s work is reflected in the nonprofits it supports.

“Every year, when we listen to the stories shared by the nonprofits at our check presentation, we’re reminded how precious every dollar truly is,” she said. “Any contribution we make is multiplied many times over through their dedication and love for the children they serve. It humbles us and motivates us to keep doing everything we can to support their work.”

Join the Movement

Affiliate Community Funds provide a meaningful way for individuals, families, and organizations to strengthen their local communities while benefiting from professional fund management and long-term sustainability. Whether establishing a new fund or contributing to an existing affiliate, donors can help ensure that local nonprofits have the resources they need to make a lasting impact.

Learn more about donating or creating an Affiliate Community Fund at: greatercabarrusfoundation.org/invest/affiliates

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