Legacy Leaders

Building a Stronger Future for the Gorge

Be Part of the Legacy That Strengthens The Heart of the Gorge

The Legacy of Giving

The Legacy Leaders program was established to ensure the long-term health and vitality of the Hickory Nut Gorge community. What began as a simple idea—to create a lasting source of local support—has grown into a cornerstone of the Foundation’s mission.

Legacy Leaders pledge $250 per year for 10 years, creating a steady, sustainable investment in the Foundation’s Endowment Fund. Each gift helps the Foundation award grants to local nonprofits and organizations that improve the lives of our neighbors, protect our natural resources, and strengthen the bonds that make this region so unique.

Thanks to this commitment, the Hickory Nut Gorge Foundation has awarded 61 grants totaling $431,000 to community organizations over the years—and that impact continues to grow.

Your Legacy at Work

Every contribution from our Legacy Leaders makes a tangible difference right here at home. The Endowment generates annual grant funding that supports projects and programs focused on health, safety, education, environment, and community resilience.

Legacy Leaders have helped fund:

Critical relief efforts following Hurricane Helene
Educational initiatives for local youth
Food security programs supporting families in need
Community projects that bring people together in hope and rebuilding

Each grant is a testament to the belief that small, consistent acts of generosity can create extraordinary results.

Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach — $10,000 in Community Relief

When Hurricane Helene struck, Outreach faced immense challenges in providing aid. Thanks to a Legacy Leader-funded grant, they were able to purchase and distribute food, water, clothing, and essential supplies—and invest in a generator that preserved thousands of pounds of food during extended power outages.

“Just a day after the hurricane passed, a young couple came for help. She was pregnant, and their home in Chimney Rock—and all its contents—were gone. We were able to give them food, gift cards, clothing, and a dozen other things. The hurricane was massive, but the efforts to recover were many and small… These ‘small things’ made it possible to say, with conviction, Lake Lure will come back.”
— Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach

How To Become A Legacy Leader

Join the dedicated group of donors who are shaping a resilient, thriving Hickory Nut Gorge—today and for generations to come.

Pledge

Commit to giving $250 per year for 10 years to help sustain the Foundation’s Endowment Fund.

Invest

Your contribution is placed directly into the Endowment, where it grows and funds annual community grants.

Impact

Your generosity helps strengthen local nonprofits, support families, and build a more resilient Gorge.

Become A Legacy Leader

Leave a Legacy That Lasts

Your $250 annual gift ensures that the Hickory Nut Gorge Foundation continues to provide vital support for local nonprofits and community programs. It’s more than a donation—it’s a promise to keep the Gorge strong for future generations.

Together, we’re rebuilding, renewing, and reaffirming what makes this place so special—its people, its heart, and its enduring spirit.