For the second year in a row, the Stanly County Community Foundation has awarded some of the largest grants in its history.

This year, the board awarded $65,220 to 18 local nonprofits, including the Talent Company of Albemarle and Special Olympics North Carolina. Grants support causes ranging from health and human services to the arts. SCCF — an affiliate of Charlotte-based Foundation For The Carolinas — has awarded a record $115,410 over the last two years.

The grant-making growth is due to the establishment of the Crook Community Fund — honoring the late C.B. Crook, a founding member of the Stanly County Community Foundation — and Give, Grant, Grow Stanly, a new partnership between the Stanly County Community Foundation and Foundation For The Carolinas.

With Give, Grant, Grow Stanly, current and former board members’ contributions are matched by FFTC and awarded to local nonprofits. Thanks to the Crook Community Fund and Give, Grant, Grow Stanly, local grants have grown 114 percent since 2016.

“Our board is thrilled to see grant making continue to grow,” said Chris Poplin, Stanly County Community Foundation board chair. “We are so fortunate to have strong local nonprofits and we are honored to increase our support of their important work.”

The Talent Company of Albemarle was one of the beneficiaries of SCCF’s increased grant funding.

Its mission is to provide youth in Stanly County and the surrounding area with a formative, creative outlet in a positive, nurturing environment, to provide the community with high quality theatre performances and to produce shows with ticket prices accessible to all. Funding from SCCF will help purchase performance rights for their expanded season.

“We are excited about our 2018-2019 season and the enthusiasm of our youth to expand our season to three productions,” said Rebekah Ayscue, board member. “Encouraging our youth’s energy is our priority, and we look forward to sharing that energy with the community. Many thanks to Stanly County Community Foundation for helping bring this season to life.”

Special Olympics Stanly County was another recipient of grant funding. It provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

This gives them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Funding will support the expansion of golf and bowling activities within Stanly County.

“We are so grateful for support from the Stanly County Community Foundation, as these funds will help us expand sports opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities in Stanly County,” said Keith Fishburne, president and CEO of Special Olympics North Carolina. “Additionally, we look forward to supporting new athlete growth with sports expansion opportunities supported by the Foundation.”

Additional recipients include Bridge to Recovery for addiction recovery services, Charlotte Symphony to bring a free community concert to Stanly County, GHA Autism Supports to provide new telehealth medical services to aging adults with autism, Pfeiffer University for an immersive STEM camp experience and Stanly Community College to support the Agribusiness Technology Program.

For a full listing of the grants awarded by the Stanly County Community Foundation, visit www.stanlycounty-cf.org.

About the Stanly County Community Foundation

Established in 1999 as a permanent endowment, the Stanly County Community Foundation benefits a wide range of charitable purposes in Stanly County. As an affiliate of Charlotte-based Foundation For The Carolinas, the Stanly County Community Foundation inspires philanthropy, increases charitable giving and strengthens the community.

Stanly County Community Foundation Board of Trustees includes chairman Chris Poplin, vice chairwoman Colleen Keith, immediate past chairman Marshall Rogers, Dawn Allen, F. Rogers Brafford II, Paul Childress, Roger Dick, Leon Frederick, David Grigg, William Grigg, Jerry Jordan, John Lowder, Judy Pierce, Art Rogers Jr., C. Wayne Sasser, Ed Shimpock and Mike Snyder.