Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Go to
www.irs.gov/Form990 for instructions and the latest information.
| (i) Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 10 above (see instructions)) | (iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document? | (v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions) | (vi) Amount of other support (see instructions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |||||
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Total |
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Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
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(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | 7,500,298 | 7,500,631 | 7,500,000 | 7,500,000 | 750,000 | 30,750,929 |
| 2 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf .... | ||||||
| 3 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 4 | Total. Add lines 1 through 3 | 7,500,298 | 7,500,631 | 7,500,000 | 7,500,000 | 750,000 | 30,750,929 |
| 5 | The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f) .. | 29,384,393 | |||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 1,366,536 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 7,500,298 | 7,500,631 | 7,500,000 | 7,500,000 | 750,000 | 30,750,929 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 3,331 | 4,018 | 1,241 | 8,012 | 1,320 | 17,922 |
| 9 | Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.. | ||||||
| 10 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.).. | 11,474 | 11,474 | ||||
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 30,780,325 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal
year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") . | ||||||
| 2 | Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose | ||||||
| 3 | Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513 ..... | ||||||
| 4 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf... | ||||||
| 5 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge | ||||||
| 6 | Total. Add lines 1 through 5 | ||||||
| 7a | Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons | ||||||
| b | Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 7a and 7b.. | ||||||
| 8 | Public support. (Subtract line 7c from line 6.) | ||||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
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(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Amounts from line 6... | ||||||
| 10a | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources.. | ||||||
| b | Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 10a and 10b. | ||||||
| 11 | Net income from unrelated business activities not included on line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on. | ||||||
| 12 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.) .. | ||||||
| 13 | Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.).. | ||||||
| Section A - Adjusted Net Income | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Net short-term capital gain | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Other gross income (see instructions) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Add lines 1 through 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Depreciation and depletion | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Other expenses (see instructions) | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4) | 8 | ||||
| Section B - Minimum Asset Amount | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year): | 1 | ||||
| a | Average monthly value of securities | 1a | ||||
| b | Average monthly cash balances | 1b | ||||
| c | Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets | 1c | ||||
| d | Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c) | 1d | ||||
| e |
Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI): |
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| 2 | Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Subtract line 2 from line 1d | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 0.015 of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions). | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3) | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Multiply line 5 by 0.035 | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6) | 8 | ||||
| Section C - Distributable Amount | Current Year | |||||
| 1 | Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A) | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Enter 85% of line 1 | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Enter greater of line 2 or line 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Income tax imposed in prior year | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| Section D - Distributions | Current Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes | 1 | |
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2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
2 | |
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | 3 | |
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | 4 | |
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required - provide details in Part VI) | 5 | |
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | 6 | |
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | 7 | |
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8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
8 | |
| 9 Distributable amount for 2023 from Section C, line 6 | 9 | |
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | 10 | |
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2023 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2023 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2023 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
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2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2023 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI).
See instructions. |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2023: | ||||
| a From 2018....... | ||||
| b From 2019....... | ||||
| c From 2020....... | ||||
| d From 2021....... | ||||
| e From 2022....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2023 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2018 not applied (see instructions) |
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| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2023 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2023 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4. | ||||
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5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2023, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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6
Remaining underdistributions for 2023. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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7 Excess distributions carryover to 2024. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2019..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2020..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2021..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2022..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2023..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
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| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| Member election for additional members Part VI line 7a | THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA APPOINTS THE FOUNDATIONS DIRECTORS, TWO OF WHICH ARE SELECTED FROM A LIST OF NOMINEES SUBMITTED BY THE CHIEF OF THE EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS. THE CHIEF AND CHAIRMAN OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL OF THE EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS ALSO SERVE AS DIRECTORS |
| Form 990 governing body review Part VI line 11 | THE AUDIT/INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REVIEW THE FORM 990 IN DETAIL WITH THE GUIDANCE OF ITS FINANCE OFFICER. THE FULL BOARD IS PROVIDED WITH A COPY OF THE 990 BEFORE IT IS FILED AND PERFORMS A MORE CURSORY REVIEW OF THE DOCUMENT. THE AUDIT/INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND FINANCE OFFICER ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS BOARD MEMBERS HAVE. |
| CEO executive director top management comp Part VI line 15a | COMPARABILITY OF SALARIES DATA FOR ALL STAFF MEMBERS IS GATHERED FROM THE FOLLOWING SOURCES; FORMS 990 OF SIMILIAR ORGANIZATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA, LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS; AND AN ANNUAL SALARY AND BENFITS SURVEY FROM THE COUNCIL ON FOUNDATIONS PHILANTHROPIC TRADE ORGANIZATION. SALARIES ARE PROPOSED BY THE BOARD CHAIRMAN AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EACH YEAR DURING THE BUDGETING AND ANNUAL STAFF EVALUATION PROCESSES. THEN, THE PROPOSED SALARIES ARE PRESENTED IN THE DRAFT BUDGET SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD. |
| Other officer or key employee compensation Part VI line 15b | AS WITH EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, CEO, THE SAME POLICY IS USED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES: COMPARABILITY OF SALARIES DATA FOR ALL STAFF MEMBERS IS GATHERED FROM THE FOLLOWING SOURCES; FORMS 990 OF SIMILIAR ORGANIZATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA, LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS; AND AN ANNUAL SALARY AND BENFITS SURVEY FROM THE COUNCIL ON FOUNDATIONS PHILANTHROPIC TRADE ORGANIZATION. SALARIES ARE PROPOSED BY THE BOARD CHAIRMAN AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EACH YEAR DURING THE BUDGETING AND ANNUAL STAFF EVALUATION PROCESSES. THEN, THE PROPOSED SALARIES ARE PRESENTED IN THE DRAFT BUDGET SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD. |
| Form 990 availability to public Part VI line 18 | PHOTO COPIES OF THE FORM 990 ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST AT THE ORGANIZATIONS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE. IN ADDITION, RECENT FILINGS OF THE FORM 990 ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.GUIDESTAR.ORG |
| Governing documents etc available to public Part VI line 19 | ALL GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, POLICIES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE MAKE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST TO ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANIZATION, THE FOUNDATION OFTEN SHARES ITS INTERNAL INFORMATION IN AN EFFORT TO ASSIST OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN ADOPTING BEST PRACTICES. |
| Audited by an independent accountant Part XII line 2b | THE PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE PRIOR YEAR. |
| General explanation attachment | PART V, LINE 4:THE ENDOWMENT FUND REPRESENTS AMOUNTS SET ASIDE IN A LONG-TERM INVESMENTS FUND. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE FUND IS TO EMPHASIZE LONG-TERM GROWTH OF CAPITAL AND TO BUILD A CORPUS THAT WILL HELP SUSTAIN THE FOUNDATIONS OPERATIONS IN THE FUTURE. THE FUND IS NOT REPORTED AS RESTRICTED SINCE THERE ARE NOT DONOR-IMPOSED STIPULATIONS. INCLUDED IN THE ENDOWMENT FUND INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO ARE MONIES DESIGNATED FOR TWO LEADERSHIP AWARD FUNDS. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE FUNDS IS TO EMPHASIZE SHORT-TERM GROWTH OF CAPITAL, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY PROTECTING THE CORPUS FROM THE EFFECTS OF INFLATION, TO ALLOW FOR THE AWARDING OF ANNUAL LEADERSHIP AWARDS. THE FUNDS ARE NOT REPORTED AS RESTRICTED SINCE THERE ARE NO DONOR-IMPOSED STIPULATIONS. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4ASTATEMENT OF PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:THE MISSION OF THE CHEROKEE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION (CPF) IS TO INCREASE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS (EBCI) AND STRENGTHEN THE WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGION. CPF ACCOMPLISH THIS MISSION AS A GRANT MAKER, CONVENER, PARTNERSHIP BROKER AND COMMUNITY BUILDER. IN THESE ROLES, WE AWARD GRANTS TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOLS AND HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTIONS ON OR NEAR TRIBAL LANDS IN THE SEVEN WESTERNMOST COUNTIES OF NORTH CAROLINA. IN ADDITIION, WE BRING TOGETHER GROUPS WITH COMMON INTERESTS AND GOALS TO SHARE IDEAS, COMBINE EFFORTS AND RESOURCES, AND LEVERAGE RESOURCES FROM VARIOUS FUNDING ORGANIZATIONS. WE THEN NETWORK WITH REGIONAL, STATE AND NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO SEEK AND CREATE PARTNERSHIPS ENABLING OTHER FUNDING ORGANIZATIONS TO INVEST IN PROJECTS AND GROUPS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF NONPROFITS ON THE QUALLA BOUNDARY (THE EBCIS HOMELAND) AND SURROUNDING REGION.THE FOUNDATIONS GRANT MAKING TO ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATION INCLUDE ONE-YEAR GRANTS, SOME OF WHICH ARE LESS THAN $5,000 AND USED FOR CAPACITY, PLANNING AND PROJECT SPECIFIC PURPOSES. LARGER GRANTS ARE FOR PROJECT SPECIFIC, AND PRESERVATION AND CIVIC ENHANCEMENT.DURING TWO GRANT FUNDING CYCLES IN FISCAL YEAR 2023, THE BOARD APPROVED 30 GRANTS AND AWARDS TOTALING $4.4 MILLION. THE FOUNDATION BEGAN OPERATION IN 2001 AND HAS AWARDED GRANTS AND LEADERSHIP AWARDS IN THREE FOCUS AREAS - CULTUAL PRESERVATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. CULTURAL PRESERVATION**CHEROKEE LANGUAGE INITIATIVE:ONE OF THE MOST RECOGNIZABLE CULTURAL PRESERVATION INITIATIVES IS THE CHEROKEE LANGUAGE REVITALIZATION INITATIVE, WHICH IS A MOVEMENT TO SAVE THE CHEROKEE LANGUAGE. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTED THIS IN 2023 BY GRANTING MORE THAN $40,000 TO WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY FOR ITS CHEROKEE LANGUAGE PROGRAM. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTED SNOWBIRD CHEROKEE TRADITIONS WITH MORE THAN $78,000 TO SUPPORT CHEROKEE SECOND-LANGUAGE LEARNERS. *LEADERSHIP AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION:*TIMES OF CHANGE ARE TIMES OF OPPORTUNITY, BUT ONLY IF WE ARE SECURE IN OUR IDENTITY AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS. THE EMERGENCE OF A SOLID LEADERSHIP BASE IS ESSENTIAL IN MAINTAINING A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY. TO HELP THE TRIBE DEVELOP NEW LEADERS, THE FOUNDATION HAS DEVELOPED A PROGESSION OF LEADERSHIP PROGRAMMING. THE GOAL OF THESE CULTURAL-BASED LEADERSHIP INITIATIVES IS TO PRODUCE A SELFLESS, GIVING GENERATION, GROUNDED IN TRADIIONAL CHEROKEE VALUES, WHO POSSESS CONTEMPORARY LEADERSHIP SHILLS. *CHEROKEE YOUTH LEADERSHIP:*THE CHEROKEE YOUTH COUNCILS (CYC) MISSION IS TO EMPOWER LOCAL YOUTH TO HAVE A VOICE ON ISSUES THAT MATTER TO THEM. CYC IS FOCUSED ON STRENGTHENING ITS PARTICIPATION AND CONTRIBUTION TO THE CHEROKEE COMMUNITY YOUTH WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO IDENTIFY, DEVELOP, AND ASSESS PROJECTS THAT DIRECTLY IMPACTED THE CHEROKEE COMMUNITY. APPROXIMATELY FORTY YOUTH PARTICIPATE IN BIWEEKLY MEETING TO PLAN AND IMPLEMENT PROJECTS. THESE PROJECTS HAVE FOCUSED ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, YOUTH EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AND CREATING PUBLIC AWARENESS ON TEEN PREGNANCY AND BULLYING ISSUES. *CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM:*THE FOUNDATION HAS TRADITIONALLY HELD A COSTA RICA ECO-STUDY TOUR THAT PROVIDES A UNIQUES EXPERIENCE FOR CHEROKEE AND WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA YOUTH. THE FOUNDATION COLLABORATES WITH THE CHEROKEE EXTENSION OFFICE TO OFFER THIS LIFE-ENHANCING PROGRAM. IN THE PAST PARTICIPANTS HAVE HELD A COMMUNITY PRESENTATION TO EXPLAIN THE TRIP. STUDENTS AND ALUMNI PRESENT INDEPENDENTLY ON THE IMPACT OF THE PROGRAM. EACH YEAR BEFORE THE TRIP STUDENTS AND CHAPERONES HOLD MULTIPLE FUNDRAISERS TO PROVIDE A GIFT TO THE INDIGENOUS TRIBE THEY VISIT. *CHEROKEE DAY OF CARING:**THE CHEROKEE DAY OF CARING, CDC, IS A ANNUAL EVENT ON THE QUALLA BOUNDARY AND TRIBAL LANDS IN CHEROKEE AND SNOWBIRD. ITS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE FOUNDATION, EBCI AND HARRAHS CHEROKEE CASINO RESORT. THE EVENT IS BASED ON THE CHEROKEE TRADITION OF GA-DU-GI, OR HELPING HANDS, AND IT CELEBRATES UNSELFISH GIVING BETWEEN NEIGHBORS. VOLUNTEERS TAKE ON TASKS LIKE TENDING YARDS, FIXING ROOFS OR EVEN WIDENING DOORWAYS TO MAKE THEM ACCESSIBLE. THE DAY OF CARING DINNER IS HOSTED BY HARRAHS CHEROKEE CASINO RESORT AND RECOGNIZES QUIET HEROES WHO GIVE UNSELFISHLY TO THE COMMUNITY. 2023 MARKED THE 19TH ANNUAL CHEROKEE DAY OF CARING. JONES-BOWMAN LEADERSHIP AWARD PROGRAM:**THIS PROGRAM HELPS RECIPIENTS DEVELOP LEADERSHIP COMPENTENCIES THROUGH FORMAL EDUCATION AND FIRSTHAND LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCES. FUNDING IS AWARDED BASED ON THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS (FELLOWS) APPROVED LEADERSHIP LEARNING PLAN THAT OUTLINES THREE AREAS OF FOCUS - LEADERSHIP, CULTURE AND EDUCATION. THE PROGRAM FELLOWS CHOSE TO GIVE BACK TO THE ELDERS IN THE COMMUNITY AS THEIR GROUP SERVICE PROJECT. THEY SPEND TIME DECORATING A CHRISTMAS TREE, GIVING HOMEMADE ORNAMENTS, PRESENTING A FRUIT BASKET AND SPREADING SOME HOLIDAY CHEER TO SENIORS WHO MIGHT NOT HAVE A TREE OR CHRISTMAS COMPANY. THIS TIME SPENT WITH ELDERS PROVIDED THE STUDENTS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO HONOR THE PAST AS THE ELDERS SHARED STORIES FROM THEIR CHILDHOOD HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS. **TWO FELLOWS AND ONE MENTOR ATTENDED THE AMERICAN INDIAN SCIENCE ENGINEERING SOCIETY, AISES, LEADERSHIP SUMMIT IN ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO. AT THE SUMMIT FELLOWS ATTENDED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS, LEARNED ABOUT DIFFERENT LEADERSHIP STYLES, WORKED TOGETHER WITH MENTORS AND GAINED MOTIVATION TO CONTINUE TO STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE AS ROLE MODELS FOR YOUNG NATIVES. FELLOW DEVYN SMITH WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE RE-CREATION OF THE NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION, NASA, ON THE UNC ASHEVILLE CAMPUS AND SERVED THE GROUP AS PRESIDENT. MENTORS OF THE PROGRAM PROVIDED THE FELLOWS WITH VALUABLE TRAINING DURING THE RETREAT TO ENHANCE THEIR COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS, PUBLIC SPEAKING AND CULTURAL AWARENESS BY PROVIDING THE STUDENTS WITH A BOOK ON THE CHEROKEE LANGUAGE. *RIGHT PATH CULTURAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM:**THIS 12-MONTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR ADULT MEMBERS OF THE EBCI BEGAN IN 2011 AND WORKS TO BRIDGE THE PAST AND PRESENT BY COVERING IN-DEPTH TRADITIONAL AND CULTURAL ELEMENTS, WHILE INTRODUCING CONTEMPORARY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COMPETENCIES. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT CHEROKEE CULTURAL VALUES, SOCIAL SYSTEMS, GENDER ROLES, LANGUAGE, GOVERNANCE, HEALTHLY LIVING AND ARTISTIC EXPRESSION. PARTICIPANTS ARE SELECTED THROUGH A NOMINATION PROCESS, FINAL SELECTION IS DETERMINED BY THE RIGHT PATH ADVISORY COUNCIL, WHICH IS COMPRISED OF COMMUNITY PROFESSIONALS AND RIGHT PATH ALUMNI. *MYRON COULTER REGIONAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM:*THE MYRON COULTER REGIONAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM SEEKS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPANTS TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY ON REGIONAL CHALLENGES. UTILIZING A HOLISTIC APPROACH, THE COULTER LEADERSHIP PROGRAM VIEWS THE CONNECTIVITY OF THE REGION AS A STENGTH INSTEAD OF THE COMMON MINDSET OF COMPETITION. PARTICIPANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO WORK FOR THE GREATER GOOD BY IMPLEMENTING REGIONAL PROJECTS, LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR AND CREATING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. **ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:**OVER THE YEARS THE FOUNDATION HAS PROVIDED SIGNIFICANT GRANT FUNDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A DIVERSE AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY ON THE QUALIA BOUNDARY AND OTHER TRIBAL LANDS. THE FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN THE EBCIS PRINCIPAL CULTURAL ATTACTIONS TROUGH MARKETING EFFORTS DISTINGUISHING THE QUALLA BOUNDARY AS A HERITAGE DESTINATION AND ATTRACTING VISITORS INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT THE EBCIS HISTORY AND AUTHENTIC CHEROKEE CULTURE. **ENTREPRENEURIAL AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT:**EBCI ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT WORKS TOGETHER WITH THE SEQUOYAH FUND TO TRAIN AND DEVELOP ENTREPRENEURS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF LOW-INTEREST LOANS TO BEGIN OR IMPROVE A BUSINESS. IN 2023 THE FOUNDATION GRANTED $682,832 TOWARD TRAINING AND LOANS TO THE SEQUOYAH FUNDS. THE GRANT MONEY WILL BE USED TO HELP CREATE A MORE VIBRANT BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN NORTH CAROLINAS WESTERNMOST COUNTIES. **TOURISM:**TOURISM CONTINUES TO BE AN ESSENTIAL LEADER OF THE ECONOMIC ENGINE ON THE QUALLA BOUNDARY AND ACROSS WESTERN NORTH |
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