Boys & Girls Clubs of Johnston County Secures $5,000 Grant to Strengthen Youth Programming in Selma

Selma / Smithfield, N.C. — Boys & Girls Clubs of Johnston County is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the 2025 Johnston County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation (NCCF). This support is made possible through the Johnston County Unrestricted Endowment Fund and the Cara Lee Powell Priest Endowment for Johnston County.

These two endowment funds play pivotal roles in strengthening Johnston County’s nonprofit ecosystem:

• The Johnston County Unrestricted Endowment Fund helps the community foundation respond dynamically to evolving local needs by providing annual grants to nonprofits.
• The Cara Lee Powell Priest Endowment for Johnston County is specifically designed to support charitable organizations that deliver services to Johnston County residents.

Funds from this grant will bolster the Clubs’ “Empowering Johnston County Youth Through Expanded Year-Round Programs” effort, allowing expanded programming across Club sites in Selma and Smithfield. The additional resources will be used to enhance academic support, leadership development, and enrichment activities during non-school months, providing safe, structured, high-quality opportunities for area youth.

Kelly Blanchard, Director of Resource Development & Community Engagement, remarked, “These funds  will power meaningful growth in our offerings across both Selma and Smithfield. We’re deeply grateful to the Johnston County Community Foundation and NCCF for their commitment to youth development in our communities.”

The Johnston County Community Foundation is one of over 50 local affiliates of the North Carolina Community Foundation, working to build permanent charitable resources and distribute grants that address community priorities. North Carolina Community Foundation
 
About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Johnston County
The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Johnston County is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need it most, to reach their full potential as responsible, caring, and productive citizens.

If you would like to join us in supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Johnston County, please visit www.johnstonbgc.org. For media coverage or photos, please contact Kelly Blanchard at kblanchard@johnstonbgc.org.
 
Photo Caption: Members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Johnston County  South Smithfield Elementary School Club,  engage in after-school activities focused on learning, creativity, and teamwork under the guidance of Club Director Kourtney Bowden. The program provides a safe, supportive environment where students can build academic and social skills that prepare them for great futures.