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RHI Legacy Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.2M
Grant Range
$4K - $1.0M
Decision Time
2mo
Success Rate
65%

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,173,858 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $38 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: 65% (2024)
  • Decision Time: 6-8 weeks (applications close late July, decisions mid-September)
  • Grant Range: $3,500 - $1,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Rutherford County, North Carolina only

Contact Details

Website: https://rhilegacyfoundation.com

Phone: 828-202-4630

Email: jill.miracle@rhilegacy.com (Jill Miracle, Community Impact Director)

Mailing Address: PO Box 352, Rutherfordton, NC 28139

Pre-Application Support: Encouraged to call before applying, especially if questions about TAX ID requirements or project fit

Overview

Founded in 2014 from the transformation of Rutherford Hospital Foundation following a joint venture between Rutherford Hospital, Inc. and Duke LifePoint Healthcare, RHI Legacy Foundation has become Rutherford County's primary health and wellness grant maker. With $38 million in total assets, the foundation has awarded over $16.7 million since inception to address the reality that Rutherford County ranks 75th of 100 North Carolina counties for length and quality of life. In August 2020, the foundation sold its ownership interest in Rutherford Regional Health System to Duke LifePoint Healthcare, strengthening its position as an independent 501(c)(3) focused exclusively on grant making. The foundation runs one annual grant cycle and approved 65% of more than fifty applications in 2024, its eleventh year of operation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single annual grant cycle with applications opening in June and closing July 31. Grants are awarded across three focus areas:

  • Active Living Grants: $5,000 - $125,000 (supporting programs that encourage or facilitate active lifestyles)
  • Chronic Disease Grants: $7,305 - $250,000 (focusing specifically on cancer, asthma, and diabetes prevention, early diagnosis, and management)
  • Healthy Eating Grants: $3,500 - $175,000 (increasing access to sufficient, healthy foods)

Recent major grants include $1 million toward the Dr. Bobby F. England Health and Sciences Center at Isothermal Community College (2025) and $250,000 to KidSenses for construction (2021).

Application Method: Online portal through Wells Fargo platform, rolling review within fixed annual deadline

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on three specific areas:

  1. Chronic Disease - Programs addressing prevention, early screenings, or health improvement for residents with cancer, asthma, or diabetes. Cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and support for cancer patients are particular priorities.

  2. Healthy Eating - Programs that increase access to healthy foods, including food banks, backpack programs for school children, community gardens, and nutrition education.

  3. Active Living - Programs encouraging active lifestyles, including trails, parks, recreational facilities, safety equipment, camp scholarships, and fitness programs. The foundation has shown strong support for outdoor recreation infrastructure.

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects outside Rutherford County, North Carolina
  • Organizations without a TAX ID number (though they encourage these organizations to call and discuss options)
  • General operating support for programs not directly aligned with the three focus areas
  • Projects without a sustainability plan beyond grant funding

Governance and Leadership

Staff

Terry W. Hines, Executive Director - Graduate of Chase High School with BS in Business Administration from Lander College. After a 30-year career with Cone Mills (most recently as VP of Operations), Hines leads the foundation's strategic direction. He has stated the foundation "remains committed to supporting local nonprofits and municipalities in their work that aligns with our focus areas."

Jill W. Miracle, Community Impact Director - Holds BBA from North Georgia College. Facilitates the grants process and serves as Executive Director of Community Health Council of Rutherford County. Primary contact for grant applicants.

Board of Directors

Cindy Buck - Healthcare executive and former CEO of Rutherford Regional Health System. Named QHR's "CFO of the Year" and included in "Becker Healthcare's Top 130 Women to Know." Holds BBA in Accounting and Master of Health Administration.

David Eaker - Real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Matheny Real Estate. Serves on Rutherford County Economic Development Association. BS in Business from UNC Chapel Hill.

Jacqueline S. Hampton - Retired educator with extensive experience as teacher, assistant principal, principal, and director of pre-K and elementary curriculum for Rutherford County Schools. BA in English, Master's in education and administration, MA in Divinity.

Jimmy Dancy - Mayor of Rutherfordton. Retired from CitiFinancial after 37 years. Active in Kiwanis Club and Habitat for Humanity.

John W. Condrey - Retired city manager of Forest City with 30 years of municipal management experience. 30-year cancer survivor and Chairman of Isothermal Community College Board of Trustees.

Judy Bond - Pediatric Cardiology Registered Nurse with Teaching Director role at Community Bible Study. BS in Nursing from Ohio State University.

Kerry Giles - Transportation Services Director with Rutherford County EMS. Double major in Business Administration and Communications.

Matt Bright - Financial Advisor with Raymond James. BA from UNC Chapel Hill.

Paul Deck - General Manager of McCurry Deck Chevrolet Buick GMC. BS in Economics from Clemson University.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through an online portal hosted on the Wells Fargo platform. Key features:

  • Applications can be saved and completed over multiple sessions using "save and finish later" function
  • TAX ID number required (organizations without one should call to discuss options)
  • Must include most recent 990 tax form
  • Recent financial statements required
  • Requires governing body approval documentation
  • Must include sustainability plan demonstrating how project will continue beyond grant funding
  • Must show measurable community benefits

Decision Timeline

  • Applications Open: June 11
  • Application Deadline: July 31
  • Grant Decisions Announced: Mid-September
  • Funding Distribution: Early October

Total timeline from submission deadline to decision: approximately 6-8 weeks

Notification Method: Direct contact to applicants

Success Rates

In 2024, the foundation received more than fifty applications and approved 65% of requests, awarding grants to multiple organizations across the three focus areas. This represents a strong success rate compared to many foundations.

Recent award numbers:

  • 2024: 42 organizations funded, $1,712,562 distributed
  • 2023: 53 awards, $1,173,858 distributed
  • 2021: 32 awards, $1,064,831 distributed

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. The foundation encourages organizations to call Jill Miracle at 828-202-4630 to discuss eligibility and project fit before reapplying. Previous grantees must have completed prior grant reports before applying for new funding.

Application Success Factors

Measurable Impact is Critical: Applications are evaluated based on four criteria: measurable impact of the project, consistency with the foundation's mission, the organization's ability to sustain the project beyond grant funding, and adherence to the three focus areas. Measurable impact ranks first.

Sustainability Plans are Required: The foundation explicitly requires "a plan to sustain the program beyond RHI Legacy Foundation grant funding." Applications should demonstrate how the project will continue after the grant period ends.

Education and Prevention Are Valued: The foundation has stated they are "receptive to programs that focus on educating residents about how an active lifestyle can prevent" cancer, asthma, and diabetes. Educational programs receive favorable consideration.

County-Wide Impact Matters: Executive Director Terry Hines has emphasized projects serving diverse populations. Regarding the Thermal Belt Rail Trail, he noted: "At any time, you will see a mix of everyone that makes up Rutherford County from young to old using the trail."

Complete All Fields: Application guidance emphasizes completing all fields in the online application, using "N/A" or "$0" if a field doesn't apply rather than leaving it blank.

Cut and Paste Existing Documents: The foundation recommends having your 990 and other documents ready to cut and paste into the application to streamline the process.

Align with Mission/Vision: Before applying, applicants should "check the foundation's mission/vision and be sure that your project aligns with this." Misalignment is a primary reason for rejection.

Recent Major Investment Note: The foundation has noted their "major investment in the Legacy Soccer Park in 2024 and 2025 will likely affect their ability to fund large projects" in the near term. Consider this when determining request amounts.

Recent Funded Projects Examples:

  • Town of Rutherfordton: $125,000 for 2nd Street Park renovation (Active Living)
  • KidSenses: $250,000 for construction project (Chronic Disease)
  • Conserving Carolina: $46,400 for trail and parking expansion (Active Living)
  • Rutherford County Transit: $25,000 for healthcare transportation (Chronic Disease)
  • Multiple food banks and meal programs: $3,500 - $175,000 (Healthy Eating)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic specificity is absolute: Only organizations serving Rutherford County, NC residents are eligible. Do not apply if your project serves broader populations.

  • The 65% success rate is excellent: With more than half of applicants funded, this is a relatively accessible funder for organizations with aligned missions. Don't self-select out if your project genuinely fits.

  • Call before applying: The foundation actively encourages pre-application calls (828-202-4630). Use this resource to test project fit and get guidance on strengthening your application.

  • Sustainability is non-negotiable: Clearly articulate how your project will continue after grant funds are depleted. This is one of four primary evaluation criteria.

  • Think beyond healthcare organizations: While health-focused, funded projects include schools, municipalities, outdoor recreation groups, food banks, and transportation services. If your work impacts health and wellness, you may qualify.

  • Focus on the three diseases for Chronic Disease applications: Cancer, asthma, and diabetes are specifically named priorities. Frame chronic disease applications around these conditions.

  • Consider multi-year relationships: Many organizations receive funding in multiple cycles, suggesting the foundation values ongoing partnerships with effective grantees.

References

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