Catawba Nation Foundation outlines grant program, announces March 1 application opening

Christina Rudia, identifying herself as executive director of the Catawba Nation Foundation, briefed the Cleveland County commissioners on the foundation’s grant work and plans for the coming cycle.

Rudia said the foundation was created under the Catawba Nations compact with North Carolina in 2021 and that its grantmaking is funded from proceeds generated by the 2 Kings Casino. She said the foundation is a separate 501(c)(3) that serves the Catawba Nation and communities across Cleveland County and adjacent counties.

Rudia recapped the foundation’s first public grant cycle in 2025: 81 applications were received, 53 total grantees were recommended and about $800,000 was awarded overall; roughly $240,000 went to Cleveland County organizations (21 local awards). She said an application portal for the 2026 cycle will open March 1 and close March 31, with award notices expected in August. Rudia also said the foundation will provide technical assistance events in February and March to help small nonprofits prepare budgets and applications and announced hiring of a finance director to support those efforts.

Commissioners and board members in the audience praised the foundation’s outreach and singled out its work making grant application support more accessible to smaller nonprofits. Commissioner Hardin was identified as serving on the foundation’s board.

What happens next: The foundation will hold informational sessions in February and March; county nonprofit partners were urged to prepare applications for the March 1–31 window.