2022-07-27T13:03:38-04:00 2021-09-30 205977918 Hometown Tax & Accounting Service PO Box 1845 62 Tapoco Rd Robbinsville NC 28771 990 2020-10-01 562272253 CHEROKEE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION INC CHER PO BOX 504 CHEROKEE NC 28719 BOBBY RAINES EXECUTIVE DIREC 8284975550 2022-07-27 true BOBBY RAINES Teresa L Phillips EA P00669426 8284799411 2022-07-27 0 00 AAL1 IAL1 2020 2022-09-23 18:48:47Z BOBBIE RAINES 8542068 false X WWW.CHEROKEEPRESERVATIONGDN.ORG X 2001 NC TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE OUR NATIVE CULTURE. ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND THE OVERALL WELL-BEING OF THE LIVES OF THE EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS (EBCI) AND OUR NEIGHBORS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. 12 11 7 0 0 7511772 7500631 0 610696 1041437 0 8122468 8542068 3891860 2194995 0 807169 852750 0 0 316193 349130 5015222 3396875 3107246 5145193 45131799 54218085 1973703 463116 43158096 53754969 TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE OUR NATIVE CULTURE. ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND THE OVERALL WELL-BEING OF THE LIVES OF THE EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS (EBCI) AND OUR NEIGHBORS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. false false 2885236 2213257 7500631 THE CHEROKEE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION IS A 501(C)(3) PUBLICLY SUPPORTED ORGANIZATION THAT ACCOMPLISHES ITS EXEMPT PURPOSE AND MISSION AS A GRANTMAKER, CONVENER, PARTNERSHIP BROKER AND COMMUNITY BUILDER. PLEASE SEE OUR EXTENDED STATEMENT OF PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN SCHEDULE O.THE ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS AND PRESERVES A COLLECTION OF CULTURAL ARTWORK FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO ENJOY. 2885236 true true false false false false false true false true true false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 7 0 true 7 true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false X 12 11 true false false false false true false true true false false true true true false true true true true false NC X X BOBBIE RAINES 8284975500 PO BOX 504 CHEROKEE NC 28719 BOBBIE RAINES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 50.00 0.00 X X 146806 0 0 DANNY BURNS BOARD MEMBER-CHAIRMAN 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 APRIL ROSE BOARD MEMBER-RNSCHOOL NURSE 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MELISSA SMITH BOARD MEMBER-CHIEF APOINTED 1.00 0.00 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DEVELOPMENT HAYWOOD WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION INC PO BOX 389 WAYNESVILLE NC 28786 562108874 501 C 3 ENVIROMENTAL DEVELOPMENT AMERICAN LEGION POST 143 PO BOX 1181 CHEROKEE NC 28719 350144250 501 C 3 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHATTOOGA CONSERVANCY 8 SEQUOIA HILLS LANE CLAYTON GA 30525 582121969 501 C 3 ENVIRONMENTALPRESERVATION CONSERVING CAROLINA 847 CASE STREET HENDERSONVILLE NC 28792 566449365 501 C 3 ENVIROMENTAL DEVELOPMENT WCU CHEROKEE STUDIES 1 UNIVERSTIY WAY MCKEE 101 CULLOWHEE NC 28723 566001440 501 C 3 CULTURAL PRESERVATION NIKWASI INITIATIVE PO BOX 2197 FRANKLIN NC 28744 815300644 501 C 3 CULTURAL PRESERVATION CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB PO BOX 507 CHEROKEE NC 28719 560819154 501 C 3 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB PO BOX 507 CHEROKEE NC 28719 560819154 501 C 3 CULTURAL PRESRVATION SNOWBIRD CHEROKEE TRADITIONS CORP 331 JACKSON BRANCH ROAD ROBBINSVILLE NC 28771 320452110 501 C 3 CULTURAL PRESERVATION THE SEQUOYAH FUND INC PO BOX 1200 CHEROKEE NC 28719 311619784 501 C 3 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHEROKEE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION PO BOX 398 CHEROKEE NC 28719 560623957 501 C 3 CULTURAL PRESERVATION SWAIN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS PO BOX 2480 BRYSON CITY NC 28713 566001118 501 C 3 CULTURAL PRESERVATION BLUE RIDGE NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA 195 HEMPHILL KNOB ROAD ASHEVILLE NC 28803 561871844 501 C 3 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANNA FOODBANK 627 SWANNANOA RIVER ROAD ASHEVILLE NC 28805 551514800 501 C 3 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MUSEUM OF THE CHEROKEE INDIAN PO BOX 1599 CHEROKEE NC 28719 560944327 501 C 3 CULTURAL PRESERVATION APPALACHIAN WOMENS MUSEUM INC PO BOX 245 DILLSBORO NC 28725 270760638 501 C 3 CULTURAL PRESERVATION COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WESTERN NC 4 VANDERBILT PARK DR SUITE 300 ASHEVILLE NC 28803 561223384 501 C 3 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THE NC INTERNATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL PO BOX 658 WAYNESVILLE NC 28786 561369199 501 C 3 CULTURAL PRESERVATION MAINSTRING CONSERVATION TRUST PO BOX 1148 FRANKLIN NC 28744 562142199 501 C 3 ENVIROMENTAL PRESERVATION MAINSTRING CONSERVATION TRUST PO BOX 1148 FRANKLIN NC 28744 562142199 501 C 3 ENVIROMENTALPRESERVATION NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY 2701 SULLIVAN DR STE 240 RALEIGH NC 27695 566000756 501 C 3 CULTURAL PRESERVATION Officer directors etc family relationship Part VI line 2 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BOBBY RAINES, AND EMPLOYEE, DANIEL MARTIN, HAVE A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP THAT BEGAN IN 2015 BEFORE BOBBY RAINES BECAME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. NO CPF MONIES HAVE BEEN GRANTED TO THIS BUSINESS AND NO ISSUES OR CHALLENGES HAVE BEEN FOUND WITH THIS BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP. 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 BEFORE THE 990 DOCUMENT IS FILED. 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 2021, THE BOARD APPROVED 29 GRANTS AND AWARDS TOTALING $3.5 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 2021 BY GRANTING MORE THAN $50,000 TO WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY FOR ITS CHEROKEE LANGUAGE PROGRAM. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTED SNOWBIRD CHEROKEE TRADITIONS WITH MORE THAN $37,000 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. IN 2021 THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTED CYC WITH A GRANT OF MORE THAN $309,000. 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. 2019 MARKED THE 15TH 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. ALONG WITH THE COULTER PROGRAM, RIGHT PATH IS LOCATED AT WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY AND IS UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF AN EXPERIENCED PROGRAM DIRECTOR. 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 2021 THE FOUNDATION GRANTED $525,000 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 WESTE