The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Local giving, regional impact fueling long-term growth.
Celebrating the Workforce Behind the Workforce Event at in August, 2025.
The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation is the giving arm of the Chamber, created to support projects and initiatives that help Boone and surrounding areas thrive. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, the Foundation helps gather and distribute funding and resources that fuel long-term growth in our region.
Donate to the Foundation
Local gifting, regional impact. Every gift helps power programs that build a stronger, more vibrant High Country — thank you for investing in our community’s future. Here is how your gift makes an impact.
High Country Business Resiliency Disaster Grant
In October, 2024, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation established the High Country Business Resiliency Disaster Grant to help small businesses in Watauga, Ashe, and Avery County recover from the crippling impacts of Hurricane Helene. The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation awarded $520,000 to 61 High Country businesses in its third round of funding. Through three funding rounds, 209 businesses have received disaster grant funding totaling $978,500.
Since last September, the Chamber Foundation has distributed $1,184,500 in donated funds to local businesses.
Watauga County Childcare Tuition Assistance, October 2024
The BACC Foundation made the first impact with these funds on October 3, 2024, by giving $206,000 to the Children's Council of Watauga County. This tuition assistance allocation will keep licensed childcare centers open while relieving the financial burdens on families who can use their usual tuition dollars in other recovery ways.
The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Commission, Inc. (BACC EDC, Inc), also known as the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is a 501(c)3 organization created to solicit, manage, and distribute funds and resources to further the development and welfare of the Boone, NC and Watauga County, NC, area through activities which are exclusively charitable, educational, or scientific.
Such purposes may include the aims of advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding of economics, matters of public concern, finance, education and training, housing, human relations, science and technology, economic planning and development, and acceleration of both the quality and quantity of economic growth and employment opportunities.
STABLE – STABLE workplaces was launched in January 2024 in Watauga County with a vision of thriving workplaces sustained by a stable workforce. STABLE stands for Staff Training and Business Leadership for Evolving workplaces. Our foundation serves as the financial partner of this effort, and seeks support and grants to help subsidize the STABLE curriculum. More details can be found at stableworkplaces.org.
Housing Support – The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce has been involved in the formation of the Watauga County Housing Council and the WEDC remains active in the Watauga County Housing Trust since it’s re-launch in 2023. In addition to these focused projects, the foundation seeks funds in this bucket to apply toward projects and studies that aid in the creation of affordable and attainable housing solutions for Watauga County residents and employers.
Chamber Capital Needs – The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce moved into a new facility in Greenway Commons in January 2023. As the organization continues to provide spaces for staff and convening opportunities for members, we know upkeep of this facility will be an ongoing operations expense. Funds directed to this area will allow for facility needs to be met, thus allowing dollars generated from Chamber membership to stay working toward the needs of the business community.
Early Childhood Development & Education Fund – The Foundation became the administrator of this fund in December 2023, continuing a multi-year effort toward the goals established in the Elevate Watauga initiative. This fund will support workforce development and educational attainment needs for Watauga County’s early childhood workforce, while also providing funding support for initiatives outlined in the Watauga County Childcare Study
General Operating & Community Support – Unrestricted funds donated to the foundation will be used toward general operating and community support, allowing the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce to provide dollars to local efforts that are not directly generated from membership dues or events. This could include business grants, scholarships, area event support, and other projects.
