Hinton Rural Life Center Awarded $40,000 Mission Development Grant from SECU Foundation

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — Hinton Rural Life Center has received a $40,000 Mission Development Grant from the SECU Foundation, providing a significant boost to its ongoing efforts to serve rural communities across Western North Carolina and North Georgia.

The grant will strengthen the organization’s missions department, enabling it to enhance organizational support and build long-term sustainability. This funding comes as Hinton continues to welcome churches, mission teams, volunteers, and community partners from across the country.

Hinton Rural Life Center, located on a scenic mountain overlooking Lake Chatuge at 2330 Hinton Center Road in Hayesville, operates as a United Methodist retreat, conference, and mission outreach center. Its programs focus on practical help for those in need, including:

• Volunteer outreach initiatives

• Safe and healthy home repair projects

• Accessibility improvements

• Firewood ministry efforts

• Broader community assistance programs

These services directly support individuals, families, and rural communities in the Southern Appalachian region.

In a statement, representatives from Hinton expressed deep gratitude for the support:

“We are incredibly honored and grateful to share that Hinton Rural Life Center has been awarded a $40,000 Mission Development Grant from the SECU Foundation! This investment will help strengthen and support our missions department as we continue serving rural communities... As Hinton continues welcoming churches, mission teams, volunteers, and community partners from across the country, this grant will help us build the organizational support and sustainability needed to continue growing our outreach and impact for years to come.”

The organization highlighted the SECU Foundation’s “People Helping People” philosophy, noting that the grant represents an investment not only in Hinton but in the broader communities it serves.

This award is part of the SECU Foundation’s broader commitment to capacity-building for North Carolina nonprofits, with Hinton among recipients in early 2026 grant cycles aimed at helping organizations expand their impact through better infrastructure, planning, and leadership development.

Hinton Rural Life Center invites the public to learn more about its ministries, retreats, and volunteer opportunities by visiting www.HintonCenter.org or contacting them at (828) 389-8336.

This grant underscores the power of partnerships in addressing rural needs and fostering hope through service in the mountains of Western North Carolina.