2026-08-15T10:59:47-04:00 2025-09-30 205977918 Hometown Tax & Accounting Service PO Box 1845 / 62 Tapoco Rd Robbinsville NC 28771 990 2024-10-01 562272253 CHEROKEE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION INC % BOBBY RAINES CHER 8284975500 PO BOX 504 CHEROKEE NC 28719 BOBBY RAINES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 8284975550 2026-08-15 true true TERESA L PHILLIPS EA P00669426 8284799411 2026-08-15 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z BOBBIE RAINES PO BOX 504 CHEROKEE NC 28719 9791468 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. 11 10 7 0 0 7584429 7500000 0 1188658 2291468 0 8773087 9791468 5523636 5611882 0 948634 1120904 0 0 316125 331524 6788395 7064310 1984692 2727158 64642542 70707943 68151 77166 64574391 70630777 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 6723618 5611882 7500000 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. 6723618 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 true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 6 0 true 7 true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false X 11 10 false 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 295537 0 29554 TY BOYD BOARD MEMBER 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 DEBORA FOREST BOARD MEMBER 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JANELL RATTLER BOARD MEMBER 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 RICHIE SNEED EBCI PRINCIPAL CHIEF 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 CATCUCE TIGER BOARD MEMBER-CHIEF APOINTED 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MELISSA SMITH BOARD MEMBER-CHIEF APPOINTED 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 APRIL ROSS BOARD MEMBER-RNSCHOOL NURSE 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 DAVID ANDERSON BOARD MEMBER-CHAIRMAN 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 LOUISE GOINGS BOARD MEMBER 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 RICHARD FRENCH BOARD MEMBER 0.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 295537 0 29554 1 false true false 7500000 7500000 2291468 2291468 0 9791468 2291468 0 0 5611882 5611882 827642 662114 165528 78601 62881 15720 214661 171729 42932 51000 51000 79596 62774 16822 18330 14664 3666 16018 12814 3204 96250 77001 19249 39463 31571 7892 14137 1428 12709 8915 7132 1783 MISCELLANEOUS 187 187 REGISTRATION DUES & SUBSCR 7628 7628 7064310 6723618 340692 0 11071238 11514676 139228 116858 535089 171101 357076 363988 53075000 58712421 64642542 70707943 48834 42590 19317 34576 68151 77166 X 64574391 70630777 64574391 70630777 64642542 70707943 X 2727158 3358933 -29705 X X false true X true false X 7500631 7500000 7500000 7500000 7500000 37500631 7500631 7500000 7500000 7500000 7500000 37500631 29249436 8251195 4018 1241 8012 1320 12980 27571 37528202 0.21990 0.21980 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X 53075000 5650401 58725401 41816848 1500000 9758152 53075000 36620536 750000 4446312 41816848 40794512 3500000 -7673976 36620536 34791261 750000 5253251 40794512 false false 22161 12778 9383 163295 158323 4972 349633 349633 363988 13150401 3358933 3358933 9791468 9791468 7064310 7064310 7064310 true EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS QUALLA PUBLIC LIBRARY CHEROKEE NC 28719 560572090 GOVERNMENT 15000 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WATERSHED ASSOC TUCKASEGEE RIVER PO BOX 2593 Bryson City NC 28713 562254501 501 C 3 14000 ENVIROMENTALPRESERVATION CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB PO BOX 507 Cherokee NC 28719 560819154 501 C 3 975000 ENVIROMENTAL PRESERVATION QUALLA ARTS & CRAFTS PO BOX 310 Cherokee NC 28719 260758806 501 C 3 58086 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHEROKEE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION PO BOX 398 CHEROKEE NC 28719 560623957 501 C 3 698000 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UWENA INC PO BOX 1054 Cherokee NC 28719 924013871 501 C 3 30000 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB PO BOX 507 CHEROKEE NC 28719 560819154 501 C 3 336872 CULTURAL PRESERVATION CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB PO BOX 507 Cherokee NC 28719 560819154 501 C 3 19965 CULTURAL PRESERVATION MUSEUM OF THE CHEROKEE PEOPLE PO BOX 1599 CHEROKEE NC 28719 560944327 501 C3 40000 CULTURAL PRESERVATION RIVERLINK INC 170 LYMAN ST ASHEVILLE NC 288028719 581867958 501 C 3 20000 ENVIROMENTAL PRESERVATION SNOWBIRD CHEROKEE TRADITIONS CORP 852 CORNSILK BRANCH RD ROBBINSVILLE NC 28771 320452110 501 C 3 115250 CULTURAL PRESRVATION THE SEQUOYAH FUND INC PO BOX 1200 CHEROKEE NC 28719 311619784 501 C 3 533181 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MUSEUM OF THE CHEROKEE PO BOX 1599 Cherokee NC 28719 560944327 501 C 3 500000 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MOUNTAIN DISCOVERY CHARTER SCHOOL 890 JENKINS BRANCH RD NORTH Bryson City NC 28713 562257244 501 C 3 7860 CULTURAL PRESERVATION EBCI DIVISION OF COMMERCE PO BOX 460 Cherokee NC 28719 560572090 GOVERNMENT 1075000 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WESTERN REGION EDU SRV ALLIANCE 206 RIDGEFIELD COURT Asheville NC 28806 560896753 501 C 3 206855 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WNC 4 VANDERBILT PARK DR Asheville NC 28803 561223384 501 C 3 88200 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THE CENTER OF NATIVE HEALTH 25 WATER TOWER LANE Whittier NC 28789 264183908 501 C 3 114300 ENVIROMENTAL PRESERVATION CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB PO BOX 507 Cherokee NC 28719 560819154 501 C 3 133329 CULTRUAL PRESERVATION CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB PO BOX 507 Cherokee NC 28719 560819154 501 C 3 198924 CULTURAL PRESERVATION WCU CHEROKEE STUDIES MCKEE 105 Cullowhee NC 28723 566001440 501 C 3 223014 CULTURAL PRESERVATION CONSERVING CAROLINA 847 CASE ST Hendersonville NC 28792 501 C 3 49500 ENVIROMENTAL PRESERVATION X true true X X X X false false false false false false false false false BOBBIE RAINES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 180000 56558 58979 29554 325091 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. 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. Explanation of other changes in net assets or fund balances Part XI line 9 ADJUSTMENT DUE TO DEPRECIATION METHODS AND LIFE OF ASSET. -$295 ERROR IN ALLOCATION OF GRANT -$30000 THAT WAS APPLIED TO ASSETS $30000 REMOVED FROM DEPR ON AUDIT, ADDED TO GRANTS. 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 4A STATEMENT OF PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: THE MISSION OF THE CHEROKEE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION (CPF) IS TO PROTECT,PRESERVE,AND ENHANCE THE OVERALL WELL-BEING OF THE CHEROKEE PEOPLE, 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 ADDITION, WE BRING TOGETHER GROUPS WITH COMMON INTERESTS AND GOALS WE THEN SEEK & 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 2025, THE BOARD APPROVED 24 GRANTS AND AWARDS TOTALING $5.7 MILLION. THE FOUNDATION BEGAN OPERATION IN 2001 AND HAS AWARDED GRANTS AND LEADERSHIP AWARDS IN THREE FOCUS AREAS - CULTUAL PRESERVATION, ECONOMIC 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 2025 BY GRANTING MORE THAN $205,000 TO WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY FOR ITS CHEROKEE LANGUAGE PROGRAM. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTED SNOWBIRD CHEROKEE TRADITIONS WITH MORE THAN $115,000 TO SUPPORT CHEROKEE SECOND-LANGUAGE LEARNERS AND OVER $257,000 TO THE CHEROKEE BOYS CLUV FOR THEIR CULTURAL PRESERVATION PROGRAMS.** *LEADERSHIP AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION:* THE CPF WILL BE PARTNERING WITH THE EBCI, CHEROKEE BOYS CLUB AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY TO PRODUCE GENERATIONS OF STRONG CHEROKEE LEADERS THROUGH LIFE-LONG LEARNING LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS THAT ARE GROUNDED IN TRIBAL CULTURE AND THE SEVEN CORE VALUES. MANY CULTURAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT ELEMENTS ARE EVIDENT IN CPF PROJECTS SUCH AS THE CHEROKEE YOUTH COUNCIL, THE CULTURE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS, THE JONES-BOWMAN AWARD PROGRAM, THE DUYUGODVI RIGHT PATH ADULT LEADERSHIP PROGRAM, AND THE CHEROKEE DAY OF CARING EVENT. THE FOCUS IN WAS ON THE INTERNAL PROGRAMS WITHIN THE RAY KINSLAND LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE AND IN THE CHEROKEE DAY OF CARING EVENT.*** *CHEROKEE YOUTH LEADERSHIP:* THE CHEROKEE YOUTH COUNCILS (CYC) MISSION IS TO EMPOWER LOCAL YOUTH TO HAVE A VOICE ON ISSUES THAT MATTER TO THEM. IN 2025, CYC FOCUS IS ON CHEROKEE HISTORY AND CULTURE AND COMPLETING VARIOUS PROJECTS TO HELP IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THE YOUTH MEMBERS HOSTED THEIR ELOHI EARTH DAY EVENT DURING THE SPRING GARDEN FAIR, ENGAGING OVER 250 COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES FOCUSED ON ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND SUSTAINABLIITY. MEMBERS MADE CLAY POTS FOR A NATIVES PLANT GIVEAWAY, LEARNED SOAP CARVING, GAINED SKILLS IN TRADITIONAL CHEROKEE ARTISTRY, LEARNED ABOUT CHEROKEE FISHING PRACTICES. THEY ATTENDED YOUTH CONFERENCE IN MISSISSIPI HOSTED BY THE MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOTAW INDIANS & SAN DIEGO, CA FOR THE NATIONAL UNITY CONFERENCE.** *CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM:* CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO ALLOW OUR YOUTH TO PARTICPATE IN A CULTURAL EXCHANGE WITH ANOTHER DOMESIC NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBE OR INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS CULTURE. THE GOALS OF THE CULTURAL EXCHANGES ARE TO BROADEN OUR YOUTHS EXPERIENCES, INCREASE THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND ALLOW THEM OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP A GREATER APPRECIATION FOR THEIR CULTURE. 2025 JOURNEY WAS TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. NINE YOUTH TRAVELED TO VANCOVER, CANADA AND WASHINGTON STATE, PARTICIPATING IN CULTURAL SHARING, WHILE VISITING INDIGENIOUS COMMUNITIES AND LEARNING ABOUT LOCAL TRADITIONS. UPON RETURNING, PARTICIPANTS COMPLETED THEIR REQUIRED COMMUNITY PRESENTATION, SHARING HIGHLIGHTS AND PERSONAL REFLECTIONS FROM THEIR JOURNEY.*** *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, EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS (EBCI) THE EVENT IS BASED ON THE CHEROKEE TRADITION OF GA-DU-GI, OR HELPING HANDS, AND IT CELEBRATES UNSELFISH GIVING BETWEEN NEIGHBORS. THE 17TH ANNUAL CHEROKEE DAY OF CARING. SOME 200 VOLUNTEERS CAME TOGETHER TO ASSIST 9 FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS NOMINATED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE COMMUNITY CLUBS. VOLUNTEERS HELPED PAINT, REPAIR , CLEAN UP LANDSCAPES AND PLANT FLOWERS. THAT EVENING, 9 QUIET HEROES AND ONE GOOD NEIGHBOR WHO HAVE SERVED THEIR COMMUNITIES UNSELFISHLY WERE HONORED AT A SPECIAL DINNER.*** JONES-BOWMAN LEADERSHIP AWARD PROGRAM:** THE PRESENTS AWARDS EACH YEAR TO UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE STUDENTS COMMITTED TO DEVELOPING THEIR LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES. 2025 ALL FELLOWS COMPLETED THEIR PROGRAM BY WORKING WITH A MENTOR TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP AND CULTURAL GOALS, COMPLETE 40 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER WORK, AND COMPLETE A GROUP PROJECT. THESE INCLUDED A RESEARCH INTERNSHIP IN CT AND A PRESENTAION ON YONGUSKA AND WM. HOLLAND THOMAS, A STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM IN SEOUL, SOUTH KORIA, AND TRAVEL TO SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO TO ASSIST IN NATIVE FASHION WEEK. FELLOWS ATTENDED MAJOR CONFERENCES IN CA & AZ. THESE EXPERIENCES ALLOW THE FELLOWS TO EXPAND THEIR LEADERSHIP NETWORKS, DEEPEN CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE, AND STRENGTHEN THEIR PROFESSIONAL SKILLS. *** SGA0T 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. PARTICIPANTS ARE SELECTED THROUGH A NOMINATION PROCESS, FINAL SELECTION IS DETERMINED BY THE RIGHT PATH ADVISORY COUNCIL, WHICH IS COMPRISED OF COMMUNITY PROFESSIONALS AND RIGHT PATH ALUMNI. CONTIUE*** SGA0T RIGHT PATH CULTURAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM:** THE 2025 COHORTS LEARNING COVERED AN EXTENSIVE RANGE OF TOPICS, INCLUDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE NATURAL WORLD, STORYTELLING, AGRICULTURE, PLANT IDENTIFICATION, FOOD SUSTAINABLILITY, TRADITIONAL FOODWAYS, RESPECTFUL RESEARCH PRACTICES, ARCHAEOLOGY, REPATRIATION, CHEROKEE LEADERSHIP, HUMOR IN LEADERSHIP,HBOARDING SCHOOLS, THE TRAIL OF TEARS, RTR, THE CHEROKEE DOULA PROGRAM, CHEROKEE LANGUAGE, REGIONAL CHEROKEE SITES, AND CHEROKEE ART AS A LEADERSHIP TOOL. PARTICIPANTS COMPLETED THEIR GROUP PROJECTS, TSUNATSOHISDI-WHERE THEY GATHER, A ONE-CDAY COMMUNTIY EVENT AT THE MUSEUM OF THE CHEROKEE PEOPLE. 2025 COHORT GRADUATED 10 PARTICIPANTS THAT COMPLETED THE PROGRAM. 27 NOMINEES HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED FOR 2026 COHORT. *** **ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:** DIVERSIFIED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EXPANSION IS CRITICAL TO LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY FOR THE QUALLA BOUNDARY AND WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. CPFS GRANTMAKING STRATEGY WILL ENCOMPASS BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, TOURISM, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY WILL FOCUS ON ENTREPRENEURIAL AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT. TOURISM EMPHASIS WILL BE ON THE REVITALIZAION OF CHEROKEES BUSINESS AND CULTURAL DISTRICTS, INCREASING LOCAL FESTIALS AND UNIFIED MARKETING CAMPAIGN. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT WILL FOCUS ON K-20 EDUCATION AND FINANCIAL EDUCATION.*** **BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY** CPFS SUPPORT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS REPRESENTED THROUGH OUR WORK WITH SEQUOYAH FUND, SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND THE CHEROKEE CULTURAL ENTIES (CHEROKEE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION, MUSEUM OF THE CHEROKEE INDIAN, AND QUALLA ARTS & CRAFTS COOPERATIVE). CONTINUING IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CULTURAL DISTRICT AND INTEREST IN DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION WILL HELP DESGINATE THESE AREAS AS SPECIAL PLACES FOR VISITORS. EFFORT FOR THE NEXT YEAR WILL FOCUS ON INCREASING CA