Integrity  ·  Transparency  ·  Trust

Supporting the Foundation

We are not accepting financial donations at this time — and we want to explain exactly why.

A Note from the Foundation

Financial Giving Is Paused — By Our Own Choice

The Cheraw Monacan Heritage Foundation has applied for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status with the IRS. That application is currently pending.

We have made a deliberate decision to hold off on receiving financial donations until that determination is received and confirmed. The reason is simple: we believe you deserve to give with full confidence that your gift is tax-deductible. We will not ask our community — or anyone who supports our work — to give under circumstances that are anything less than completely clear.

Our people have been misled by institutions for centuries. This Foundation will not be one of them — not even in a small way. When we open giving, it will be because everything is in order and you can trust exactly what your gift means.

The moment our 501(c)(3) determination letter is received, we will update this page, notify our community, and open financial giving immediately. We are grateful beyond words for the patience and support you have already shown.

In the Meantime

How You Can Help Right Now

Financial giving is not the only way to support this work — and in many cases it is not the most valuable way. Here is what we genuinely need while we wait for our determination:

Donate Archival Materials

Family Bibles, photographs, letters, documents, church records, newspaper clippings — if you have materials related to Cheraw Monacan history or the families connected to our community, we want to preserve them. We can digitize and return originals. This is irreplaceable work that does not require a tax receipt.

Contact us about your family's materials →

Volunteer Your Time and Skills

Our programs are built by community members who show up. If you have skills in archiving, photography, education, event coordination, legal or accounting expertise, web design, or simply two willing hands — reach out. We will put you to work on something that matters.

Contact us to volunteer →

Participate in the Oral History Project

If you are an elder, or know an elder who carries memories of our community's history, please contact us now. The oral history program is our most time-sensitive work. There is no substitute for the people who remember — and no amount of money can recover what is lost when they are gone.

Contact us about oral history participation →

Ask to Be Notified When Giving Opens

If you want to make a financial contribution and simply want to be contacted the moment our 501(c)(3) is approved, let us know. We will reach out to you directly before we make any public announcement.

Contact us to be added to the giving notification list →

A Preview of What's Coming

When Giving Opens, Here Is What Your Support Will Fund

We want you to know — now, before the doors open — exactly what your future gift will do. We have named our giving levels after the nations whose survival is the reason we exist.

$25
Saponi

Supports one archival digitization session or youth program materials.

$50
Catawba

Funds one hour of professional oral history recording and transcription.

$250
Monacan

Sponsors a full recording and archiving session with an elder community member.

$500+
Fort Christanna

Major support for preservation infrastructure, scholarship fund, or capital programs.