The Fund for Haywood County has awarded $50,000 in grants to area nonprofit organizations that provide critical services for economically disadvantaged people.

The grants include:

• $25,000 to Aspire, Youth and Family for a structured afterschool program, serving 80 youth in Haywood and Buncombe counties, that employs culinary arts training to help at-risk youth make positive decisions and motivate them to stay in school.

• $25,000 to Thirtieth Judicial District Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Alliance for the Rural Collaborative for Underserved Crime Victims to support development and training to improve positive responses by staff in the far west seven counties that work with victims of crime including those experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, disabilities, human trafficking and immigrant abuse.

The Fund for Haywood County was established in 1994 by a group of local residents as a permanent endowment and resource for charitable efforts that benefit Haywood County.

828.254.4960 or www.cfwnc.org.