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AHOSKIE – A multi-million dollar gift to a local organization will establish a permanent endowment that will support the work of current and future charitable organizations in Bertie and Hertford counties.

On Tuesday, the North Carolina Community Foundation (NCCF) announced the Wayland L. Jenkins Jr. Endowment. Jenkins – a local businessman and investor known for his philanthropy – died in March of last year, but not before agreeing to donate nearly $22 million of his estate to create the endowment.

The announcement was made in the Fellowship Hall at First Baptist Church of Ahoskie where the Bertie-Hertford Community Foundation (BHCF) and the Bertie-Hertford Women’s Fund had gathered to award their annual grants.

“We’re honored that Wayland Jenkins placed his trust in the Bertie-Hertford Community Foundation,” said Jordan Harrell, president of the BHCF advisory board. “We look forward to stewarding this gift and developing a grantmaking program that invests in the future of our community.”

Kathryn R. Holding, Vice President of Philanthropic Services at the NCCF, noted than in 1999, Jenkins made the founding gift that established the BHCF, an affiliate of the NCCF.

“As a founding board member, Mr. Jenkins worked to ensure that this community had access to philanthropy,” Holding said. “He was generous throughout this life and his love for this community ran deep. Before he passed away last year. Wayland worked closely with us to ensure the people and the places he cared about in this community would be supported now and forever. This endowment represents his vision and his love for this community.

Holden said the grantmaking process of the Jenkins Endowment will be advised by the Bertie-Hertford Community Foundation.

“Our focus over the next several months is to deepen our understanding of the strengths, opportunities, and challenges in the Bertie and Hertford communities,” Holden stated. “We are going to listen to you, the organizations here already doing work in these communities, and we would like to hear from a broad cross section of the community about what makes your communities special and what dreams we might be able to realize.”

The first grants from the Jenkins Endowment are not expected to be made until some time next year.

“But this is really the moment that it begins as we start to shape the future of this program. Your input is really critical to help ensure that this program serves real needs with lasting impacts,” Holding noted.

Two community listening sessions are planned to gather input on how the grants program can best meet community needs and opportunities.

Bertie County: 4-5:30 p.m. on Aug. 5 at the NC Cooperative Extension Community Room, 104 Lancaster Avenue in Windsor; and

Hertford County: 4-5:30 p.m. on Aug. 19 at Roanoke-Chowan Community College, Freeland Building Community Room, 109 Community College Road, Ahoskie.

The capacity for each session is limited to 100 attendees. Visit nccommunityfoundation.org/Jenkins to register to attend the sessions, share feedback or sign up for updates.

For those unable attend, they can share their thoughts by using a form available on the aforementioned website.

John Tayloe, a close friend of Jenkins, shared his thoughts about this extraordinary man who believed in giving back to his community in a number of ways.

“He was one of the most well-rounded persons that I have ever known,” Tayloe said. “He was keenly aware of the needs here at home. He had the belief that he could make a difference and that is the motivation behind the endowment announced here today.”

Tayloe said his friend’s guiding principle in life comes from the Bible, Matthew 7, verse 12: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

“That verse is inscribed on his tombstone at the Aulander Cemetery,” Tayloe shared. “As we, today, begin a new chapter and celebrate the news of this endowment, I encourage that this scripture become our guiding principle moving forward.”

The Jenkins Endowment is permanent, meaning the $22 million will never be spent with its investment earnings providing the annual grant awards.

“Our challenge, as the Bertie-Hertford Community Foundation Board, is to meet the ever-changing needs of both of these counties. The philanthropic impact of this endowment will span many, many, many generations and today I encourage you to reimagine what is possible for Bertie and Hertford counties and provide input to address those needs. Let’s make a difference in the community that Wayland called home,” Tayloe concluded.

“The Bertie-Hertford Community Foundation and the Bertie-Hertford Women’s Fund have already made a real difference in the lives of our neighbors. Imagine what we’ll be able to support in the future through the generosity of the Wayland Jenkins Jr. Endowment. It will shape our region for generations to come. Together we will build a stronger community,” said Laura Beasley, Vice President of the Bertie-Hertford Community Foundation.

Jenkins was born in 1931 and graduated from Aulander High School and then from Wake Forest College. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955.

After his discharge, he returned home to work in family businesses. When his father passed away, Jenkins and his brother took over several car dealerships and formed Jenkins Investments.

Upon the death of his father, he and his brother, Joe Henry Jenkins, owned and operated Chas. H. Jenkins & Co. of Aulander and Ahoskie, Marsh Chevrolet Co. of Aulander, and Standard Chevrolet Co. of Ahoskie, all General Motors car dealerships. In 1964, the duo formed Jenkins Investments, a partnership devoted to the management of rental properties, farm and forest interests, and financial investments.

Jenkins was dedicated to generosity and community service. In addition to being a founder of NCCF’s Bertie-Hertford affiliate, he was active in the Bertie County Historical Association, Historic Murfreesboro, and the North Carolina Preservation Society. He was the first president of the Historic Hope Foundation and served on various committees, including the North Carolina Executive Mansion Fine Arts Committee.

Through his generous support, the Wayland L. Jenkins, Jr. Fine Arts Center opened in 2010 on the campus of Chowan University, an institution supported by the Jenkins family for many generations. He also established the Wayland L. Jenkins, Jr. Collection of Furniture and Furnishings at the Camp President’s Home on the Chowan campus and became one of the institution’s most avid supporters.