In the spring of 1982 two friends got together so that one, David Stick, local author and historian, could interview the other, Andy Griffith, local resident and Hollywood actor, for an article.  After the work ended, they spent some time talking.  Griffith commented that he was so thankful for the support his home community had given him when he first started his acting career and he wished he could find some way to show them just how much their encouragement had meant.  Stick said he had recently learned about community foundations and both agreed that this was the perfect method for anyone who loved the Outer Banks to give something back to it.

The friends soon involved businessmen Edward Greene and George Crocker, banker Ray White, attorney Martin Kellogg and accountant Jack Adams.  These community leaders formed a core visionary group that wrote articles of incorporation and bylaws and formed the first board of directors of this new charitable organization.

In November the group invited the public to a meeting in Manteo and announced the creation of the Outer Banks Community Foundation.  The community embraced the concept and many immediately made contributions and became charter members of the Foundation.  Within a few months, the Foundation had received contributions in excess of $90,000 and had awarded $10,000 in grants to local nonprofits to help meet the community’s needs.

By the end of 2007, the assets of the Outer Banks Community Foundation had reached over $9,100,000.  The Foundation manages 88 different Funds, including donor-advised, designated, scholarship, organizational endowment and field of interest.  The Foundation has helped donors give back over $2,100,000 in grants and scholarships to meet needs on the Outer Banks.