Graham Donations Went to Parks, Not Mayor Dickey, Records Show

Public records shared by Graham city officials showed that donations received by the city since December 2025 were directed almost entirely to the Recreation and Parks Department, not to Mayor Chelsea Dickey's travel or personal expenses.

The city reported $5,682 in donations over that period. Roughly 77 percent of that total, or $4,400, was designated for the recreation fund and earmarked largely for Arts Around the Square, the community festival Graham revived in May 2025 after a years-long absence. The donor list included a $1,000 sponsorship from UnitedHealthcare, a $1,000 sponsorship from Impact Alamance, $500 each from Duke Energy and S&ME, artisan vendor fees of $800 and $550, and a $50 cash vendor fee.

The inquiry arose from public speculation about whether donations had funded Dickey's attendance at the N.C. Main Street conference or other mayoral activities. Graham Assistant City Manager Aaron Holland and Recreation and Parks Director Brian Faucette clarified that the donations received in the specified period were earmarked for recreation programming. They also noted that some small contributions are gathered through program registration processes, such as families donating to offset recreation fees for children who cannot afford them.

One donation specifically tied to the mayor had been offered but was rejected by a council majority; no other contributions were designated for Dickey's conference travel or personal duties.

For the full fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, the city reported $9,930.25 in total donations, a figure that also included a $150 tree donation and a drone contributed to the fire department.

The council's rejection of the one mayor-linked donation, combined with the documented recreation earmarks, left little in the city's own records to support the speculation that had circulated publicly.