Asheville Merchants Fund

The Asheville Merchants Fund (AMF) seeks to improve the quality of life in Buncombe County by supporting innovative projects that both strengthen the community and spur economic growth. This program provides grants of $15,000 to $25,000 each year for two years. Grants are paid in two installments, with a mid-grant report required after nine months; the second year of funding is contingent upon reasonable progress toward program goals. The AMF Grant Program is highly competitive, with approximately five to eight grants to be awarded each two-year funding cycle.
 

Deadline to Apply

The next opportunity to apply will be in the spring of 2009. Details will be posted closer to the date.
 

Eligibility

Nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code and public agencies are eligible to apply for these grants. Programs proposed by these organizations must be carried out within Buncombe County. Organizations may submit only one funding proposal at a time to this program.
 

Areas of Support

The AMF Grant Program has been established to support projects that will help our community succeed in the new economy. All projects proposed for funding must have outcomes related to economic growth. They should also have multiple, interconnected approaches to the areas of support mentioned below. For example; an afterschool program for teens focusing on career options; an affordable housing construction program that trains the unemployed in carpentry skills. The areas of support, in no particular order, are as follows :

Youth Success in School:

• Out of school time - afterschool and summer programs; career exploration
• Middle and high school students - targeted academic (particularly in math, science and technology) and non-academic activities related to job skill development
• Family support - improving the home environment for learning

Quality Jobs & Workforce:

• Living wage work - recruitment, retention, and expansion of businesses with higher quality, better-paying jobs
• Appropriate skills - training for jobs that are in-demand and critical to community viability
• Non-traditional training and services - evening and weekend schedules; short-term certificate programs; community-based versus institutional settings

Innovative Economic Approaches:

• Entrepreneurship - resources for entrepreneurs including access to training, services providers, and capital
• Technology - access and application of technology for businesses; state of the art equipment
• Community asset development - investing in craft and tourism economies; micro-enterprise; business planning and marketing for home-grown businesses

Social Infrastructure:

• Affordable housing - developing effective strategies, and supporting implementation
• Child/elder care - services to assist family members that increase the employee's ability to fully participate in the workforce
• Healthy families - access to care; wellness/prevention
   

Program Objectives

The Asheville Merchants Fund supports organizations that have the capacity and vision to develop multi-faceted programs that will help our community and its citizens thrive in the new economic environment. Only those organizations that exhibit all of the following characteristics will be considered for funding:

• Focus on a critical need (documented through independent sources) that addresses a gap in existing services
• Defined, measurable outcomes that can be achieved within the grant period
• Demonstrated effectiveness in one or more of the Areas of Support
• Skilled leadership with the potential to carry out innovative, integrated efforts
• Ability to develop strategic, timely projects in consultation with other community leaders
• A track record of previous coordination with others, and a commitment to pursuing future partnerships that will increase project success
   

Funding Restrictions

The Asheville Merchants Fund generally does not make grants for: ongoing operating expenses; capital campaigns including feasibility studies and architectural designs; or capital improvements (except for modest budget items, such as equipment, which are strategically linked to program effectiveness). The fund will not award a grant for: activities outside Buncombe County; recreational programs or equipment; festivals or one-time events; scholarships or funding to individuals; activities taking place before grant decisions are made; sectarian religious activities; political purposes; lobbying or legal actions; veteran affairs; endowment; deficit funding or debt retirement. The fund does not make grants, except in rare cases, to: private schools and clubs, EMS or fire departments or organized sports programs.

New or existing programs are eligible for support. Operating expenses may be approved if the application clearly demonstrates how the proposed work is critically important to achieving the strategic goals of the grant program in a significant, time-limited way.


How to Apply for an Asheville Merchants Fund Grant


1. Access Community Foundation Staff Assistance

The staff of The Community Foundation is available to assist you as you develop your proposal. Program Officer Tim Richards may be contacted via phone or email to provide personalized assistance to organizations.

2. Submit a Letter of Intent

You may request a Letter of Intent form be mailed to you or you may access the forms by clicking the following links:

AMF Letter of Intent (LOI)

CFWNC Grant Application Cover Page (required by all applicants)

CFWNC Grant Application Instructions (review to ensure you have submitted all required attachments for your grant application.)

Grantseekers must submit a completed LOI to the Foundation office by 5 p.m. on the date of the deadline. Refer to "CFWNC Grant Application Instructions" for details on submitting a complete LOI. LOIs may also be mailed to the Foundation’s post office box but must be received in the Foundation office by 5 p.m. on the deadline. Faxed and/or emailed applications are not accepted as official submission. Your organization will receive notification of the receipt of your application within two weeks following the application deadline. If you do not receive a notification, please contact Tara Scholtz .

Applicants will be notified by the end of April whether or not they are invited to submit a full application.

3. Submit a Full Application

Selected organizations will submit a full application by June 4. Site visits by staff and committee members will be conducted during late June. Grant proposals are evaluated by an Advisory Committee, approved by the CFWNC Board, and funding decisions are announced in late July for projects that begin after August 1.

Recent Asheville Merchants Grants