Applying for a Community Foundation Grant

A key role of The Community Foundation is to match donor funds with promising projects across Western North Carolina.To help accomplish this, we invite nonprofit organizations to bring us their best ideas on how they can improve the quality of life for our region's citizens. Through a careful review process, the Foundation's staff and Board work together to award grants that strengthen the nonprofit sector with program and organizational support. In simplest terms, CFWNC grants are an investment in the future of our mountain region.

Our grants are made to nonprofit 501(C)(3) organizations and public agencies serving the 18-county WNC region. Each grant program has specific application criteria and deadlines.

We want to help make applications for funding as effective as possible. Before submitting a request, nonprofit representatives should review current guidelines on this site. We also offer technical assistance through workshops and a nonprofit resource center.

For general information about the Foundation's various grant programs listed below, please contact Program Administrator Virginia Dollar by e-mail or by calling (828) 254-4960.

CFWNC Grant Programs

Biltmore Lake Charitable Fund Grants
Grants of $500 or more to improve the quality of life in the Enka-Candler community of Buncombe County.

Learning Links Grants
Grants up to $800 for public schools in Avery, Graham, Jackson, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford and Swain counties to offer hands-on learning activities in the classroom.

Melvin R. Lane Fund Grants
Grants up to $150,000 over three years to support collaborative approaches and organizational development for human-service nonprofits.

Next Steps Fund Grants
Provides up to $10,000 in matching resources to local governments or nonprofit organizations to support local community-based efforts to adapt and implement tools from the Mountain Landscape Initiative's Region A Toolbox

Opportunity Grants
Grants up to $7,000 to nonprofits in the 18-county region to support the arts, environment, education, health care, helping people in need and building stronger communities.

Organizational Development Grants
Grants up to $7,500 to nonprofits in the 18-county region to hire a consultant or receive training to build their capacity to serve the community.

Pigeon River Fund Grants
Grants of up to $25,000 to nonprofits in Haywood, Madison and Buncombe counties that are working to improve water quality.

Ramble Charitable Fund Grants
Grants of $2,500 to $7,500 to improve the quality of life in designated Buncombe County communities.

Strategy Grants
Grants of $10,000 to $25,000 to nonprofit organizations in the 18-county region that help create systemic change

Summertime Kids Grants
Grants of up to $2,000 to nonprofits in the 18-county region that provide disadvantaged children with enriching summer activities.

Women for Women Grants
Grants of up to $100,000 to improve the lives of women and girls in the 18-county region.

Inactive CFWNC Grant Programs

These programs have no current deadline. Deadlines will be posted here as they are determined and email notices will be sent to nonprofits.

Affiliate GIFT Programs
In addition to grants awarded in conjunction with Foundation affiliates, several affiliates also provide modest funding to nonprofits in their communities through "GIFT" programs.

Cashiers Community Fund
Highlands Community Foundation
Rutherford County Foundation

Asheville Merchants Fund Grants
Grants of $15,000-$25,000 for two years to strengthen Buncombe County communities through economic growth that enhances the quality of life.

Hispanics in Philanthropy Grants
Grants for WNC Latino-led nonprofits.

Other Resources for Nonprofits
Learn more about the Nonprofit Resource Center, how to establish a nonprofit endowment fund or access links to other funders.