(January 2026) CFWNC recently approved $40,000 in Cultural Resources focus area grants for general operations to eight history organizations or places of cultural significance across WNC. CFWNC awards discretionary funding in Education, Cultural Resources, Human Services, and Natural Resources.
Cultural Resources grants are awarded through competitive and proactive processes. Competitive general operating grants are distributed according to a rotating schedule and through an expedited application. Proactive applications may be invited for unique projects or programs that address the Cultural Resources focus area goals.
Unrestricted gifts of $5,000 were awarded to:
Altapass Foundation serving Avery, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, and Yancey counties.
Avery Riverwalk Quilt Guild serving Avery County.
Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center serving Buncombe and McDowell counties.
Historic Gilboa Foundation serving Burke County.
Martin Luther King Jr. Committee of the New Hope Community serving Rutherford County.
Smoky Mountain Community Theatre serving Graham, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties.
Stecoah Valley Arts Crafts and Educational Center serving Graham County.
Swannanoa Valley Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Corporation serving Buncombe County.
CFWNC works with families, businesses and nonprofits to strengthen communities through the creation of charitable funds and strategic grantmaking. A permanent charitable resource, the Foundation manages over 1,300 funds and facilitated $69 million in grants last year bringing total distributions to more than $456 million since its founding in 1978.