Grant Details
CFWNC will award small grants of $5,000 for general operating support through a simple online application to nonprofits with an arts-based mission in one of the six categories below.
- Arts Councils – organizations that provide funding, management, and programming services for arts organizations within a defined geographic area
- Communication Arts – literature and writing, radio, film, and oral histories
- Craft – ceramics, glass, textile, metal, and wood
- Performing Arts – theatre, dance, music, and other types of performance
- Visual Arts – painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, and mixed media
- WNC History and Places of Cultural Significance - organizations that preserve and promote: 1) traditions, values, and lifestyles of different cultural groups to encourage understanding and respect for different WNC cultural heritages; or 2) places, which may include buildings, structures, objects, sites, or entire districts that have historical, architectural, archaeological, or cultural significance. These do not include war monuments or memorials or any sites that may promote division, disrespect, or animosity.
Grant funds will be available by the end of February and in most cases should be spent within 10 months of the award.
Deadline & Dates
The grant application deadline is 5 p.m. on the second Friday in January.
If a deadline date is on a holiday, the deadline is 5 p.m. the next business day.
Eligibility
- Organizations must be tax-exempt as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or public agencies.
- Organizations must be located in the Qualla Boundary or one of the following counties in Western North Carolina: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, or Yancey.
- Organizations must already be established in and serving Western North Carolina.
- Preference will be given to nonprofit organizations. Public agencies may be supported if few nonprofits serve a geographic area and if funds remain available.
- Applications by non-arts organizations that run an arts program will not be considered.
- Fiscal sponsorships are not allowed under this program.
- Eligible organizations may only submit one application per year.
- Eligible organizations will have submitted End of Grant Reports for all prior Cultural Resources General Operating Support awards.
What We Do Not Fund
- Private primary and secondary schools (except for projects or programs that are not directed toward the school's students or staff and that directly address community needs) and private clubs.
- Sectarian religious purposes.
- Partisan political purposes.
- Activities taking place or expenses incurred before grant decisions are made.
- State or national organizations, unless (1) funding is sought for a portion of the program or project that directly benefits WNC, and (2) local people assume leadership of the program or project.
How to Apply
1. Access Community Foundation Staff Assistance
If you would like to discuss your proposal or have questions regarding eligibility, contact Tara Scholtz, Vice President for Programs, by email or at 828-367-9913.
2. Submit a Grant Application
Begin the online application process to submit a grant application. For technical assistance with the online grant system, contact Alana Drewery, Grants Manager, by email or at 828-367-9904. The online system notifies applicants by email upon receipt of their application.
3. Review Process
Foundation staff evaluates grant applications taking into consideration the organizations’ priorities, availability of funds, applicants’ capabilities and benefits to the community.
CFWNC distributes grant payments by electronic funds transfer (EFT). Each grantee must have current banking information on file at CFWNC to receive payment.
Reporting Requirements
Applicants must submit an online end-of-grant report verifying use of grant funds and results. Instructions will be included in the grant award letter sent by email to the head of the awarded organization, and report deadlines can be found in CFWNC’s online grant system.
Guideline Modifications
CFWNC may modify these guidelines or make exceptions to them at its sole discretion.
Additional Information
For additional information, download Recent Grants.
Back to Grants Directory