The mission of the Melvin R. Lane Fund is to empower and strengthen organizations dedicated to providing essential support services for individuals in need, youth, the elderly, and those facing mental and/or physical challenges.
This program may award up to seven grants of $90,000 to $180,000 over three years ($30,000 to $60,000 per year) to help human service organizations improve existing operations and programs, develop or expand partnerships, and maintain financial stability. Organizations should request an amount that is relative to and appropriate for their operating budget.
Deadlines and Dates
The Melvin R. Lane Fund grant cycle is delayed for one year to focus funding efforts on Hurricane Helene Recovery.
Eligibility
- Nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and have been operating for at least three years are eligible to apply.
- Organizations must have operating budgets of at least $100,000 and have two or more full-time (or equivalent) employees.
- Organizations must be located in one of these WNC counties: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Yancey and the Qualla Boundary.
- An eligible organization may only submit one application per cycle.
What We Do Not Fund
Grants normally do not support: large brick and mortar capital projects, activities taking place before grant decisions are made, sectarian religious purposes, partisan political purposes, veterans affairs, deficit funding, or debt retirement.
How to Apply
Please note: If your organization is chosen as a finalist, the Executive Director and a key staff or board member should attend a 3-hour workshop facilitated by WNC Nonprofit Pathways. Please do not apply if your organization is not ready for this commitment.
1. Access Community Foundation Staff Assistance
It is strongly advised that applicants contact Virginia Dollar, Senior Program Officer, by email or at 828-367-9907 to review their proposal prior to submitting a Letter of Intent.
2. Submit a Letter of Intent
Process is delayed to 2026. Details and deadlines will be shared when they are available. For technical assistance with the online grant system, please contact Diane Crisp, Senior Grants Manager, by email or at 828-367-9904. The online system notifies applicants by email upon receipt of their Letter of Intent.
3. Invitation to Submit Full Application and Grant Workshop
Applicants will be notified whether they are invited to submit a full application. Ten to twelve finalists will be selected to move to the next round of review.
4. Submit a Full Application
5. Virtual Presentations
Each finalist will participate in a virtual presentation to the advisory board.
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 (through the online grant system) two progress reports and an 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. We may also require additional reports or site visits.
Guideline Modifications
The Fund’s advisory committee may modify these guidelines, or make exceptions to them, in consultation with the staff of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.
For additional information, download Recent Grants.