Rutherford County Endowment

Rutherford Housing Partnership was awarded $8,000 to upgrade homes rented by low-income people. Photo courtesy of Rutherford Housing Partnership.

The Rutherford County Endowment seeks to benefit the broad community and its residents by promoting philanthropy and strengthening charitable organizations serving Rutherford County.

Grants of $2,500 to $10,000 will be made to nonprofit organizations and public agencies for charitable purposes, including programmatic and capital needs. Applications for general operating support may be accepted but generally will be given low priority. Requests that exhibit the greatest community benefit (including requests addressing education; early childhood development; health and wellness; assisting people in need; arts, culture and natural resources; or the environment) will be given the highest consideration.

  • If an organization other than the applicant will benefit from the grant, then the applicant should include a letter of endorsement from that organization.
  • Grant funds should be expended within one year of the award.

Deadlines and Dates

The grant application deadline is 5 p.m. on March 1. If the deadline date is on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is 5 p.m. the next business day.

Eligibility

  • Grants may be awarded to qualified 501(c)(3), governmental, educational, and religious organizations serving Rutherford County with a documented history of substantial work in Rutherford County that pre-dates the application.
  • An eligible organization may only submit one application per year.

What We Do Not Fund

Grants generally do not support: annual giving campaigns, endowment funds, deficit funding or debt retirement, sectarian religious purposes, partisan political purposes, 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, or activities taking place or expenses incurred before grant decisions are made.

How to Apply

1. Access Community Foundation Staff Assistance

If you would like to discuss your proposal or have questions regarding eligibility, contact Virginia Dollar, Senior Program Officer, by email or at 828-367-9907.

2. Submit a Grant Application

Begin the online application process to submit a grant application. 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 application.

3. Review Process

Staff screens applications for completeness, clarity, and compliance with eligibility requirements. The Endowment’s advisory committee evaluates grant applications, taking into consideration the Endowment's priorities, availability of funds for the stated purposes, applicants’ capabilities, and potential benefits to the community. Funding decisions will be completed, grant awards announced, and funds distributed by the end of April. Use of grant funds may begin on or after May 1.

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. We may also require additional reports or site visits.

Guideline Modifications

The Endowment'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, visit Recent Grants.

Return to Grants Directory