The Fund for Haywood County seeks to improve the quality of life in Haywood County by promoting charitable giving and supporting projects that benefit its communities and residents.
The Fund for Haywood County provides grants up to $7,500 for charitable purposes. Requests that exhibit the greatest community benefit 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.
The Fund for Haywood County also advises the Mib and Phil Medford Endowment Fund, which provides grants for beautification, streetscape improvements and other public amenities within the city limits of the Town of Waynesville, North Carolina or its defined extra-territorial jurisdictions for the purpose of enhancing economic prosperity, a healthy community and the arts for public enjoyment. Grants should support specific projects, initiatives or efforts rather than provide general operating support.
Special Instructions for Medford Fund grants:
- Projects offering matching support (cash and/or in-kind) are preferred over those without any match.
- Projects taking place on Town of Waynesville property are strongly preferred.
- Projects should be completed within one year of receipt of grant funds.
If you are interested in applying for a Medford Fund grant, please contact Senior Program Officer Tara Scholtz to discuss your proposal. If it is deemed eligible, she will provide you with a code to access the Medford Fund application in our online system.
Deadlines and Dates
The grant application deadline for both grant opportunities is 5 p.m. on the first Friday in February.
Eligibility
- Grants may be awarded to qualified 501(c)(3), governmental, educational, and religious organizations serving Haywood County with a documented history of substantial work in Haywood 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: capital campaigns, scholarships, annual giving campaigns, endowment funds, deficit funding or debt retirement, sectarian religious purposes, partisan political purposes, festivals or one-time events such as exhibits, performances or fundraisers, 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 Tara Scholtz, Senior Program Officer, 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, 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 Fund’s advisory committee evaluates grant applications, taking into consideration the Fund’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 March. Use of grant funds may begin on or after April 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 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, visit Recent Grants.