The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina

Grant Details

The mission of Women for Women (WFW) is to improve the lives of women and girls in Western North Carolina through women’s collective giving. Our vision is to empower women to take action, inspire hope and possibility, and strengthen Western North Carolina. WFW works to create opportunities through grantmaking, advocacy and advancing women’s philanthropy. Since 2006 and with additional support from the Women's Fund, WFW has invested more than $5.5 million in grants in WNC.

WFW seeks to contribute to a region of shared prosperity and belonging where all who identify as women and girls benefit from equitable opportunities and outcomes. To that end, WFW is committed to focusing our grantmaking on work that will reduce inequities in our region, address racial and other biases, and dismantle discriminatory systems that disadvantage marginalized members of our community.

Deadline & Dates

2025 Grants have been awarded. Please check back.

Eligibility

Organizations are eligible to apply for Women for Women grants if they:

have missions or programs focused on serving women and girls
are financially sustainable
are tax-exempt as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or governmental entities
are located in and serving one or more of these WNC counties or territories: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, The Qualla Boundary, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania and Yancey

If an organization has received WFW grants in the past, it must have successfully closed any previous WFW grants (final report submitted and approved) by the Application submission date to be eligible for funding in this cycle.

What We Do Not Fund

Women for Women does not offer grants for:

capital support for new buildings or major expansions
recreational equipment, including playgrounds
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
festivals or one-time events such as exhibits, performances or fundraisers
scholarships
activities taking place or expenses incurred before grant decisions are made
sectarian religious purposes
partisan political purposes
endowment, deficit funding or debt retirement
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 Assistance

If you would like to discuss your proposal or have questions regarding eligibility, you are welcome to email the Women for Women program administrator at wfw@cfwnc.org. Please review this rubric as a guide.

2. Submit an Application

Check back to access the online application process.

3. Review Process

Applications are screened for completeness, clarity and compliance with eligibility requirements. The Women for Women Grants Committee, made up of volunteer WFW members, oversees the grant review process with support and oversight from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. Grants Committee members will review applications using this rubric as a guide.

CFWNC distributes grant payments by electronic funds transfer (EFT). Each grantee must have current banking information on file at CFWNC to receive payment.