Affiliate Funds
Black Mountain - Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund Cashiers Community Fund The Fund For Haywood County Highlands Community Fund The McDowell Endowment The Fund for Mitchell County Rutherford County Endowment Transylvania Endowment The Yancey Fund
Women for Women
Browse Affiliates Funds
Black Mountain - Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund Cashiers Community Fund The Fund For Haywood County Highlands Community Fund The McDowell Endowment The Fund for Mitchell County Rutherford County Endowment Transylvania Endowment The Yancey Fund
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Supporting Creative Economies

Celebrating WNC's Unique Culture

The culture of this region distinguishes it from any other place in North Carolina or, for that matter, the rest of the world. CFWNC envisions a vibrant and equitable Western North Carolina where all people can find opportunity and enjoy the region’s many resources. Cultural resources are essential to our economy, define our sense of place, acknowledge our history and enhance our quality of life. CFWNC is working to nurture the dynamic arts and culture ecosystem by promoting equitable access to arts and cultural experiences and supporting approaches that place the arts at the center of thriving, healthy communities.

Support the Fund for the Arts
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About

Photo courtesy of Mountain BizWorks.
Apply For Funding

Funds are Distributed through Competitive and Proactive Grants

Apply For Funding

Funds are Distributed through Competitive and Proactive Grants

Eligible organizations must be: (1) tax-exempt as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, public agencies or faith communities; and (2) 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.

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See Recent Grants

CFWNC will award small grants of $5,000 for general operating support through a simple online application according to the categories and schedule specified below. Each applicant must 1) select the category that best aligns with its mission and purpose and 2) apply only once during the rotation of grant cycles. The grant application deadlines are 5 p.m. on the second Friday in January and July.

Categories:

  • July 2025 Visual Arts – painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, and mixed media
  • January 2026 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 other sites that may promote division, disrespect, or animosity.
  • July 2026 Communication Arts – literature and writing, radio, film, and oral histories
  • January 2027 Arts Councils – organizations that provide funding, management and programming services for arts organizations within a defined geographic area
  • July 2027 Craft – ceramics, glass, textile, metal or wood
  • January 2028 Performing Arts – theatre, dance, music, and other types of performance

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.

Applications may be invited for timely, unique projects or programs. These grant opportunities are not governed by the cycles or categories specified for competitive Cultural Resources grants but must address the Cultural Resources focus area goal. Because a limited number of proactive grants can be made, applications may be invited as often as quarterly or until all available funds have been committed for that year. To determine eligibility for proactive grants, contact Senior Program Officer Tara Scholtz at 828-367-9913.

Want to know more?

Contact Tara Scholtz
Senior Program Officer
828-367-9913

Email Tara