Education

Our goal is to improve educational opportunities for all WNC learners.

Supporting Teachers and Learners

Investing in Education for a Thriving Future

Education is central to the continued development of a thriving, just, and creative Western North Carolina. It is the foundation of economic progress and effective civic participation. The skills and attributes of an educated public help our region prosper and expand opportunities across it. The educational profile of a region plays a significant role in potential employers’ decisions to invest in an economy. For these reasons and others, CFWNC directs resources toward improving educational outcomes, systems and opportunities through grants and scholarships. This work is aggregated under the Education focus area.

Support the Fund for Education

<p>Photo courtesy of Friends of the WNC Nature Center</p>

<p>CFWNC Site Visit to Verner Early Learning Center, photo courtesy of CFWNC</p>

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.

See Recent Grants

Each fall, CFWNC will award grants of up to $25,000 through the Human Services and Education grant program.
The Learning Links program offers mini grants up to $1,000 for public school teachers to help them provide "hands-on" creative learning projects to their students. The goal of this program is to increase students' enthusiasm for learning and staying in school through graduation.

Applications may be invited for timely and effective projects or programs. These grant opportunities are not governed by the cycles or categories specified for competitive Education grants but must address the Education focus area goal. Because a limited number of proactive grants can be awarded, 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 Program Officer Jeremy Lett at 828-785-4743.

Want to know more?

Contact Jeremy Lett
Program Officer
828-785-4743

Email Jeremy

Supporting WNC Students

Scholarships

Thanks to the generosity of donors who support opportunities for students to pursue post-secondary education, CFWNC awards scholarships through many different scholarship programs; each has specific eligibility requirements. To learn more about these opportunities, please visit CFWNC’s Scholarships page.

The 2026 scholarship cycle awarded $671,500 to 106 students.

Support Scholarships View the Scholarship Directory