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
mountain fog

Preserving Natural Resources

CFWNC partners extensively with a committed network of land trusts and nonprofits working to protect natural resources. Many of these conservation projects also support economic development, as a healthy environment is good for people and business. 

In partnership with others, funds have supported the Ecusta Trail in Henderson and Transylvania counties; inclusive growth in Old Fort; a wildlife safe passage on I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge; and the Wolfpen Loop Trail connecting to the Wilderness Gateway State Trail that will link over 55,000 acres of conservation lands across Catawba, Burke, McDowell and Rutherford counties. These projects and others acknowledge that taking responsible and strategic care of resources supports our quality of life and is good policy.

People who live in our region care about clean water sources, farmland protection, economic opportunities in outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, responsible growth and environmental stewardship. Our economy and environment are inextricably linked; forests and rivers cross boundaries and county lines. Our collective concern and care is a shared regional value, one that we can build on. Read more about our approach.

See Recent Grants Support the Fund for the Environment
About

Waterrock Rainbow.

Photo by Andre Daugherty.
<p>Hikers on Roan Mountain, Avery County.</p>
About

Hikers on Roan Mountain, Avery County.

Photo by Travis Bordley.
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Funds are Distributed through Proactive Grants

Continuing its Natural Resources work, CFWNC will focus on a “return to what was” or “protecting what is” by considering proposals that address the following areas:

  • Water Resources: Water Quality, Dam Removal, Stream Restoration
  • Land & Water: Conservation, Wildlife Diversity, Climate Resilience
  • Land Resources: Invasive Species Removal, Native Species Restoration, Forest Management

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.

Preference will be given to projects or programs that serve or benefit multiple counties.

If an organization is located in Haywood, Buncombe or Madison counties, potential applicants may also consider the Pigeon River Fund grant program.

Additional eligibility must be determined in consultation with Senior Program Officer Tara Scholtz. Contact her at 828-367-9913 or by email to discuss your proposal. A limited number of opportunities are available and may be invited as often as quarterly or until all available funds have been awarded for that year.

Subscribe to Email Notifications about Natural Resources Grants

Want to know more?

Contact Tara Scholtz
Senior Program Officer
828-367-9913

Email Tara