Human Services and Education Grant

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC), headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina, is a philanthropic organization that offers financial support to improve human services and education in the region. CFWNC has established a specific grant cycle that combines these two focus areas into a single annual opportunity, with funding available up to $25,000 per award. This funding opportunity is designed to directly support economically disadvantaged individuals and to bolster educational efforts from early childhood through adult learning. The Human Services grant objective is to fund programs that either continue, replicate, or expand existing initiatives offering direct services to economically disadvantaged populations. It also covers the purchase of equipment and materials that have a significant and immediate impact on such services. The Education grants are intended to support early childhood development, K-12 enrichment in specific focus areas such as afterschool programs and technology, and adult education efforts including English as a Second Language, literacy, and support for non-traditional students. Organizations applying must meet several eligibility requirements. Applicants must be located in and serve one or more 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, Yancey, or the Qualla Boundary. Additionally, organizations must either be a tax-exempt entity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or a government agency. Applicants must not have an open Human Services grant and must have submitted any required final reports from past funding cycles. Grant applications are due by 5 p.m. on the last Friday in August each year. Projects must commence after December 1 and should be completed within one year of the start date. Grant decisions are announced in November or early December. Each organization may submit only one application per cycle. CFWNC provides support throughout the application process, and contact information for specific program officers is available for guidance. Human Services applicants may contact Virginia Dollar, and Education applicants may contact Philip Belcher. Diane Crisp is available for technical assistance with the online grant system. Funding will not be considered for general operating expenses unrelated to the project, capital construction, recreational activities, private school programming for their own students or staff, one-time events, religious or political purposes, endowments, debt, or activities that occur prior to the award announcements. Additionally, state or national organizations must ensure that any proposed work directly benefits Western North Carolina and is led by local individuals. Grantees are required to submit end-of-grant reports verifying fund usage and project outcomes. Additional reporting or site visits may be requested. Payment is made through electronic funds transfer, and up-to-date banking information must be on file. This grant cycle is offered once annually, and while it does not operate on a rolling basis, it is expected to recur each year with similar timing.