Avery Community Foundation Grant

The Avery Community Foundation (ACF), established in 1997, is a philanthropic affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation. It operates with the mission of supporting local causes in Avery County, North Carolina, through the cultivation of permanent endowments, community leadership, and direct grantmaking. Guided by a volunteer advisory board, ACF functions as both a steward of charitable funds and a facilitator of community development. Its efforts are aimed at building long-term community assets and addressing pressing needs identified through tools such as the annual Community Needs Assessment. The 2026 grant cycle for the Avery Community Foundation opens on April 10, 2026, and closes at noon Eastern Time on May 12, 2026. This competitive grant program is designed to support qualified charitable organizations that provide services within Avery County. The available funding originates from the community grantmaking fund, and the program typically awards grants in the range of $500 to $1,000. In the previous cycle (2025), ACF distributed a total of $4,120 to five local organizations, highlighting the foundation’s commitment to grassroots impact and localized giving. Eligible organizations must apply through the North Carolina Community Foundation’s Grant Application Portal. New applicants are required to follow instructions in "Training Module I" to create a profile, while returning applicants can log in using their existing credentials. All users must review "Training Module II" to understand how to submit an application. Importantly, adherence to the provided guidelines is a prerequisite for funding consideration—applications that deviate from these requirements will be deemed ineligible. Grant decisions are generally announced approximately two months following the close of the application cycle. The ACF does not specify required documentation or evaluation criteria within the public grant notice, although it is implied that applications should align with community needs as identified by the annual assessment. The funder encourages applicants to review this assessment to better understand funding priorities. In addition to its core grantmaking, the foundation oversees specialized funds like the Dewey Wells Citizenship Fund, which supports organizations fostering values of personal responsibility and civic duty among Avery County youth. This reflects ACF's broader goal of nurturing a values-driven and resilient local community. For specific inquiries, applicants are advised to contact the Program Officer, although direct contact details are not provided in the public materials. The foundation emphasizes strict adherence to deadlines, explicitly stating that late submissions—including those delayed by technical issues—will not be accepted. This reinforces the need for timely and compliant applications. There is no indication of pre-application requirements such as Letters of Intent or concept papers. The Avery Community Foundation's annual grant program represents a reliable source of small-scale funding for nonprofits serving Avery County. Its recurring nature, paired with transparent timelines and community-focused criteria, offers a predictable opportunity for local organizations to seek operational or programmatic support. While the amounts awarded are modest, they can be vital for smaller organizations aiming to sustain or expand their services within the county.

Ensure applications strictly adhere to deadlines and follow portal instructions.