The Fund for Haywood County

The Fund for Haywood County, a philanthropic initiative under the umbrella of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, is committed to enhancing the quality of life for residents in Haywood County, North Carolina. Its primary objective is to encourage charitable giving and provide financial support to local projects that create tangible community benefits. The Fund prioritizes proposals that address pressing local needs and exhibit a high degree of community impact. Grants are available for a broad range of charitable purposes, with a maximum award size of $7,500 per project. The program is structured to support organizations working across various sectors, provided their efforts serve the residents of Haywood County. The Fund also advises a related opportunity through the Mib and Phil Medford Endowment Fund. This fund is specifically dedicated to beautification efforts, streetscape improvements, and enhancements to public amenities in the Town of Waynesville or its extra-territorial jurisdictions. The Medford Fund aims to foster economic vitality, public health, and artistic expression for communal benefit. Projects eligible for this stream of funding must be focused and specific, rather than serving as general operating support. Preference is given to proposals that secure matching support, either cash or in-kind, and those that take place on Town of Waynesville property. Projects funded through this stream are expected to be completed within one year of receiving funds. Applicants must be qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofits, governmental bodies, educational institutions, or religious organizations that are either based in or actively serve Haywood County. Entities acting as fiscal sponsors must adhere to specific requirements and may submit only one application per year. Organizations that have previously received funding must have submitted their final grant reports before applying again. Additionally, if a project involves a third-party beneficiary, such as a nonprofit working in public schools, the application must include a letter of endorsement from the beneficiary institution. The grant application process includes optional pre-submission consultations with Foundation staff to ensure eligibility and strengthen proposals. Applications must be submitted through the Foundation’s online portal by 5 p.m. on the first Friday in February. The review process involves an initial staff screening followed by evaluation from an advisory committee. Evaluation criteria include the clarity of the proposal, alignment with the Fund’s priorities, organizational capacity, and anticipated benefit to the community. Awards are typically announced by the end of March. Successful applicants will receive funding via electronic funds transfer and are expected to use the funds within ten months of receipt. Awardees must also submit a final report detailing fund usage and project outcomes through the Foundation’s grant system. Additional follow-up, such as site visits or further documentation, may be required. Interested applicants for Medford Fund grants must consult with Virginia Dollar, Senior Program Officer, before submitting a proposal. Questions related to the grant system and technical issues can be directed to Diane Crisp, Senior Grants Manager. While the Fund allows some flexibility in its guidelines, exceptions are made in consultation with Foundation staff. The Fund generally does not support capital campaigns, scholarships, or activities that occur before grant decisions are finalized.

Emphasize community benefit; Matching support preferred (Medford Fund); Projects on Town property preferred