Pigeon River Fund Grant

The Pigeon River Fund, administered by The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC), provides grant support to projects that aim to improve water quality and natural habitats in Haywood, Buncombe, and Madison counties. The Fund's purpose is to enhance streams and rivers through projects with direct impacts such as improved surface water quality, better fish and wildlife management, increased public access to water resources, and broader public awareness regarding water conservation responsibilities. Examples of qualifying projects include watershed studies, river management plans, and conservation easements. Funding is generally awarded in amounts ranging from $5,000 to $35,000 for one-year projects, with the potential for higher awards upon prior staff approval. Conservation easement-related requests are capped at $30,000. While PRF does not usually support general operating expenses, select organizations chosen by the PRF Advisory Committee may receive up to $50,000 for operating support. Projects should ideally leverage additional funding or in-kind contributions, with a requirement that contingent matching funds be secured within 18 months of receiving a PRF award. Higher priority is given to initiatives that are collaborative, address water quality issues in identified priority areas, include long-term benefits, or incorporate Best Management Practices (BMPs) for water quality. Education and public awareness projects that help individuals understand the impact of their actions on the river basin are also highly encouraged. Conversely, standalone demonstration projects, government agency staffing requests, and enforcement-related projects receive lower priority. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt under IRS code 501(c)(3) or be governmental entities operating in one or more of the three covered counties. PRF does not fund litigation-related activities, scholarships, religious or political endeavors, endowments, debt repayment, capital construction, festivals, or activities occurring before grant approval. The grant cycle occurs twice annually, with deadlines on March 15 and September 15. If a deadline falls on a holiday or weekend, applications are due by 5 p.m. on the following business day. Decisions are typically made by May and November, respectively. Applications are submitted through an online system, and applicants are encouraged to consult CFWNC staff for guidance. Tara Scholtz, Senior Program Officer, is the primary contact for eligibility and project discussions, and Diane Crisp, Senior Grants Manager, provides technical assistance with applications. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with fund priorities, project feasibility, applicant capacity, and community benefit. Site visits or interviews may be requested during the review period. Successful applicants must provide a final report through CFWNC’s online grant system. Additional reporting or monitoring may be requested. Grant funds are disbursed via electronic funds transfer, and up-to-date banking information is required.