The McDowell Endowment Grant

The McDowell Endowment is a local philanthropic initiative dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents of McDowell County, North Carolina. Administered through The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC), the Endowment supports charitable giving and funds community-focused projects. Its goal is to bolster organizations that deliver meaningful and measurable benefits to the residents and neighborhoods of McDowell County. Each year, The McDowell Endowment awards grants of up to $5,000 to eligible organizations, with a focus on proposals that demonstrate a strong potential for community impact. Grant funds may be used for a wide range of charitable purposes. The Endowment does not typically support activities such as annual campaigns, deficit funding, endowment building, sectarian or political efforts, or expenses incurred before grant decisions are finalized. Exceptions to these guidelines may be made by the Endowment's advisory committee in coordination with CFWNC staff. To be eligible, applicants must be qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofits, governmental units, educational entities, or religious organizations that serve McDowell County. Fiscal sponsors may apply on behalf of a project, provided they submit only one application per year and are in compliance with prior reporting requirements. Organizations must also be based in or already serving the county, and any prior grantees must have submitted End of Grant Reports to be considered for additional funding. Applicants begin the process by initiating an online application through CFWNC’s grant system. Technical assistance is available via Diane Crisp, Senior Grants Manager, while eligibility questions can be directed to Program Officer Jeremy Lett. Once submitted, applications are screened for completeness and compliance. The Endowment’s advisory committee then evaluates proposals based on alignment with funding priorities, the applicant’s capacity to execute the project, and potential benefits to the community. In cases where a proposed project will serve a third-party institution (e.g., schools), applicants must include a letter of endorsement from that organization. Grant applications are due by 5 p.m. on February 1 each year, with the deadline rolling to the next business day if it falls on a weekend or holiday. Funding decisions are typically made by the end of March. Once awarded, grants should generally be expended within 10 months. Grantees are required to submit end-of-grant reports online, detailing the use of funds and outcomes achieved. Additional reports or site visits may be requested by the Endowment. All grant payments are processed electronically, and awardees must maintain up-to-date banking details with CFWNC.