Strategic Partnership Grants

The Strategic Partnership Grants (SPG) program, administered by Buncombe County, North Carolina, is designed to support nonprofit organizations that align with the County’s Strategic Plan 2030 (SP2030). The program provides funding to community-based projects that further the County’s goals in areas such as growth and development, economic opportunity, education, health, public safety, and environmental preservation. These grants are aimed at fostering measurable outcomes for local residents through targeted investments that advance systemic change and sustainable development within the community. Funding for SPG is drawn from Buncombe County’s general fund as part of its annual budget process. Two distinct funding tiers are available to applicants. Option 1 supports requests of up to $10,000 for one-time, non-operational expenses such as equipment, supplies, training, and professional services; this option excludes administrative or management costs. Option 2 provides up to $85,000 for broader program or project expenses, including operations. All grantees are required to report on their progress using either milestone tracking (Option 1) or both milestones and performance measures (Option 2), depending on the funding tier selected. Eligible applicants are limited to nonprofit organizations with IRS-recognized tax-exempt status that operate within Buncombe County and serve local residents. Fiscal sponsorship is permitted for organizations that do not meet the direct eligibility requirements. Projects must align with one or more objectives of the County’s SP2030 plan and may optionally demonstrate relevance to recovery from Tropical Storm Helene, which is an evaluation criterion. Specific focus areas include housing, workforce development, education, healthcare, disaster preparedness, environmental conservation, and others. However, some project types are explicitly excluded due to overlap with other county funding streams, such as affordable housing construction, arts programming, and services specifically targeting early childhood or older adults. Applications open on January 5, 2026, and are due by 12:00 PM on February 20, 2026. Proposals must be submitted through the County’s online grant portal. Required components include basic organizational information, a detailed project plan, strategic alignment explanation, budget form and narrative, and anticipated results. An optional virtual grant writing workshop is scheduled for January 13, 2026, and applicants may also request one-on-one consultation appointments through the County’s scheduling system. Communication with SPG Committee members is prohibited during the application phase to ensure impartiality. Applications are reviewed by the Strategic Partnership Grants Committee using a standardized, points-based evaluation rubric that scores proposals on alignment with SP2030, impact, project design, performance measures, organizational capacity, access to services, and relevance to Helene recovery. Funding recommendations are made by April 17, 2026, and finalized by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners during the June 2026 budget adoption process. The performance period spans from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Contract terms require grantees to maintain appropriate insurance, comply with public record policies, and submit required financial documentation based on organizational size. Awarded organizations may receive funds as lump-sum payments, reimbursements, or installments. Final reports and evaluations are necessary to maintain eligibility for future funding, and all grant use must fall within the County’s legal authority under North Carolina General Statutes. The program is anticipated to continue on an annual basis, with the next cycle expected in early 2027.

Prioritize alignment with SP2030 and provide strong data-supported case for Helene recovery.