Black Mountain-Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund

The Black Mountain-Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund, managed by The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, is dedicated to promoting philanthropy and reinforcing charitable organizations that serve the Swannanoa Valley. The Fund particularly supports initiatives that contribute to health and wellness, education, cultural and natural resources, and human services in this region. The primary aim of the Fund is to inspire innovation within these focus areas by supporting organizations already established in or directly serving the Black Mountain and Swannanoa Valley, which is defined by the Owen School District. Grant awards range from $2,500 to $10,000 and are intended for a variety of charitable purposes. These include specific programmatic needs, purchasing of equipment and technology, and capital expenditures. However, applicants seeking funding for general operating expenses or for continuation of previously funded projects are less likely to receive support, as the Fund prioritizes new and innovative projects. Additionally, if the proposed project benefits another organization—such as a nonprofit running a program in public schools—a letter of endorsement from the benefiting organization must be included in the application. Eligible applicants must be qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, governmental bodies, educational institutions, or religious organizations serving the specified geographic area. Organizations acting as fiscal sponsors are also eligible, provided they meet the same conditions and only submit one application per cycle. A crucial requirement is that past recipients must have submitted final reports for any previous grants received from the Fund. Grant funds are distributed by the end of April and are generally expected to be utilized within ten months of the award. The grant application process opens annually and closes at 5:00 p.m. on March 1. If March 1 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline extends to 5:00 p.m. on the next business day. The application process includes a thorough review by staff and the Fund’s advisory committee, who evaluate applications based on completeness, clarity, compliance, organizational capacity, and community impact. Grant funds are distributed via electronic funds transfer, and recipients must ensure their banking information is up-to-date with CFWNC. Applicants must submit a final online report detailing the use and impact of the grant funds. These instructions are shared in the grant award letter and can also be tracked through the online grant system. Additional reports or site visits may be requested. While the guidelines are generally fixed, the Fund’s advisory committee retains the authority to modify or make exceptions to them with consultation from CFWNC staff. Applicants are encouraged to contact Virginia Dollar, Senior Program Officer, for program-related questions or Diane Crisp, Senior Grants Manager, for technical support with the application process.