Melvin R. Lane Fund Grant

The Melvin R. Lane Fund is a grantmaking initiative administered by The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC). The Fund's mission is to support and empower organizations providing vital services to underserved individuals, including youth, the elderly, and those experiencing physical or mental challenges. Through its targeted funding, the Fund aims to bolster operational capacity, foster partnerships, and enhance the financial health of human service organizations within Western North Carolina. In its current cycle, the Melvin R. Lane Fund offers grants ranging from $90,000 to $180,000 over a three-year period. Each year, selected grantees may receive between $30,000 and $60,000, with funding calibrated to be appropriate to each organization’s operating budget. Up to seven grants are expected to be awarded. However, the grant cycle has been postponed by one year due to a strategic focus on Hurricane Helene Recovery efforts. As a result, Letters of Intent for the next cycle are due on January 8, 2026. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and have been operational for at least three years. Additional eligibility requirements include a minimum operating budget of $100,000 and at least two full-time (or equivalent) staff members. Organizations must also be based in one of 18 designated counties in Western North Carolina or the Qualla Boundary. The application process includes several steps. Initially, applicants must contact Senior Program Officer Virginia Dollar for a review prior to submitting a Letter of Intent. If selected as a finalist, the Executive Director and a key staff or board member must attend a three-hour workshop facilitated by WNC Nonprofit Pathways. Finalists will also be required to participate in a virtual presentation to the advisory board. Grant awards are distributed via electronic funds transfer, and recipients must submit two progress reports and a final report through CFWNC's online system. The grant does not typically fund large capital projects, activities occurring before funding decisions, sectarian religious or partisan political purposes, veterans affairs, deficit or debt financing. All reporting and application details, including any updates or guideline changes, are managed by the advisory committee in coordination with CFWNC staff. For technical assistance, applicants may contact Diane Crisp, Senior Grants Manager. Additional contact information includes the foundation’s main line and email, along with its physical address in Asheville, North Carolina.