[Community Foundation of Western North Carolina](https://cfwnc.org)

March 2027 (full application, projected)

Typical awards: $2,500–$10,000; total recent annual funding ~$120,000; 10-month grant period

Supports innovative charitable projects in health, education, culture, natural resources, and human services for the Swannanoa Valley community.

--- ## Description The Black Mountain-Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund provides grants to support innovative projects and programs that benefit the Swannanoa Valley (Owen School District) in areas including health and wellness, education, cultural and natural resources, and human services. The Fund aims to inspire philanthropy and strengthen charitable organizations addressing changing needs and opportunities in the local community. Funding supports programmatic needs, equipment and technology, and capital needs, with an emphasis on new initiatives and community innovation. --- ## Due Dates - **Next anticipated deadline:** March 2027 (full application, projected; due by 5:00 p.m. — if March 1 falls on a weekend/holiday, deadline is the next business day) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - **Typical grant size:** $2,500–$10,000 per award - **Total recent annual funding:** Approximately $120,000–$125,000 distributed per cycle - **Grant period:** Funds are available by end of April; should be spent within 10 months of award --- ## Eligibility - Grants are awarded to qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, governmental entities, educational institutions, and religious organizations serving Black Mountain and the Swannanoa Valley (Owen School District). - Organizations must be established in or serving the Black Mountain-Swannanoa Valley area. - Only one application per organization (including organizations acting as fiscal sponsor) per year. - All prior grant recipients must have submitted required end-of-grant reports. - Projects benefiting organizations other than the applicant require a letter of endorsement from the beneficiary organization. **Ineligible requests include:** - Annual giving campaigns, endowment funds, deficit funding or debt retirement - Sectarian religious purposes, partisan political purposes - Private primary/secondary schools (unless the project directly addresses community needs and is not directed toward the school’s students or staff) - Private clubs - Activities/expenses incurred before grant decisions are made --- ## Application Process 1. **Consultation:** Applicants may contact the Senior Program Officer to discuss proposals or eligibility. 2. **Submission:** Complete the [online application](https://cfwnc.org/grants/about-grants/online-application). 3. **Review:** Applications are screened for completeness and eligibility; an advisory committee evaluates proposals based on priorities, capacity, and community benefit. 4. **Notification:** Applicants are notified by email upon receipt and after decisions. 5. **Grant Payment:** Disbursed via electronic funds transfer; current banking info must be on file. 6. **Reporting:** Grantees must submit an online end-of-grant report; instructions and deadlines are provided in the award letter. --- ## Additional Information - Requests for continued support or general operating support are given lower priority. - Advisory committee may modify guidelines or make exceptions in consultation with foundation staff. - See [recent grants](https://cfwnc.org/affiliates/black-mountain-swannanoa-valley-endowment-fund/recent-grants) for examples of funded projects. --- ## External Links - [Program Details & Guidelines](https://cfwnc.org/grants/black-mountain-swannanoa-valley-endowment-fund) - [Online Application Portal](https://cfwnc.org/grants/about-grants/online-application) - [Recent Grants](https://cfwnc.org/affiliates/black-mountain-swannanoa-valley-endowment-fund/recent-grants) - [Community Foundation of Western North Carolina](https://cfwnc.org) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role | Email | Phone | |-----------------------|--------------------------|------------------------------|---------------| | Virginia Dollar | Senior Program Officer | [dollar@cfwnc.org](mailto:dollar@cfwnc.org) | 828-367-9907 | | Diane Crisp | Senior Grants Manager | [crisp@cfwnc.org](mailto:crisp@cfwnc.org) | 828-367-9904 | | Melissa Edgington | Development Associate | [edgington@cfwnc.org](mailto:edgington@cfwnc.org) | 828-367-9917 | | General Inquiries | - | [info@cfwnc.org](mailto:info@cfwnc.org) | (828) 254-4960|

Black Mountain-Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund

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