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

July 10, 2026 (5 p.m.) | January 8, 2027 (5 p.m.)

$5,000 per grant; one-year general operating support

Supports Western North Carolina organizations advancing arts, culture, and heritage through general operating grants in rotating cultural categories.

--- ## Description This grant program provides $5,000 general operating support grants to organizations in Western North Carolina whose missions align with designated cultural categories. The purpose is to preserve, promote, and advance the arts, culture, and heritage of the region, fostering understanding and respect for its diverse cultural heritages and significant places. Each grant cycle focuses on a different cultural category, and applicants must select the category that best fits their mission. --- ## Due Dates - July 10, 2026 (5 p.m.) — Communication Arts category (literature and writing, radio, film, oral histories) - January 8, 2027 (5 p.m.) — Arts Councils category (organizations supporting arts within a defined area) Application deadlines are always the second Friday in January and July at 5 p.m. If the date falls on a holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day. --- ## Funding Amount - $5,000 per grant for general operating support - Funds must be used within 12 months of award - Grants are awarded in rotating cultural categories; organizations may apply only once per rotation --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be a public agency. - Organizations must be located in the Qualla Boundary or one of the following Western North Carolina counties: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, or Yancey. - Organizations must be established in and serving Western North Carolina. - Preference is given to nonprofit organizations; public agencies may be considered if few nonprofits serve an area and funds remain. - Non-arts organizations running an arts program are not eligible. - Organizations that have already received a grant in any of the rotating categories are not eligible to reapply for that category. - For July 2026, only organizations whose missions directly align with the Communication Arts category may apply. **What is not funded:** - Private primary/secondary schools (except for community-focused projects), private clubs - Sectarian religious or partisan political purposes - State/national organizations unless the project directly benefits WNC and is locally led --- ## Application Process 1. **Consultation (optional):** Contact the foundation for eligibility or proposal guidance. - Tara Scholtz, Vice President for Programs: [scholtz@cfwnc.org](mailto:scholtz@cfwnc.org), 828-367-9913 2. **Online Application:** Submit via the [CFWNC online application portal](https://cfwnc.org/grants/about-grants/online-application). - For technical help: Diane Crisp, Senior Grants Manager, [crisp@cfwnc.org](mailto:crisp@cfwnc.org), 828-367-9904 3. **Review:** Applications are evaluated on organizational priorities, funding availability, applicant capability, and community benefit. 4. **Award & Payment:** Grants are paid by electronic funds transfer; current banking information must be on file. 5. **Reporting:** An online end-of-grant report is required within 12 months, with instructions provided in the award letter. --- ## Additional Information - Each organization may apply only once during the full rotation of grant categories. - Grant guidelines may be modified or exceptions made at the foundation’s discretion. - For examples of past awards and funded organizations, see [Recent Grants (PDF)](https://nmd.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wnc/documents/Initiatives/CR-GOS-grant-awards-1.2026.pdf). --- ## External Links - [Program Page](https://cfwnc.org/grants/cultural-resources) - [Online Application Portal](https://cfwnc.org/grants/about-grants/online-application) - [Recent Grants (PDF)](https://nmd.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wnc/documents/Initiatives/CR-GOS-grant-awards-1.2026.pdf) - [CFWNC Grants Directory](https://cfwnc.org/grants/grants-directory) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Title | Email | Phone | |----------------|-----------------------------|----------------------------------|--------------| | Tara Scholtz | Vice President for Programs | scholtz@cfwnc.org | 828-367-9913 | | Diane Crisp | Senior Grants Manager | crisp@cfwnc.org | 828-367-9904 | | General Info | — | info@cfwnc.org | (828) 254-4960 | ---

Cultural Resources

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