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

February 2027

Up to $5,000 per grant; typical total annual funding ~$55,000; funds must be spent within 10 months of award.

Supports charitable projects that improve quality of life and address community needs in McDowell County, NC.

--- ## Description The McDowell Endowment, administered by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, provides annual grants to nonprofit, governmental, educational, and religious organizations for projects that benefit the residents and communities of McDowell County, North Carolina. The program prioritizes initiatives that demonstrate significant and lasting community impact, with a focus on addressing pressing local needs. Applications are evaluated for alignment with the Endowment’s priorities, the applicant’s capacity, and the potential for measurable community benefit. --- ## Due Dates - **Next anticipated deadline:** February 2027 (full application due by 5 p.m. on February 1; if this falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is 5 p.m. the next business day) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - **Maximum grant amount:** Up to $5,000 per project - **Typical total annual funding:** Approximately $55,000 awarded across multiple projects each year - **Grant period:** Funds should generally be spent within 10 months of award (funds available by end of March) --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be: - Qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations - Governmental, educational, or religious organizations - Organizations must serve or be established in McDowell County, NC - Only one application per organization (or fiscal sponsor) per year - All prior grant reports for previous McDowell Endowment awards must be submitted before applying again - Projects must benefit McDowell County communities and residents **Not funded:** - Annual giving campaigns, endowment funds, deficit funding/debt retirement - Sectarian religious or partisan political purposes - Private schools (unless the project is not directed toward their own students/staff and directly addresses community needs) - Private clubs, or activities/expenses before grant decisions are made --- ## Application Process 1. **Discuss your proposal (optional):** - Contact program staff to discuss eligibility or proposal details 2. **Submit application:** - Complete the [online application](https://cfwnc.org/grants/about-grants/online-application) by the anticipated deadline - Only one application per organization per year 3. **Review process:** - Applications are screened for completeness and eligibility - Advisory committee evaluates proposals based on priorities, need, and impact 4. **Award notification and payment:** - Grants are typically announced in March; funds distributed via electronic transfer - Grantees must have current banking information on file 5. **Reporting:** - Submit an online end-of-grant report as instructed in the award letter - Additional reports or site visits may be required --- ## Additional Information - The Endowment may modify guidelines or make exceptions in consultation with CFWNC staff - View [recent grants](https://cfwnc.org/affiliates/mcdowell-endowment/recent-grants) for examples of funded projects --- ## External Links - [Program Page & Guidelines](https://cfwnc.org/grants/the-mcdowell-endowment) - [Online Application Portal](https://cfwnc.org/grants/about-grants/online-application) - [Recent Grants](https://cfwnc.org/affiliates/mcdowell-endowment/recent-grants) - [CFWNC Grants Directory](https://cfwnc.org/grants/grants-directory) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role | Email | Phone | |-------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------------|--------------| | Melissa Edgington | Development Associate | edgington@cfwnc.org | 828-367-9917 | | Jeremy Lett | Program Officer | lett@cfwnc.org | 828-785-4743 | | Diane Crisp | Senior Grants Manager | crisp@cfwnc.org | 828-367-9904 | | General Inquiries | - | info@cfwnc.org | (828) 254-4960 | ---

The McDowell Endowment

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