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Application Guidelines

Eligibility

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The organization must be a charitable non-profit organization that is recognized by the IRS as a 501 ( c ) 3 public charity.  A copy of the IRS determination letter is a requirement.

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Projects serving one or more of these Western North Carolina counties:

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  • Avery

  • Buncombe

  • Burke

  • Caldwell

  • Cherokee

  • Clay

  • Graham

  • Haywood

  • Henderson

  • Jackson

  • Macon

  • Madison

  • McDowell

  • Mitchell

  • Polk

  • Swain

  • Transylvania

  • Watauga

  • Yancey

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Focus Areas:
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  • Child and Youth Development

  • Environmental Education and Preservation

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​*****A detailed description of each funding area is available on the application.*****

What We Fund:

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  • Capital Campaigns/Major Rebuilding (Requests up to $200,000)

  • Minor Construction and Renovation Material Expenses (Requests up to $100,000)

  • Program Supplies or Equipment (Requests up to $50,000)

  • Non-Tangible Support (Requests up to $25,000)

 

*****We generally fund tangible items and materials to support the funding areas above.*****

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What We Will Not Fund:

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  • Renovation to rented/leased spaces

  • Political lobbying/campaigns

  • Website development, advertising/marketing, memberships

  • Consumables or one-time-usage items (i.e. clothing, marketing items, water bottles, etc.)

  • Loans or loan payoffs/deficit financing 

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How to Apply

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Our application process is online only through our grant portal. Mailed or emailed applications will not be considered. 

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The application is a 2-step process. A Letter of Interest (LOI) is the first step in our online application process.  Once reviewed, applicants will be notified about submitting a full proposal via email. A full proposal must be submitted by the dates outlined below to be considered for funding.

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Deadlines for Applying

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  • First Quarter deadline is DECEMBER 12.  Meeting will be held in February.

  • Second Quarter deadline is APRIL 10.  Meeting will be held in June.

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A full proposal must be submitted in the online system by these dates.  If submitted after the April deadline, your proposal will not be considered for funding and will be deleted.

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Children Playing

2026 Application is Closed.

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