Affiliate Funds
Black Mountain - Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund Cashiers Community Fund The Fund For Haywood County Highlands Community Fund The McDowell Endowment The Fund for Mitchell County Rutherford County Endowment Transylvania Endowment The Yancey Fund
Women for Women
Browse Affiliates Funds
Black Mountain - Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund Cashiers Community Fund The Fund For Haywood County Highlands Community Fund The McDowell Endowment The Fund for Mitchell County Rutherford County Endowment Transylvania Endowment The Yancey Fund
mountain fog
CFWNC's Impact

Preserving the Beauty of WNC

People have always been drawn to the mountains of Western North Carolina (WNC). Today, WNC is home to a growing and diversifying network of cities, small towns and rural communities that depend on its natural areas. These assets define our sense of place and directly align with CFWNC’s vision of a vibrant and equitable Western North Carolina where all people can find opportunity and enjoy the region’s many resources.

Donate to Support the Fund for the Environment See Recent Grants

How It Works

Eligible organizations must be: (1) tax-exempt as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, public agencies or faith communities; and (2) located in the Qualla Boundary or one of the following counties in Western North Carolina: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania or Yancey. Organizations must already be established in and serving Western North Carolina.

Continuing its Natural Resources work, CFWNC will focus on a “return to what was” or “protecting what is” by considering proposals that address the following areas:

  • Water Resources: Water Quality, Dam Removal, Stream Restoration
  • Land & Water: Conservation, Wildlife Diversity, Climate Resilience
  • Land Resources: Invasive Species Removal, Native Species Restoration, Forest Management

Preference will be given to projects or programs that serve or benefit multiple counties.

If an organization is located in Haywood, Buncombe or Madison counties, potential applicants may also consider the Pigeon River Fund grant program.

Additional eligibility must be determined in consultation with Senior Program Officer Tara Scholtz. Contact her at 828-367-9913 or by email to discuss your proposal. A limited number of opportunities are available and may be invited as often as quarterly or until all available funds have been awarded for that year. If an application is competitive, she will provide you with a code to access the application in our online system and provide a deadline for submission.

More Ways You Can Get Involved

Review Recent Grants

Want to know more? Contact Tara Scholtz

Senior Program Officer

By email or call 828-367-9913

Email Tara