Cultural Resources Grants (General Operating Support)

Cultural Resources Grants (General Operating Support) is sponsored by The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. CFWNC awards small grants for general operating support to nonprofits in the arts within Western North Carolina.

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina | Cultural… Black Mountain - Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund The Fund for Haywood County The Fund for Mitchell County Rutherford County Endowment Black Mountain - Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund The Fund for Haywood County The Fund for Mitchell County Rutherford County Endowment Charitable Gift Annuities Charitable Remainder Trusts Nonprofit Organization Funds Investments & Financial Information Professional Advisory Committee Annual Professional Seminar Frequently Asked Questions School Resources & Scholarship Deadlines Immediate Emergency Needs Cultural Resources Recent Grants Human Services Recent Grants Natural Resources Recent Grants Investments & Financial Information News, Publications & Stories Deadline: 2nd Friday in January and July CFWNC will award small grants of $5,000 for general operating support to nonprofits in the arts through a simple online application according to the categories and schedule specified below.

Each applicant must 1) select the category that best aligns with its mission and purpose and 2) apply only once during the rotation of grant cycles.

July 2026 Communication Arts – literature and writing, radio, film, and oral histories January 2027 Arts Councils – organizations that provide funding, management and programming services for arts organizations within a defined geographic area July 2027 Craft – ceramics, glass, textile, metal or wood January 2028 Performing Arts – theatre, dance, music, and other types of performance July 2028 Visual Arts – painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, and mixed media January 2029 WNC History and Places of Cultural Significance - organizations that preserve and promote: 1) traditions, values, and lifestyles of different cultural groups to encourage understanding and respect for different WNC cultural heritages; or 2) places, which may include buildings, structures, objects, sites or entire districts that have historical, architectural, archaeological or cultural significance.

These do not include war monuments or memorials or any other sites that may promote division, disrespect, or animosity. The grant application deadlines are 5 p. m.

on the second Friday in January and July. If a deadline date is on a holiday, the deadline is 5 p. m.

the next business day. Organizations must be tax-exempt as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or public agencies. Organizations must be 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. Preference will be given to nonprofit organizations. Public agencies may be supported if few nonprofits serve a geographic area and if funds remain available.

Applications by non-arts organizations that run an arts program will not be considered. Organizations are not eligible to apply if they have already received a Cultural Resources General Operating Support Grant in any of these categories: Arts Councils, Craft, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, or WNC History and Places of Cultural Significance.

For this July 2026 cycle, the organization's mission must be directly aligned with the Communication Arts category. Private primary and secondary schools (except for projects or programs that are not directed toward the school's students or staff and that directly address community needs) and private clubs. Sectarian religious purposes.

Partisan political purposes. Activities taking place or expenses incurred before grant decisions are made. State or national organizations, unless (1) funding is sought for a portion of the program or project that directly benefits WNC, and (2) local people assume leadership of the program or project.

1. Access Community Foundation Staff Assistance If you would like to discuss your proposal or have questions regarding eligibility, contact Tara Scholtz , Vice President for Programs, by email or at 828-367-9913. 2.

Submit a Grant Application Begin the online application process to submit a grant application. For technical assistance with the online grant system, contact Diane Crisp , Senior Grants Manager, by email or at 828-367-9904. The online system notifies applicants by email upon receipt of their application.

Foundation staff evaluates grant applications taking into consideration the organizations’ priorities, availability of funds, applicants’ capabilities and benefits to the community. CFWNC distributes grant payments by electronic funds transfer (EFT) . Each grantee must have current banking information on file at CFWNC to receive payment.

Applicants must submit an online end-of-grant report verifying use of grant funds and results. Instructions will be included in the grant award letter sent by email to the head of the awarded organization, and report deadlines can be found in CFWNC’s online grant system. Grant funds must be spent in twelve months or less.

CFWNC may modify these guidelines or make exceptions to them at its sole discretion. For additional information, download Recent Grants .