Human Services and Education Grant Cycle

Human Services and Education Grant Cycle is sponsored by The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC). This combined grant cycle supports programs and projects that address the needs of economically disadvantaged people in Western North Carolina (Human Services) and initiatives in early childhood development, K-12, and adult education (Education).

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina | Human Services… 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 Human Services and Education Deadline: Last Friday in August Although Human Services and Education are distinct focus areas of grantmaking by The Community Foundation, each fall CFWNC also awards grants up to $25,000 in a combined Human Services and Education grant cycle.

Human Services grants support programs and projects that address the needs of people in our mountain communities who are disadvantaged economically. Education grants support early childhood development, K-12, and adult education in Western North Carolina in the subject areas specified below.

Human Services Objectives Continue, replicate, or expand a proven program or project that provides direct services for people who are economically disadvantaged Purchase equipment, supplies, or materials that provide an immediate and substantial benefit to organizations providing direct services to people who are economically disadvantaged Expand access and reduce barriers to high‑quality learning through programs that increase the availability, affordability, and accessibility of infant/toddler care, nontraditional‑hour childcare, and out‑of‑school learning Improve academic quality through evidence‑based instruction and interventions in early literacy and math, STEM, absenteeism reduction, and adult credentialing Provide comprehensive student services and support learning success through wraparound supports addressing academic, social‑emotional, developmental, and logistical needs Strengthen and develop a skilled, stable, and well‑supported education workforce through recruitment, retention, professional development, and alignment with employer needs Support programs aligning workforce training with employer needs through sector-based pathways to industry-recognized, stackable credentials Applications are due by 5 p.

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on the last Friday in August CFWNC will announce decisions in November or early December Projects must begin after December 1 Projects should be completed within a year of their commencement Organizations are eligible to apply for Human Services and Education grants if they: for Human Services grants: have missions or programs focused on serving people who are disadvantaged economically for Education grants: provide services outlined under Education Objectives above are financially sustainable are tax-exempt as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or governmental entities are located in and serving one or more of these WNC counties: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey and the Qualla Boundary did not receive a Human Services and Education grant during the most recent fall grant cycle and do not have an open Human Services and Education grant, i.e., have submitted the final report general operating expenses (except for costs directly related to the proposed project or program) capital support for new buildings or major expansions recreational programs and equipment, including playgrounds 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 festivals or one-time events such as exhibits, performances or fundraisers activities taking place or expenses incurred before grant decisions are made sectarian religious purposes partisan political purposes endowment, deficit funding or debt retirement 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 lead the program or project 1.

Access Community Foundation Staff Assistance If you would like to discuss your proposal or have questions regarding eligibility, contact (for Human Services applications) Virginia Dollar , Senior Program Officer, by email or at 828-367-9907; (for Education applications) Jeremy Lett , Program Officer, by email or at 828-785-4743. Begin the online application process to submit an application.

Organizations may submit only one funding proposal per grant cycle. 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.

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. We may also require additional reports or site visits. Review November 2025 Education Grants Review November 2025 Human Services Grants