The Fund for Haywood County, managed by The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, provides grants of up to $7,500 to support charitable initiatives benefiting communities in Haywood County, North Carolina. Projects are evaluated on their potential to deliver the greatest benefit to the community, with an emphasis on specific initiatives rather than general operating support. Grants are generally distributed by the end of March and should typically be utilized within 10 months of award.

Eligible applicants include qualified 501(c)(3) organizations, governmental entities, educational institutions, and religious organizations serving Haywood County. Organizations must already be established in or serving the county, and prior recipients must have submitted end-of-grant reports for previous awards. Only one application per organization per year is allowed, including those using a fiscal sponsor. The fund does not support scholarships, annual giving campaigns, endowment funds, capital campaigns, deficit funding, sectarian religious purposes, partisan political purposes, or one-time events like festivals, exhibits, or fundraisers. Activities or expenses incurred before grant decisions are made are also ineligible.

An additional opportunity under the Fund is the Mib and Phil Medford Endowment Fund, which provides grants for beautification and public amenities within the Town of Waynesville or its extra-territorial jurisdictions. Medford Fund grants favor projects taking place on Waynesville property or those offering matching support. These grants must also be completed within one year of receipt. Interested applicants should contact Senior Program Officer Tara Scholtz for eligibility confirmation and access to the application.

The application deadline for both grant opportunities is 5 p.m. on the first Friday in February. Applications are submitted online, with technical assistance available through the foundation’s Senior Grants Manager. Proposals are reviewed for clarity, completeness, and alignment with eligibility requirements before being evaluated by an advisory committee. Grant disbursements are made via electronic funds transfer, and recipients must ensure current banking details are on file.

Grantees are required to submit an end-of-grant report documenting the use of funds and outcomes. Additional reports or site visits may be requested. Modifications to guidelines or exceptions may be made by the Fund’s advisory committee in consultation with foundation staff. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Tara Scholtz for questions about proposals and eligibility.