WNC Community Enhancement grants will be awarded to qualified charitable organizations or eligible public agencies to fund projects in downtowns or commercial corridors or districts that enhance physical appearance and pedestrian experience.
Donor Name: The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina
State: North Carolina
County: Selected Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/10/2024
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Priority will be given to projects located in rural or other under-resourced areas. Generally, the Foundation will award grants of up to $10,000 for projects not exceeding a total cost of $50,000. The Foundation may make exceptions to these limits at its discretion.

Projects should be completed within one year of the award.
An eligible organization may only submit one application per year.

Project Eligibility
Funded projects will be a “stand-alone” project rather than a small part of a larger and longer-term project. CFWNC anticipates that most approved projects will fall under one of the following broad categories: pedestrian/multi-modal improvements; beautification; infrastructure; or economic activities.
Examples may include:

Pedestrian/Multi-Modal Improvements – pedestrian signals, decorative crosswalk treatments, shade structures, pedestrian refuges/bump-outs, planters, benches, bicycle racks, parklets
Beautifications – paint, plants/landscaping, public art, awnings, power washing, picnic tables, wayfinding signs, flags/banners, educational displays, trash receptacles
Infrastructure – public access (steps/piers/walkways), lighting, permeable pavers, stormwater management
Economic Activities – outdoor markets, food truck parking

Eligibility Criteria
Organizations must be: (1) tax-exempt organizations 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.
For more information, visit CFWNC.