The McDowell Endowment, administered by The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, aims to enhance the quality of life in McDowell County, North Carolina. This is achieved by fostering charitable giving and supporting initiatives that benefit local communities and residents. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for charitable purposes, with an emphasis on projects that demonstrate the most significant potential community impact.

Organizations eligible to apply for funding include qualified 501(c)(3) entities, governmental bodies, educational institutions, and religious organizations serving McDowell County. Applicants must be established within or actively serving the county. Additionally, organizations must have completed all required end-of-grant reports for any prior funding from the McDowell Endowment. Only one application per organization is permitted each year, including applications submitted through a fiscal sponsor.

Grant funding cannot be used for annual giving campaigns, endowment funds, debt retirement, deficit funding, sectarian religious activities, partisan political purposes, private school activities (unless addressing community needs), or private clubs. Expenses incurred or activities conducted before grant decisions are made are also ineligible for funding. If the grant benefits an organization other than the applicant, a letter of endorsement from the beneficiary organization is required.

Applications must be submitted through the Community Foundation’s online grant system by 5:00 p.m. on February 1. If this date falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is extended to 5:00 p.m. the next business day. For questions about eligibility or the application process, applicants can contact the foundation’s staff. Applications are reviewed for completeness, clarity, and alignment with eligibility requirements before being evaluated by the Endowment’s advisory committee. The committee considers the alignment with priorities, fund availability, organizational capacity, and the project's potential community benefits.

Grant funds are disbursed by electronic funds transfer, and recipients must ensure that current banking information is on file with the foundation. Funds are typically made available by the end of March and should be used within 10 months of the award. Recipients must submit an end-of-grant report, including details on the use of funds and project outcomes, via the foundation's online system. Additional reports or site visits may also be required.

For assistance with the application process, applicants can contact Virginia Dollar, Senior Program Officer, or Diane Crisp, Senior Grants Manager. Detailed guidelines, deadlines, and reporting instructions are included in the grant award letter sent to successful applicants. The Endowment’s advisory committee reserves the right to modify the grant guidelines or make exceptions in consultation with the foundation staff.