OVERVIEW: This North Carolina community funder supports county nonprofits in the areas of arts and culture, civic affairs, conservation, education, health and human services. There are other funds held here with their own focuses and application deadlines.
IP TAKE: There are four types of grants grant seekers can apply for at CFHC, but education is a common thread through all of them. This community foundation covers many rural areas and has a surprising number of funds.
PROFILE: The Community Foundation of Henderson County (CFHC) is located in Hendersonville, North Carolina, and has over 570 different charitable funds. It seeks to help “people who care make lasting contributions to causes that matter.” It was established in 1982 by 14 local leaders who developed a couple of scholarship funds.
This foundation awards both grants and scholarships, with competitive grants issued four times per year. Funding areas include arts and culture, civic affairs, conservation, education, health, and human services. It prioritizes proposals that address local poverty, public access to the arts, access to health and human services, and overall growth in the county. Applications are due March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1.
Perry N. Rudnick Fund grants support groups in Buncombe, Henderson, Polk, and Transylvania counties. Funding priorities include arts and culture, conservation, education, health, youth, and human services. Letters of Intent are due January 1 and July 1.
Fletcher Community Fund grants focus on the town of Fletcher and support projects rather than general operating support. Funding priorities include arts and culture, education, historic preservation, and civic activities. Applications are due April 1 and October 1.
The Women in Need of Support (WINS) accepts applications on a periodic basis upon announcement. This fund has been around since 1989 to help women reach their goals and receive education and training. These grants also help women during times of crisis.
Community Grants address a broad range of topics and are designated for the support of “the community's changing opportunities, needs and challenges over time.”
Field of Interest Grants address the specific interests of funders and may change over time. Common areas of interests for grants stemming from this program include aminal welfare, arts and culture, civic and community, conservation, education, health, human services and religion.
At the end of a recent fiscal year, the funder had over $87.7 million in assets, with 85 percent of those assets permanently endowed. Nearly $3 million in grants is typically awarded to nonprofits and scholarship recipients. For information about past grantmaking, see the foundation’s recent annual reports.
This funder runs open grant applications for its various programs, but guidelines, eligibility and due dates vary by program; grantseekers should read this information carefully before submitting materials. The foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors, and general inquiries can be directed to the staff at info@CFHCforever.org or 828-697-6224. The foundation’s address is 401 North Main Street, Suite 300, Hendersonville, North Carolina 28792. Keep up with foundation news and events on the funder’s website.
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