Community Foundation of Western North Carolina awards $287,000 in grants

Asheville

Community Foundation of Western North Carolina awards $287,000 in grants

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) recently approved focus area grants in Cultural Resources, Education, and Natural Resources totaling $287,000. The grants aim to support various community initiatives and organizations in the region.

Cultural Resources

The Asheville Symphony (ASO) received $40,000 to help alleviate extraordinary financial hardship brought about by the closure of Thomas Wolfe Auditorium (TWA) in the summer of 2023. The funds will be directed towards musician compensation, soloist fees, and venue rental costs. ASO’s primary home for performances, TWA, was abruptly closed following a catastrophic HVAC failure, leading to unanticipated expenses and revenue deficits.

Education

Go Global NC for the Global Teachers Fellowship WNC (GTF) received $200,000 to implement and endow GTF in several rural counties in WNC. This grant will decrease the burden of annual fundraising and ensure the program’s availability to generations of teachers across WNC. The endowed model will provide in-depth professional development opportunities for teachers to equip them with experiences necessary in an interconnected world.

Natural Resources

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina (FCNC) received $47,000 to cover a portion of the acquisition costs for the permanent protection of 1,711 acres in the Pinnacle Mountains section of the South Mountains located in Rutherford County. The project aims to protect public water supply watersheds, streams, habitats, and wildlife connectivity in the area.

CFWNC’s Impact

CFWNC works with families, businesses, and nonprofits to strengthen communities through the creation of charitable funds and strategic grantmaking. The Foundation manages over 1,200 funds and facilitated $34 million in grants last year, bringing total distributions to more than $362 million since its founding in 1978.

For more information about CFWNC and its initiatives, visit www.cfwnc.org.