Our Grant Guidelines

Revised June 2026


Overview:


Each year, WCMA members complete a survey of funding priorities to guide the WCMA Board in allocating available grant funds, which are raised through membership dues and donations to WCMA’s annual fundraising event. Applications submitted by the deadline and meeting all eligibility requirements are given in-depth review by a committee of WCMA members, carefully considering the application’s measurable impact on WNC residents. Available funding varies each year, and the award process is competitive.



Eligibility Requirements:


  • Only nonprofit organizations that serve Western North Carolina that are tax exempt under section 501 ©(3) of the IRS tax code are eligible to apply. 
  • Applicants must be sponsored by a WCMA member who is actively engaged as a volunteer with their organization.  Active involvement may include serving on the organization’s board or committee, volunteering time with its programs or providing professional advice.
  • National organizations are only eligible for a grant if they have a regional or local office serving Western North Carolina.  The entire grant must be used to support needs of WNC residents and must be executed by the local office with no WCMA funds going to the national headquarters.
  • Applicant must have been in existence for three full calendar years subsequent to the Formation Date indicated on IRS Form 990 (or equivalent) or the date of initial tax-exempt status as approved in an IRS 501(c) (3) letter. Exceptions may be made for previously funded WCMA grantees who have been in existence for less than 3 years. 
  • Any organization that discriminates on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, religion, national origin, physical ability or any other characteristic protected by law will not be considered. 


The applicant organization’s mission should serve one of the following categories, which correlate to the three tiers we have established in prioritizing funding:


  • Social or Healthcare Services: Programs that offer food, clothing, shelter or basic needs to underserved individuals or that provide services or support to those in need. Grant requests in this category will provide programs or services to help address the health care, food or shelter needs of low-income individuals. Programs may include general health care for underserved populations, disability or mental health support services, alcohol or substance addiction treatment services, food relief and assistance, child welfare support services, older adult services, domestic violence prevention, and associated transportation or legal services related to one of the foregoing issues. Housing related missions may address support services for low-income individuals or families or those assisting unhoused populations in navigating life transitions, finding safety and stability, and promoting independent or shelter living arrangements.


  • Education: Programs that enhance the educational success and academic achievement of students. Grant requests in this category will address youth education and development or family and parental support services such as after-school programs. Educational programs including summer camps or outdoor/environmental education should be multi-week with defined activities or curriculum and measurable objectives. Programs that are short term “experiences” for the participants, will be afforded less weight in terms of funding.


  • Natural or Cultural Resources or Animal Welfare: Programs that support the region’s rich environmental or cultural resources. Animal welfare programs that assist low-income households with costly veterinary expenses such as spay/neuter or similar type programs. Grant requests in this category will address animal welfare, arts and cultural development and enrichment, or developing/enhancing outdoor recreational resources. This category includes organizations and/or programs focused on outdoor recreation, or cultural institutions such as theater, music, art, or museums. Programs in the cultural resources category that have an educational component with defined activities or curriculum and measurable objectives will be afforded a higher rating than those without an educational component. Programs that are short term “experiences” for the participants, will be afforded less weight in terms of funding. Animal welfare programs should assist low-income pet owners with costs of pet care or a similar type program.



Funding Restrictions:


Applications for the following requests are ineligible for funding:


  • Purchase of Land and Buildings
  • Endowments
  • Sectarian purposes
  • Rental Assistance Programs
  • Deficit funding
  • Private Schools
  • Private Clubs
  • Sports teams
  • Workshops
  • Re-granting organizations (an organization that is not executing the specific program but is using the money to fund another nonprofit) unless specifically approved by the WCMA board.


Allowable Costs:


  • Scholarships or internships related to the program objectives.
  • Salaries and other administrative expenses used to implement the specific program funded by WCMA.
  • Building expansion or improvements, equipment, leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures, tools and materials are eligible expenditures if considered as part of a program and improvements are fully completed within the calendar year following the date of grant acceptance.
  • The grant request may not exceed 75% of the project’s budget or 30% of the organization's total annual budget.



Grant Objectives:


For all grantees project proposals should demonstrate:


  • Specifically stated objectives that include measurable outcomes and note how success will be achieved and measured.
  • An identified need that will be met by the grant.
  • A significant impact on the community and an identification of the number of WNC residents impacted by the grant proposal.
  • Evidence of sustainability of the project including efforts to create new funding streams or collaboration with similar organizations to continue objectives of the project.
  • Financial sustainability for the grantee organization with adequate management/oversight by a Board of Directors.



Additional Information:


  • Organizations must provide a copy of their most recent IRS 501(c)(3) letter, IRS Form 990,  and a list of its Board of Directors.
  • During the application review process, additional information and/or a site visit may be requested by a member of the WCMA Grants Review Committee.
  • Based on the amount of money we have in our general fund each year, WCMA may not be able to fund all applicants or to provide the full amount requested by each applicant. Grant awards are approved by the WCMA Board.
  • Funds granted by WCMA must be used within the calendar year following the date of grant acceptance. Funds may not be carried over to another year or another program without the express written approval of WCMA.
  • Grant requests may not exceed the limits noted below. Focus area funding caps for 2026:

o  Social and Healthcare Services - $30,000

o  Education - $15,000

o  Natural / Cultural Resources / Animal Welfare - $10,000



For more information, please  Click Here for our Grant Process Details and Click Here for our Grants FAQ.