Best Cherokee County Grants for Nonprofits in North Carolina

The PNC Foundation's Grow Up Great Grant is a significant initiative aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for children from birth to age 5. With a commitment of $500 million, this program focuses on improving school readiness through support in vocabulary development, social-emotional learning, and the arts. By partnering with community-based nonprofits, PNC aims to foster stronger, smarter, and healthier communities, ensuring a brighter future for the next generation.

Cherokee County, North Carolina nonprofits improving technology access and digital literacy can access funding through Dogwood Health Trust to expand digital opportunities. Grants of US $20,000 - US $500,000 support device distribution, affordable internet access, digital skills training, and supportive digital tools, with grantees joining the WNC Digital Navigator Network for shared learning and practical strategies.

Professional artists in Cherokee County, North Carolina can seek $500 - $1,000 to create new work, buy equipment or materials, or invest in professional development and promotion. Focused on artist training and development, North Carolina Arts Council funding is available to artists in Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon, and Swain Counties for projects completed by December 31, 2026.

Cherokee County, North Carolina public school districts and county governments can access funding through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to build, expand, repair, or renovate K–12 school facilities, with awards ranging from US $30,000,000 - US $50,000,000. Eligible North Carolina counties must meet property value thresholds and provide required local matching funds for capital projects.

The Youth and Young Adult Well-Being Grant from the Nantahala Health Foundation aims to enhance the health and well-being of youth and young adults aged 5 to 24 in Western North Carolina. This initiative encourages partnerships with local organizations to address critical issues, such as mental health and educational support. Grant awards can be up to $100,000, focusing on innovative projects that foster resilience and improve health outcomes for underserved populations.

The Women for Women Grant aims to enhance the lives of women and girls in Western North Carolina through collective giving. With over $5 million invested since 2006, the grant supports programs focused on self-sufficiency for economically disadvantaged women, including workforce training, mentorship, and childcare access. Organizations can receive funding ranging from $15,000 to $125,000 based on project needs, fostering equity and dismantling discriminatory systems in the community.

The Learning Links Grants provide up to $800 for public schools in Western North Carolina to implement hands-on creative learning projects. Funded by the Ben W. and Dixie Glenn Farthing Charitable Endowment Fund, these grants aim to enhance student engagement and educational outcomes. Successful applications should clearly outline project plans, budgets, and expected impact on students. This initiative encourages community involvement and aims to foster a love for learning, ultimately supporting students through to graduation.

The Melvin R. Lane Fund, managed by The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, aims to empower nonprofit organizations that provide essential services to individuals in need. Grants ranging from $90,000 to $180,000 are available over three years to help improve operations, develop partnerships, and ensure financial stability. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) entities with at least three years of operation, located in specific WNC counties, and have an operating budget of over $100,000.

The Human Services and Education Grant, offered by The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, provides up to $25,000 to support programs addressing the needs of economically disadvantaged individuals and educational initiatives. Grants aim to enhance early childhood development, K-12 education, and adult learning opportunities. Eligible organizations must serve specific WNC counties and demonstrate sustainability. However, the fund does not cover general operating expenses or support for capital projects. This grant cycle encourages impactful community-focused projects.

Cherokee County, North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking project-based support in arts and culture, conservation, education, health, human services, or youth programs can apply for Perry N. Rudnick Grants. Community Foundation of Henderson County favors collaborative, preventive initiatives that address broad community needs and have prospects for future support, excluding operating expenses and individual aid.

Cherokee County, North Carolina nonprofits and eligible educational or religious organizations offering nondiscriminatory social services can access funding and in-kind support through Caesars Foundation’s regional and property giving program. Support may benefit work in education and workforce development, social and economic equity, climate and environmental sustainability, food security, responsible gaming, or mental health initiatives serving U.S. communities.

Nonprofits, local government units, and eligible fire and rescue departments serving tribal members in Cherokee County, North Carolina can seek $500 - $1,000 for general operating or program/project support. With a mission to build community assets, North Carolina Community Foundation provides flexible annual grants through the Eastern Band of Cherokees Community Fund.

The Cherokee County Community Foundation's Unrestricted Endowment Fund, established in 1991, supports local nonprofit organizations through annual competitive grants. With total grantmaking not exceeding $2,100 and individual grants ranging from $500 to $1,000, this fund addresses changing community needs in Cherokee County. Organizations eligible for funding must be tax-exempt public charities or local government units, helping to enhance community life without discrimination. The program promotes philanthropy, making it accessible for all.

GRANT PERIOD AN

North Carolina Department of Commerce

Our mission is to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for all North Carolinians.

To do that, the North Carolina Department of Commerce works closely with local, regional, national and international organizations to propel economic, community and workforce development for the state.

Community Development Block Grant Neighborhood Revitalization Program (CDBG-NR)

The Community Development Block Grant Neighborhood Revitalization Program (CDBG-NR) will offer a non-entitlement municipality or county the opportunity to tailor a project to meet the housing and community development needs specific and most critical to their locality. The CDBG Neighborhood Revitalization Program incorporates several previous Rural Economic Development Division (REDD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs and activities such as Scattered Site Housing and Supportive Housing.

The CDBG Neighborhood Revitalization Program will support the three livability principles that help guide sustainability and resiliency throughout areas that receive funding. Regardless of the program activity or activities local governments pursue, CDBG Neighborhood Revitalization Program projects must incorporate at least one of the following three livability principles as an area of focus:

NC Neighborhood Revitalization 3 Livability Principles

• Promote equitable, affordable housing. Expand location and energy-efficient housing choices for people of all ages, incomes, races, and ethnicities to increase mobility and lower the combined cost of housing and transportation.

• Support existing communities. Target federal funding toward existing communities - through strategies like transit-oriented, mixed-use development, and land recycling - to increase community revitalization and the efficiency of public works investments and safeguard rural landscapes.

• Value communities and neighborhoods. Enhance the unique characteristics of all communities by investing in healthy, safe, and walkable neighborhoods - rural, urban, or suburban.

Graduating high school seniors in Cherokee County, North Carolina planning full-time study at an accredited U.S. college, university, community college, or vocational school can receive $1,500 scholarships for education costs. The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina’s Joanna Cornerstone Ministries Scholarship Fund also considers financial need and includes eligible students at select NC specialty, early college, or registered home schools.

The Women's Fund of North Carolina, a program of the North Carolina Community Foundation, aims to enhance the lives of women and girls across the state through grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000. This fund prioritizes organizations that address diverse needs and challenges faced by women, especially those led by marginalized populations. Grant decisions are made by a committee, and applicants are notified within 90 days after the application deadline.

The Harry W. Clarke Memorial Scholarship Programs, established by friends to honor Harry Clarke's commitment to education, offers renewable scholarships for graduating seniors from public high schools in 29 westernmost counties of North Carolina. This initiative promotes access to accredited two-year community colleges for students, including those from specific academies and home schools. The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, established in 1978, manages substantial assets to support educational opportunities and charitable endeavors in the region.

The Rural Arts Initiative Grant Program, established by the Laura Jane Musser Fund, aims to support nonprofit arts organizations in rural communities. The program encourages access to the arts through scholarships, community engagement, and innovative activities. Priority is given to organizations located in areas with populations under 20,000, ensuring that artistic opportunities are available to both adults and children. Applications are accepted for one year of funding, with potential for up to three consecutive years.

The Harry W. Clarke Award honors the legacy of Harry Wilson Clarke, a pivotal figure in educational advancement in Western North Carolina. Established in 1987, this scholarship supports graduating seniors from 29 counties, including the Qualla Boundary, who aspire to attend a four-year college in North Carolina. With a commitment to fostering local talent, the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina has awarded over $456 million in scholarships, reflecting its dedication to educational opportunities in the region.

The Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative aims to revitalize communities impacted by coal industry transitions. This initiative provides funding for projects that diversify local economies, enhance job training, and create new employment opportunities. By fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, the POWER Initiative supports strategic investments that align with regional economic development plans, ensuring a more resilient future for coal-affected areas.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Cherokee County, North Carolina can seek US $1,000 - US $5,000 to support local education, health, human services, religious, and community programs. Grants from Dub and Murray Martin Cherokee and Clay County Trust prioritize initiatives like educational support, church maintenance, senior care, children’s homes, disease relief, and domestic violence services.

The North Carolina Appalachian Regional Commission Funds support economic development across 13 states, focusing on infrastructure, workforce, and community resilience. Administered by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the program prioritizes projects that enhance local economies, particularly in areas affected by Hurricane Helene. Funding caps are set at $700,000 for construction and $300,000 for non-construction projects, with special considerations for distressed counties and workforce development initiatives.

Nonprofits, government entities, and state-recognized charities in Cherokee County, North Carolina can seek funding for firearms safety, shooting sports, hunting safety, and marksmanship programs. With a mission to promote safe and educational firearms activities, The NRA Foundation supports charitable, educational, and amateur sports competition projects that meet 501(c)(3) standards and demonstrate clear public benefit.

Nonprofit health care, education, and social service organizations serving economically poor women, children, and older adults in Cherokee County, North Carolina can seek funding for operating, program, or project expenses. Sisters of Mercy values collaborative, multicultural, evidence-based efforts that reach unserved or underserved populations and support organizations moving toward self-sufficiency.

The Educational Foundation of America (EFA) supports the Reproductive Health & Justice Grant Program to enhance access to abortion and contraception throughout the U.S., particularly in Appalachia, Alabama, and Florida. EFA funds innovative organizations that advocate for reproductive rights, provide direct support to abortion services, and leverage impact investing strategies. This commitment aims to ensure reproductive freedom, foster equity, and promote sustainability in underserved communities.

The Harold T. Southern Family Foundation Grant, established in 2014, honors Harold and Mildred Southern, promoting education and environmental conservation in North and South Carolina. The foundation supports tennis youth programs and protects natural resources in Western North Carolina. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt. Applications focus on environmental initiatives, ensuring a healthier lifestyle for future generations while fostering a love for nature and community engagement through sports.

The PNC Foundation aims to enhance the lives of individuals in local communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Their focus includes promoting educational opportunities, particularly for early childhood education, and supporting economic development initiatives. Grants are available for organizations that benefit low- to moderate-income families and enhance community growth. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster sustainability and diversity, ensuring a lasting impact on the communities they serve.