Valley nonprofits urged to apply for endowment fund grant

The Black Mountain – Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund (BMSVEF), an affiliate of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, is accepting applications for its spring grant cycle from nonprofits serving the Swannanoa Valley.  The grants will range in size from $2,500 - $10,000, and will focus on projects and programs relating to health and wellness, education, cultural and natural resources and people in need. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2019.  The online application can be accessed at cfwnc.org/Nonprofits/GrantPrograms.

A group of local residents established the BMSVEF in 1999 as a means of inspiring philanthropy and strengthening charitable organizations in the Swannanoa Valley.  Since its founding, the Fund has made 110 grants totaling $930,440.  Recent grant recipients include Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry, Swannanoa Community Council, Bounty & Soul, Friends of the Black Mountain Library, Meals on Wheels, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, and the Swannanoa Valley Museum.

“Through its grant program, the Endowment Fund has had a major impact on the quality of life for residents of the Swannanoa Valley,” said BMSVEF Board Chair Chip Craig. “The Fund has grown considerably since it began in 1999, but we still have to turn away very worthy grant applicants every year. The need for continued contributions to sustain and grow the Fund remains high.” 

The BMSVEF is administered by an all-volunteer Advisory Board, and is supported through tax-deductible donations.  To make a gift, donate online at cfwnc.org or by mail at Black Mountain – Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund, c/o CFWNC, 4 Vanderbilt Park Drive, Suite 300, Asheville, NC 28803.  Contributions of any size are welcome, and will enable the Fund to support more Swannanoa Valley services and programs with local dollars.

For more information about the Endowment Fund’s spring grant cycle, contact Virginia Dollar at The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, 828-367-9907.