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WFBR Grant Program
Since our establishment, the Women's Fund has donated over $2.1 million to local nonprofits as part of our ongoing commitment to the annual grants cycle.

The Women's Fund of Blue Ridge is dedicated to supporting non-profit and community-based organizations that implement projects benefiting women and girls in Ashe, Avery, and Watauga Counties. Through our annual grants cycle, we distribute proceeds from our special events and operating funds to these qualifying organizations.

Programs

The WFBR believes that all women and girls have the right to equality, safety, opportunity, and self-determination in every aspect of their lives. We recognize our role as a leader in the community by working to achieve these principles through grantmaking.

Typically, grant awards range from $1,500 – $15,000.  

Proposals must meet a local need related to one or more of the WFBR Focus Areas below:

Education

Increasing individual knowledge is a powerful tool. Funded programs should strive to use creative solutions that are sustainable and help women and girls further their education.

Human Services

Providing direct services to women and girls is critical in helping them thrive. Funded programs should provide services that can be tracked over the grant funding cycle and show how the program is directly benefiting women and girls.

Health and Wellness

Access to affordable medical care is critical. Funded programs should focus on health and wellness programs for women and girls that have measurable outcomes.

Empowerment

Funded programs should invest in the growth and development of women and girls and deliver meaningful, measurable, and lasting outcomes.
"If I had to tell anyone anything about Mountain Alliance’s Leadership Initiative for Female Teens (LIFT), it would be to go on a LIFT trip whenever you get the chance. Over the course of three years, I’ve gotten the opportunity to go on numerous LIFT trips, and every single one has been an absolute blast. From writing things we appreciated about ourselves and others to going hatchet throwing and ziplining, there have been so many cool opportunities I've gotten to have because of this program. One of my personal favorite trips we went on was a trip to the Whitewater Center. There was a zipline there, and I was absolutely terrified to try it. I had a fear of heights and was scared to go near the thing. But I knew I wanted to try it, so everyone on the trip was encouraging me, one of my friends was telling me about how "cool" I would look, and I felt so supported that I just went for it. I was absolutely terrified while zipping towards the other side, but it was so much fun and everyone was yelling support for me while I was on the line. It's little moments like that that make LIFT, and Mountain Alliance as an organization, so special."
Alex Edgerton
Alex EdgertonMountain Alliance
At Crossnore, we live by the motto, "Once a Crossnore kid, always a Crossnore kid." The following testimony was shared by a terrific "Crossnore kid" who lived on our Avery Campus from 2015 until 2018 when she was adopted: "I can honestly say that my time at Crossnore was some of the best experiences of my childhood. I learned so much about myself, my experiences, and what I truly wanted in life. If it wasn't for Crossnore and everyone in my life while I was there, I wouldn't be where I am today."
Crossnore Communities for Children

How to Apply

Women's Fund of the Blue Ridge Grants

Who is Eligible?

Any 501(c)3 organization or government entity which provides program or services that benefit women and girls who live in Ashe, Avery or Watauga Counties.

Special Consideration is given to proposals which demonstrate collaboration with other non-profits and long-term sustainability.

The Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge will not consider requests from any organization or government entity that discriminates on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation or gender in any of its activities or operations.

The Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge (WFBR) makes grants in accordance with the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Fund, that do not jeopardize the Foundation’s status as a tax exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3).

Therefore, the WFBR does not make grants to:

  • Political organizations, partisan organization or those supporting specific candidates or legislation.
  • Religious organizations (churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship), or other organizations primarily promoting religious purposes.

Other faith-based, community service organizations may be considered eligible if their programs:

  • Are open to all individuals in the community regardless of religious belief;
  • Serve a secular purpose, such as a food pantry, homeless shelter, or an education program;
  • Do not require participation in prayer, worship, or other religious activities as a condition of receiving service(s) offered; and
  • Do not use the individual donation or resulting match for religious purposes.

Background and Purpose:

Each year the WFBR distributes proceeds from our special events and operating funds to non- profit, community-based organizations, that develop and implement projects benefiting women and girls living in Ashe, Avery and Watauga Counties. Typically, grant awards range from $1,500 – $15,000.

Multi-year grants are not available. Grant funds are intended to be used in the year awarded and cannot be applied to more than 25% of the operating expenses for the program being funded.

From year to year, we do not know how much we will have for grants and there are times when we are not able to fund all applications. There is also no guarantee that receipt of funding one year, will result in future funding.

Apply For A Grant

Grant Timeline

Grant Timeline and Application Guidelines

Each year the WFBR distributes a portion of the proceeds from membership and special events to non-profit, community-based organizations, that develop and implement projects benefiting women and girls living in Ashe, Avery, and Watauga counties.
 
Below are some key dates for the current grant cycle:
 

The 2025 grant application availability window will open Thursday, August 1, 2024 through Monday, September 9, 2024. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

1). We have streamlined our application process to make it easier to complete. This year’s grant application can be submitted electronically utilizing a Google Form.

Please note: We will no longer ask you to submit a separate copy of grant applications via email or hard copy. However, we ask that you continue to embed the following documents within the application form:

    • Operational budget for your organization.
    • Program-specific budget outlining what grant money will be used for.
    • List of current Board of Directors.
    • Copy of your most recent 990.
    • Proof of nonprofit status.
    • Signed Grant Attestation Form.

2). Since we no longer require a written copy of your grant submission, we have added a Grant Attestation Form to be filled out by the Executive Director or Officer of your organization

3). The Committee will review applications from September through October.  The WFBR may have to offer funding in a different amount than requested.

4). Applicants will be notified in November. The decisions of the Committee are final.

5). Grant funding will be awarded before the end of the year.  There will be an awards reception (date TBA).

6). Grants will also be published in an email newsletter, on the WFBR website, and communicated by email to the membership.

Apply For A Grant


2025 Grantees

Read about our 2025 grantees and all of the good work they are doing with the grants awarded to them below.

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