Ramble Charitable Fund

About Ramble Charitable Fund Grants

The Ramble Charitable Fund (RCF) was created to improve the quality of life in designated Buncombe County communities by supporting education, economic development, health care and other projects that promote community development like the arts and environment. RCF provides grants from $2,500 to $7,500 for nonprofit organizations and public agencies for programmatic needs, capital campaigns and operational expenses.

 Deadline to Apply

October 1 with funding decisions announced in November.

Eligibility

Nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt public charities under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code and public agencies are eligible to apply for these grants. Organizations must be located in or serve designated areas of Buncombe County.

The area is:

• Northern Boundary: Swannanoa and French Broad River

• Eastern Boundary: Blue Ridge Parkway from I-40 to Sweeten Creek Road, then Sweeten Creek Road to Mills Gap Road to Henderson County Boundary

• Southern Boundary: Henderson County Line from Mills Gap Road to Blue Ridge Parkway

• Western Boundary: I-26 to Blue Ridge Parkway, then Blue Ridge Parkway to Henderson County Line

 Things to consider before applying

• Requests that exhibit the greatest community benefit, which include education, economic development, health care and projects promoting community development like the arts and quality of life issues, will be given the highest consideration.

• Projects should be timely and completed within one year of receiving the grant.

• Requests that will have the greatest impact will receive the highest priority. Consider the number of people served, significance of work, track record of group and potential for positive outcomes.

• Routine, annual requests for operating funds may fall to a lower priority based on the criteria above.

 Funding Restrictions

Projects should benefit the designated Buncombe County communities and not primarily the Ramble community and its residents.

 How to Apply for a Ramble Charitable Fund grant

  1.      Access Community Foundation Staff Assistance

The staff of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina is available and eager to assist you as you develop your proposal. Contact Virginia Dollar at (828) 254-4960 x123 or by e-mail: dollar@cfwnc.org

2.      Submit a Ramble Charitable Fund Application

Please download the application forms below:

 RCF Full Application

Common Budget form & Narrative

Common Board List

Grantseekers must e-mail a completed application to the Foundation office by 5 p.m. on the date of the deadline. The Community Foundation will also need a hard copy of the application within a week of the e-mail deadline. Applicants are notified of the receipt of their application within two weeks after the deadline. If you do not receive such notification, please contact Virginia Dollar at the Foundation's offices.

Applications are screened for completeness, clarity and compliance with eligibility requirements. Grant proposals are evaluated and approved by the Ramble Charitable Fund Committee, and funding decisions are announced within two months of the application date.