2025 IMPACT Grants
Our goal for the 2025 IMPACT Grant cycle is to empower nonprofits, government agencies, and community organizations with funding to address the critical needs arising from Hurricane Helene and tackle ongoing challenges facing their communities.
If you have questions, please email grants@wncbridge.org or call 828.274.6159.
Application Timeline
Step 1: Complete Proposal (Deadline: February 7, 2025)
Start by reading our updated IMPACT grant guidelines and review process. Now you are ready to submit your proposal no later than February 7 by 11:00 p.m. Organizations selected to move forward will be notified by March 24 and will be provided with a link to the full grant application.
Step 2: Full Grant Application (Deadline: May 5, 2025)
Invited organizations will be asked to complete and submit our full grant application by May 5, 2025 by 11:00 p.m. If needed, we will contact you and set up a time for a phone conversation to ask any clarifying questions.
Step 3: Grant Decisions Made: (June 2025)
WNC Bridge Foundation’s Board of Directors will make final funding decisions and grant recipients will be notified.
Helene Recovery Focus Areas
Organizations must be actively involved in the long-term recovery efforts related to Hurricane Helene’s impact, specifically in the following areas:
- Basic Needs: Organizations providing essential needs to individuals in the areas of fresh food access/prepared meals, healthcare, home/property repair, and transportation.
- Mental Health: Organizations helping individuals and communities through community outreach and access to mental health services. Recovery and substance abuse focused organizations are not eligible to apply.
- Youth Development: Organizations fostering positive outcomes for children, including mental and emotional support, academic support for K-12 students, child welfare, and family support.
Guidelines
- Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations as well as municipal and county government entities.
- Award Amounts will be made in the range of $15,000 – $50,000.
- 2025 IMPACT Grants are one-year grants and do not offer multi-year funding.
- Organizations working within our Helene Recovery Focus Areas within any of the 18 counties or the Qualla Boundary of WNC.
- Our 2022-2024 IMPACT Capacity Grantees are eligible to apply.
- Click here to view the 2025 IMPACT Grant Proposal Questions.
Use of Funds
Funds may be used for direct program expenses, such as materials, staffing, and program delivery. They may also cover costs related to relief and critical services, including utilities, administrative expenses, transportation, and essential supplies needed to maintain operations and deliver services effectively.
Proposals receiving the highest consideration will:
- Align with focus areas.
- Demonstrate need and capacity for impactful service delivery.
- Present organizational readiness.
- Have the potential for long-term positive community impact.
New Online Application Portal
WNC Bridge Foundation is using a new online application portal starting on January 6, 2025.
This portal will simplify the application process. To access it, you must sign in securely with a new Blackbaud ID or use an existing Blackbaud ID if you already use Blackbaud products. Please bookmark https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/applications for easy access to your applications and requirement forms. Additionally, add noreply@yourcause.com to your safe senders list to ensure you receive all communications.
Please note that your application history will not carry over to the new portal. We recommend downloading any previous applications and reports before August 25, 2025, for your records. You can access your submitted applications by clicking here.
Click here to see former grant recipients.
If you have questions, please email grants@wncbridge.org or call 828.274.6159.
