IMPACT Grants

WNC Bridge Foundation’s IMPACT Grant application process is closed and is not expected to open until 2025. However, other opportunities for IMPACT funding may become available, and WNC Bridge will make all announcements on our website and e-newsletter. To sign up for our e-newsletter, email grants@wncbridge.org.

In July 2022, WNC Bridge Foundation awarded 51 organizations with IMPACT Capacity Building Grants. WNC Bridge will be partnering with the selected grantees for three years and, by the end of 2024, will have invested over $6.7 million in IMPACT funding. These capacity grants will help in the following areas:

  • leadership development
  • fundraising capacity
  • evaluation capacity
  • communications
  • technology
  • programmatic support

Organizations that were selected for a 2022 IMPACT Grant have met all or one of these criteria: will provide services throughout WNC, are led by or serve Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), have annual budgets no more than $1.5M, and work in one of WNC Bridge’s three focus groups areas. In addition, the organizations will address one of the following NCIOM Healthy NC 2030 health indicators:

  • Individuals below 200% FPL
  • Unemployment
  • Short-term suspensions
  • Adverse childhood experiences
  • Third-grade reading proficiency
  • Access to exercise opportunities
  • Limited access to healthy food
  • Severe housing problems
  • Teen birth rate
  • Uninsured
  • Primary Care Clinicians
  • Early prenatal care
  • Infant mortality
  • Life expectancy
  • Suicide prevention

For questions or to be added to our e-newsletter list, email grants@wncbridge.org.

Our Focus Areas:

Elder Care

With a growing number of older adults in WNC, we support local non-profits that address this population’s health, social and physical needs through providing services for medical purposes and social interaction. We prioritize funding non-profit partners that address the social determinants of health for older adults to increase quality of life, wellbeing, and their sense of community.

Elder Care: Portfolio Goals

The organizations we support are working to improve the quality of life for individuals age 60 and over through:

  • Increasing access to essential needs such as food, shelter and utilities.
  • Minimizing barriers to accessing quality healthcare services.
  • Providing opportunities for older adults to be socially active in their communities.
Wellness Support

WNC Bridge invests in programs that respond to the urgent needs of its communities and connect individuals to the care they need to improve overall health outcomes, well-being and quality of life. Through collaboration with local non-profit partners, we provide funding for emergency assistance which allow people to thrive in their daily lives.

Wellness Support: Portfolio Goals

The organizations we support are working to:

  • Provide emergency assistance for safe housing, food, utilities, reliable transportation, medical care and equipment and clothing to improve resilience for individuals and families facing unexpected hardships.
  • Invest in programs that advance an individuals’ opportunity to live fully.
Youth Development

By being a catalyst for change in WNC, we support children and youth initiatives that have a long-term impact on the health of our communities. We fund non-profit organizations working to remove barriers that prevent youth from reaching their full potential. By centering our portfolio on improving outcomes for youth, we will be making a difference today and investing in a better tomorrow for all of WNC.

Youth Development: Portfolio Goals

The organizations we support are working to:

  • Improve literacy for youth ages Pre-K through 8th grade by seeing a measurable increase in reading ability.
  • Improve socio-emotional learning outcomes for youth. Note, we encourage camps that are providing socio-emotional support to apply for our NOW Grant, instead of going through the IMPACT Grant process.
  • Improve academic outcomes for youth by providing additional academic supports and enrichment programs.
If you work with a non-profit and have questions, please email grants@wncbridge.org or call 828.274.6159.