Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation
To nurture and sustain a local news ecosystem, starting with direct support to independent, local print and digital media publications providing relevant local news.
Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation at a glance
In short: Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation gave $107K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $107K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $106,546
- +26.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $106,546
- +26.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $106,546
- Total assets
- $34,770
- +443.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Morganton Media Group LLC ($107K).
Grant Size Distribution
4 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 2 grants of 4 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $84K (2024) to $115K (2023). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $107K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Morganton Media Group LLC Morganton, NC | Direct Support to the Publication of 'The Paper' | $106,546 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,770 | $184,704 | $155,487 | $106,546 | 1 | $17 |
| 2024 | $6,396 | $55,767 | $151,713 | $84,000 | 1 | $15 |
| 2023 | $100,406 | $217,476 | $117,070 | $115,000 | 2 | $36 |
About Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Morganton, NC. IRS filing data is available from 2023 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $35K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $107K. Net investment income was $17.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation is led by Barbara Wetsig-Lynam, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Barbara Wetsig-Lynam
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$53K (2024) → $30K (2025)
Caroline Avery
Interim President
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Vannoppen
Chairman & Secretary
Vice President & Secretary → Chairman & Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Miller
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Allen Vannoppen (2023–2024) — Former President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2023–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $30K, to Barbara Wetsig-Lynam (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation
How much does Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation give each year?
Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation gave $107K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $84K across 1 grant.
How large is Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation?
Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation reported $35K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $185K.
What is Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation?
Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Morganton, NC. It holds $35K in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation operate?
Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation has awarded grants in North Carolina.
What is Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation's EIN?
Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 92-2409411. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2023–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS December 20, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
Live grants for the work Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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