WNC Bridge Foundation
WNC Bridge Foundation is an Asheville, North Carolina-based public charity that supports health and community wellbeing in Western North Carolina. It provides direct assistance and funds nonprofits, with stated aims of connecting communities to a healthier future and expanding access and equity for vulnerable populations.
WNC Bridge Foundation at a glance
In short: WNC Bridge Foundation gave $3.9M across 138 grants in 2024 (avg $28K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,915,520
- +37.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 138
- +137.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $28,373
- -42.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $128,597,202
- +0.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to WNC Bridge Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The 2026 IMPACT application cycle is closed; the website says applicants were to be notified of decisions in mid-June 2026.
- Review Cycle
- The 2026 IMPACT application deadline was March 2, 2026, a past deadline.
- Deadline
- The 2026 IMPACT application deadline was March 2, 2026, a past deadline.
- Contact
Mailing address: 294 Overlook Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
Phone: (828) 277-4815
Website: https://wncbridge.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from WNC Bridge Foundation
AIM Grants (Special Initiative Grants)
WNC Bridge Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Community Outreach Grants
WNC Bridge Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling (quarterly review)
Health Scholarships
WNC Bridge Foundation
Amount
$1,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who WNC Bridge Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina ($500K). Together the top 10 received $1.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
514 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 331 grants of 514 (64%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s grant materials and filing describe work across the 18 counties of Western North Carolina. Its current program materials also include the Qualla Boundary. All itemized grant dollars in filing year 2024 went to recipients in North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 138 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How WNC Bridge Foundation gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.3M (2019) to $6.8M (2020). In 2024 it made 138 grants totaling $3.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Asheville, NC | Grant - Hurricane Helene Relief | $500,000 |
| Shiloh Community Association Asheville, NC | Impact / Well-Being Grants / Discretionary | $286,470 |
| YMI Cultural Center Asheville, NC | Impact Grant - Active Grant | $75,000 |
| Centro Unido Latino Americano Marion, NC | Impact / Well-Being Grant / Now Grant | $61,063 |
| Family Place of Transylvania County Brevard, NC | Impact / Well-Being Grant / Now Grant | $61,063 |
| Literacy Connection Hendersonville, NC | Impact / well-being grant / now grant - hurricane helene relief | $61,063 |
| Only Hope WNC Inc East Flat Rock, NC | Impact / well-being grant / now grant - hurricane helene relief | $61,063 |
| Restoration House WNC Bryson City, NC | Impact / well-being grant / now grant - hurricane helene relief | $61,063 |
| Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity Rutherfordton, NC | Impact / well-being grant / now grant - hurricane helene relief | $61,063 |
| The Community Kitchen Inc Canton, NC | Impact / well-being grant / now grant - hurricane helene relief | $61,063 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $128,597,202 | $11,836,735 | $9,097,750 | $3,915,520 | 138 | $9,523,863 |
| 2023 | $127,467,872 | $4,463,165 | $8,053,497 | $2,855,298 | 58 | $2,390,504 |
| 2022 | $118,883,660 | $5,813,436 | $8,723,889 | $3,393,728 | 84 | $3,551,057 |
| 2021 | $146,559,840 | $12,380,465 | $9,995,843 | $5,820,283 | 116 | $5,817,216 |
| 2020 | $130,866,143 | $7,573,217 | $10,635,891 | $6,754,566 | 118 | $1,035,906 |
| 2019 | $83,207,404 | $17,606,572 | $7,021,809 | $2,265,105 | 16 | $1,861,090 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to connect communities to a healthier future and create lasting change through local partnerships, focusing on access and equity for vulnerable populations and on addressing health challenges across Western North Carolina.
Its 2026 IMPACT and NOW grant materials identify three focus areas: Basic Needs, including fresh food access or prepared meals, healthcare, home or property repair, and transportation; Mental Health, including community outreach and access to mental health services; and Youth Development, including mental and emotional support, K–12 academic support, child welfare, and family support. The foundation says long-term Hurricane Helene recovery and resilience requests receive additional consideration for IMPACT grants. Its guidelines exclude homelessness-focused initiatives from Basic Needs, recovery- or substance-abuse-focused organizations from Mental Health, and camps from IMPACT funding.
The grantees listed in the 2024 filing include organizations working on regional philanthropy, community development, cultural programming, literacy, housing, and transportation. For example, the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina describes its mission as promoting regional philanthropy and developing local funds for the region’s 18 counties. Shiloh Community Association describes work to foster cooperative relationships, community development, and health, education, and housing programs. W4H Asheville, doing business as Working Wheels, describes providing affordable transportation through vehicle sales and repairs.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 138 itemized grants totaling $3,915,520. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $500,000, with a median of $10,000. The foundation’s filing separately described $4,299,378 invested in grants and Community Initiatives in the 18 counties of Western North Carolina. Its program description included $2,158,796 in IMPACT grants and $992,406 in NOW grants, among other funding and initiatives.
The largest listed 2024 grant was $500,000 to the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina for Hurricane Helene relief. Other notable grants included $286,470 to Shiloh Community Association for impact, well-being, and discretionary grants; $75,000 to YMI Cultural Center for an active impact grant; and $61,063 each to several organizations for NOW grants, including Centro Unido Latino Americano, Family Place of Transylvania County, Literacy Connection, Restoration House WNC, and Working Wheels.
The website describes NOW grants as a quick-turnaround program offering awards from $1,000 to $10,000. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) public charities, organizations fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) public charity, local government entities including public schools, and religious entities. Applicants must address needs in the 18 counties or the Qualla Boundary. The website lists direct program expenses and related administrative, transportation, and essential-supply costs as allowable uses. Organizations awarded a 2026 IMPACT grant are not eligible for 2026 NOW funding.
For IMPACT grants, the website identifies 501(c)(3) nonprofits and faith-based organizations serving the Qualla Boundary and the 18 counties as eligible. Faith-based applicants must show that funded activities serve the broader community regardless of religious affiliation or belief. The website lists grants to government agencies, grant-distributing organizations, and individuals, as well as camp requests, among exclusions.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing listed Scott W. Buchanan as CEO and president; David W. Hart as chair; Matt Groome as chair-elect; Gay P. Vinson as past chair; Kerry Friedman as treasurer; and David L. Hayes as secretary. It also listed Elizabeth Cozart, Eugene Edwards Jr., Judy Futch, and Donna Hastie as directors.
WNC Bridge Foundation is led by Scott W. Buchanan, CEO & President on every filing since 2019; 2 of 24 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Scott W. Buchanan
CEO & President
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$204K (2019) → $215K (2024)
David W. Hart
Chair
Director → Chair Elect, 2021
Chair Elect → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Metzger
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donna Hastie
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Cozart
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lary A. Schulhof MD
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lowell Pearlman
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rendi Mann-Stadt JD
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William N. Lewin Cpa Cgma
Director
Chair → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eugene Edwards Jr.
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jean Lee JD
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Judy Futch
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Baxter
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarajane Melton Mhs
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kate Vogel
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Allison Krivatch
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Haize Lewis
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Pierce
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Winfield Word-Sims MD
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Bentley
Vice President & Finance
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$103K (2023) → $118K (2024)
David L. Hayes
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gay P. Vinson
Past-Chair
Chair-Elect → Chair, 2021
Chair → Past-Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kerry Friedman JD
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matt Groome Cpa Cfp Qpfc
Chair-Elect
Director → Chair-Elect, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: H. Denniston Crews MD (2019–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Jeff Gould (2019–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Susan Van Tassel Pharmd (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Meg White (2020–2022) — Senior Program Officer
- Former: William N. Lewin (2020–2022) — Past Chair
- Former: Isaac Owolabi PhD (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Marcia Schroeder Anp (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Thomas B. Irwin (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Brady Blackburn (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Kathryn Daughton Rn Med (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $215K, to Scott W Buchanan (CEO & President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about WNC Bridge Foundation
How much does WNC Bridge Foundation give each year?
WNC Bridge Foundation gave $3.9M across 138 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $2.9M across 58 grants.
What is WNC Bridge Foundation's typical grant size?
WNC Bridge Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $28,373, across 138 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does WNC Bridge Foundation give grants?
WNC Bridge Foundation gives mostly in North Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Asheville, NC (42 grants), Hendersonville, NC (18 grants), Brevard, NC (8 grants) and Burnsville, NC (7 grants).
Does WNC Bridge Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 138 grants with a stated purpose on WNC Bridge Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Now Grant - Hurricane Helene Relief" (66 grants), "Impact/ Well-Being Grants" (24 grants) and "Now Grant" (11 grants).
Who are WNC Bridge Foundation's largest grantees?
WNC Bridge Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina ($500,000), Shiloh Community Association ($286,470) and YMI Cultural Center ($75,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is WNC Bridge Foundation?
WNC Bridge Foundation reported $128.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $11.8M.
What does WNC Bridge Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to connect communities to a healthier future and create lasting change through local partnerships, focusing on access and equity for vulnerable populations and on addressing health challenges across Western North Carolina. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from WNC Bridge Foundation?
The 2026 IMPACT application cycle is closed; the website says applicants were to be notified of decisions in mid-June 2026. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is WNC Bridge Foundation's EIN?
WNC Bridge Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-2110357. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 17, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 31, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 22, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 29, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in WNC Bridge Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). WNC Bridge Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/wnc-bridge-foundation-morg_bc97ff1872e34f3b94af687db07be2a1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_562110357_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{WNC Bridge Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/wnc-bridge-foundation-morg_bc97ff1872e34f3b94af687db07be2a1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from WNC Bridge Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
WNC Bridge Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?