Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc
Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc is a public charity based in Boone, North Carolina. Formed in 2007, it is a collective giving organization of women philanthropists that supports efforts benefiting women and girls in the High Country, including Ashe, Avery, and Watauga counties.
Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc at a glance
In short: Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc gave $328K across 25 grants in 2025 (avg $13K), mostly in North Carolina. 32% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $327,929
- +28.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 25
- +19.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $13,117
- +7.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $452,352
- -8.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (8 of 25, 2025)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (97% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 895 State Farm Rd, Boone, NC 28607
Phone: (828) 264-4002
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc
Who Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Blowing Rock CARES ($15K). Together the top 10 received $150K.
Grant Size Distribution
100 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 100 grants of 100 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The grant program identifies Ashe, Avery, and Watauga counties as its service area. In 2025, 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina and 3% to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 25 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $15K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $105K (2020) to $328K (2025). In 2025 it made 25 grants totaling $328K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Blowing Rock CARES Blowing Rock, NC | Human Services | $15,000 |
| Ashe Food Pantry Jefferson, NC | Human Services | $15,000 |
| CARE Network Jefferson, NC | Human Services | $15,000 |
| High Country Caregivers Boone, NC | Health & Wellness | $15,000 |
| Hospitality House Boone, NC | Human Services | $15,000 |
| Hunger and Health Coalition Boone, NC | Human Services | $15,000 |
| Oasis Boone, NC | Human Services | $15,000 |
| Pisgah Legal Services Asheville, NC | Human Services | $15,000 |
| Quiet Givers Boone, NC | Human Services | $15,000 |
| WAMY Community Action Boone, NC | Human Services | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The organization’s 2025 filing says its board adopted an operating reserve policy targeting a minimum reserve equal to six months of average operating costs.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $452,352 | $568,973 | $583,895 | $327,929 | 25 | $15,825 |
| 2024 | $492,118 | $598,774 | $538,667 | $256,000 | 21 | $11,098 |
| 2023 | $383,132 | $408,102 | $405,975 | $218,750 | 19 | $11,367 |
| 2022 | $368,168 | $400,792 | $436,504 | $239,900 | 20 | $4,902 |
| 2021 | $424,316 | $366,576 | $317,694 | $171,400 | 15 | $7,878 |
| 2020 | $364,874 | $232,491 | $241,772 | $104,600 | 12 | $4,636 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization states that its mission is to make a positive impact on the lives of women and girls in the High Country. Its grant program supports nonprofit and community-based organizations with projects benefiting women and girls in Ashe, Avery, and Watauga counties. The stated focus areas are education, human services, and health and wellness. Funded projects are expected to address a local need; the program describes an emphasis on sustainable education solutions, trackable direct services, and health and wellness programs for women and girls.
Examples of grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. Blowing Rock CARES says it provides food and necessities for families in need, while Ashe Food Pantry says it acquires and distributes food through seven pantries. Community Care Clinic says it provides health care to low-income people without health insurance. WAMY Community Action says it partners with families and communities to help disadvantaged people become self-sufficient. These are the grantees’ missions, not the funder’s.
Grantmaking
The funder distributes grants through an annual cycle, using proceeds from special events and operating funds. It reports donating more than $2.1 million to local nonprofits since its establishment.
In filing year 2025, it made 25 grants totaling $327,929. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $15,000, with a median of $15,000. Among the 2025 awards, Blowing Rock CARES, Ashe Food Pantry, Pisgah Legal Services, WAMY Community Action, Quiet Givers, and Community Care Clinic each received $15,000. The Children’s Playhouse received $14,929.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing are Carey Mummaw, Chair; Amy Page, Vice Chair; Annie Tarbutton, Treasurer; Lindsay Miller, Secretary; Jan Rienerth, Outreach Chair; Allison Schlake, Grants Comm Chair; Diane Overcash, Bourbon Event Chair; Carrie Henderson, POP Comm Chair; Cathy Barker, Board Member; and Kathy Boyd, Board Member.
Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc is led by Jan Rienerth, Outreach Chair since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 15 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jan Rienerth
Outreach Chair
Director → Board Member, 2024
Board Member → Outreach Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Allison Schlake
Grants Committee Chair
Director → Grants Committee Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diane Overcash
Bourbon Event Chair
Director → Bourbon Event Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carey Mummaw
Chair
On filings since 2024
1.7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carrie Henderson
Pop Committee Chair
Pop Event Chair → Pop Committee Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Crabbe
Officer
On filings since 2024
20 hrs/week
$49K (2024) → $56K (2025)
Frances Magruder
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lindsay Miller
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Page
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Annie Tarbutton
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cathy Barker
Board Member
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jackie O Connell
Board Member
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Boyd
Board Member
On filings since 2024
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jackie Dyer
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sylvia Forsyth
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Julie Wiggins (2020–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Mary Hutchens (2020–2024) — Outreach Committee Chair
- Former: Carey Fissel (2020–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Josette Glover (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Lisa Simon (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Mary Bickers (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Patti Jupiter (2020–2023) — Chair
- Former: Kathleen Boyd (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Jennie Derby (2022–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Anne Wright (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Caroline Poteat (2021–2022) — Vice Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $56K, to Amy Crabbe (Officer).
Frequently asked questions about Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc
How much does Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc give each year?
Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc gave $328K across 25 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $256K across 21 grants.
What is Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc's typical grant size?
Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $13,117, across 25 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc that year got $13K on average.
Where does Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc give grants?
Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc gives mostly in North Carolina: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boone, NC (13 grants), Jefferson, NC (3 grants) and Deep Gap, NC (3 grants).
Does Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Human Services" (18 grants), "Education" (4 grants) and "Health & Wellness" (3 grants).
Who are Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc's largest grantees?
Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Blowing Rock CARES ($15,000), Ashe Food Pantry ($15,000) and CARE Network ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc?
Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc reported $452K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $569K.
What does Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc fund?
The organization states that its mission is to make a positive impact on the lives of women and girls in the High Country. Its grant program supports nonprofit and community-based organizations with projects benefiting women and girls in Ashe, Avery, and Watauga counties. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc?
Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc's EIN?
Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-1346239. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 20, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 13, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Dogwood Health Trust
Asheville, NC
Dogwood Health Trust funds work in housing, education, economic opportunity, and health and wellness that improves wellbeing in Western North Carolina, including its 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $21 million, with a median of $37,500; application requirements vary by funding opportunity.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
835
Total Given
$148.2M
North Carolina Community Foundation Inc
Raleigh, NC
The North Carolina Community Foundation supports charitable organizations and community programs in areas such as human services, education, youth development, health, food and nutrition, and the arts. Its typical grant was $15,000 in 2025; it serves communities statewide, with an emphasis on rural North Carolina, and accepts applications through specific affiliate, giving-circle, and other grant programs.
Assets
$569.1M
Grants
732
Total Given
$30.6M
Foundation for the Carolinas
Charlotte, NC
Foundation For The Carolinas funds education and youth development, environmental and wildlife work, health and human services, and animal welfare, with a reported median grant of $25,000 in 2024. Its competitive programs focus on Charlotte-Mecklenburg, the Carolinas, and specific local communities, while donor-advised funds may support eligible nonprofits more broadly; it accepts applications for some competitive grants, but most grants are recommended by fund advisors and have no application process.
Assets
$3.9B
Grants
1,605
Total Given
$609.1M
High Country United Way
Boone, NC
High Country United Way supports nonprofits and community organizations working on basic needs, health, education, disaster response, and related local needs in Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, and Yancey Counties. Its 2024 grants averaged about $11,600, though awards varied. It provides an online grant application, but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$921K
Grants
0
Total Given
$923K
The High Country Charitable Foundation
Wellington, FL
The High Country Charitable Foundation supports local nonprofits serving people and animals in need in Avery County, North Carolina, including organizations providing essential community services. It reported fulfilling $317,500 in grant requests in 2025, but no typical grant size is stated; 2026 applications are closed, and the available information does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.7M
Grants
0
Total Given
$422K
Helen M Clabough Charitable Foundation
Richmond, VA
The foundation funds conservation, natural-resource preservation, and arts and cultural resources in North Carolina’s High Country, the Upper Deschutes watershed, and Central Oregon. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $20,000, with a median of $10,000. It invites applicants to contact Godsey Gibb Wealth Management with a complete program description; the profile does not specify whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$2.0M
Grants
21
Total Given
$190K
More similar funders
More Funders in North Carolina
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/womens-fund-of-the-blue-ridge-inc-morg_436741c2e1a148abb10d9219e54fe1b1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_261346239_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/womens-fund-of-the-blue-ridge-inc-morg_436741c2e1a148abb10d9219e54fe1b1},
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 Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc'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.
Womens Fund of the Blue Ridge Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?