Eastern Band of Cherokees Community Foundation: Unrestricted Fund Grant

Eastern Band of Cherokees Community Foundation: Unrestricted Fund Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: North Carolina Community Foundation Inc
Amount: US $500 - US $1,000
Last Updated: November 22, 2025

Summary

The Eastern Band of Cherokees Community Foundation's Unrestricted Fund provides vital support for local nonprofit organizations serving tribal members in several counties. Founded in 1991, the foundation aims to enhance community assets through grants ranging from $500 to $1,000, with a total grantmaking cap of $4,500. This fund allows for flexible responses to community needs, fostering development and outreach that benefits the Eastern Band of Cherokees.

Overview

About Eastern Band of Cherokees Community Foundation The Eastern Band of Cherokees Community Foundation is a growing family of philanthropic funds, source of grants for local causes and partner for donors. EBCCF was founded in 1991 and is led by a local volunteer advisory board that helps build community assets through the creation of permanent endowments, makes grants and leverages leadership – all for the benefit of the Eastern Band of Cherokees. The EBCCF, through the NC Community Foundation, makes it easy to become a philanthropist, whatever your means or charitable goals. You can open an endowment for your favorite cause at any time – or contribute to an existing fund in any amount. The EBCCF board advises the Eastern Band of Cherokees Community Fund, the unrestricted community grantmaking fund, to support local needs. This competitive grants program is held annually. Because advisory board members live and work on the Qualla Boundary, they can leverage resources to help meet local needs and access opportunities. Eastern Band of Cherokees Unrestricted Fund This fund enables the Eastern Band of Cherokees Community Foundation to respond to changing community needs and to enhance the lives of area residents by awarding annual grants to local nonprofit organizations. Funding Grants typically range from $500 to $1000. Total grantmaking will not exceed $4,500.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Grants are awarded to organizations serving tribal members in Swain, Jackson, Cherokee, Graham and Haywood counties.An organization must meet the following criteria to apply:Organizations must be qualified as tax-exempt public charities under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be classified as a unit of local government (including public schools). An exception is made to include fire and rescue departments. If your organization operates as a 501 (c)(3) public charity via a fiscal agent, your application's supporting documentation must include a letter from the fiscal agent organization that verifies the relationship and includes when the relationship was established. Religious entities, including churches, congregations and other houses of worship, and/or faith-based organizations whose core functions/operations promote a specific religious doctrine or are restricted to members of a particular faith may apply for funding to support social outreach and charitable service programs to benefit the community-at-large, but they may not apply for general operating support. Only those organizations that serve the counties within our affiliate network will be considered. If an organization serves multiple counties within our network, that organization may complete a separate application for each of those affiliates. Organizations must offer programs and services without discrimination based on age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, physical ability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or religious belief. General operating support is funding that an organization uses for its core/general operations which allows the organization to continue to operate and meet its mission. Grants for this purpose may be used for any cost that keeps the organization operating, unless otherwise restricted at the time of the grant, which generally permits some flexibility for the grantee. Program/project support is funding for specific, mission-related programs or projects/initiatives that the organization is undertaking. Grants for this purpose only cover costs directly related to the program/project for which the application is made. Your organization may apply for grants in any of the affiliate programs, if your organization serves the counties of that affiliate. In addition, your organization may also apply for more than one project within a grant cycle for an individual affiliate; however, in those circumstances, it is best to communicate with the NCCF Regional Director for that affiliate as to which project is your priority in case the board is only able to fund one. Grant recipients have one year from the date of the grant to spend funds awarded by NCCF affiliates.

Ineligibility

Grants are not awarded for:Annual fund or capital campaigns Political purposes or lobbying Programs and/or activities that are restricted to members of a faith community or promote a specific religious doctrine Loans Reimbursements This program does not support reimbursement of costs incurred prior to the deadline for submission of your application. Your request may only include costs that will occur in the future, after the submission deadline of the application. Individuals Re-granting by the applicant organization General operating support for religious entities