Pigeon River Fund Grant

The Pigeon River Fund Grant aims to enhance the ecosystems of Haywood, Buncombe, and Madison counties in North Carolina. Supporting projects that improve water quality, wildlife habitats, and public access, the grant encourages community awareness and engagement in conservation efforts. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $35,000, with specific priorities for projects addressing local water quality issues. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities within the service area.

The Pigeon River Fund (PRF) exists to improve the streams and rivers of Haywood, Buncombe and Madison counties in North Carolina.
Focus Areas
It supports projects and activities that provide direct benefits in at least one of the following focus areas:
Improved surface water qualityEnhanced fish and wildlife management and habitatsExpanded public accessIncreased citizens' awareness about their roles in protecting these resources.
Among many other things, river management plans, watershed studies and conservation easements are considered direct benefits under these guidelines.
Grant requests may address any of the four focus areas listed above.
Listed below are additional expectations for grant applications.
Grants are typically for one year and generally range from $5,000 to $35,000. Some grant requests may exceed $35,000 with prior approval of CFWNC staff.Conservation easement requests for transaction or acquisition costs should not exceed $30,000.
PRF grants should leverage other funds or in-kind resources toward total project costs. PRF awards may be contingent on receipt of additional funds. In such cases, other necessary funds must be secured within 18 months of a PRF grant award.
If the project is or will be ongoing, PRF funds should be allocated for a specific time period.Operating support is only considered for select organizations chosen by the PRF Advisory Committee. Operating support requests may not exceed $50,000.
Grant funds may be used to support administrative costs, including a share of staff costs, when essential to the project.
If the project requires permitting of any kind, i.e. building, Army Corps of Engineers, DEQ, etc., permitting should be in process or completed prior to submission of grant application. Please review this Permit Reference Guide.
Higher priority projects:
Support efforts to address water quality issues in streams or watersheds that are identified as priorities in county (or other authority) watershed action plans. Promote collaboration or coordination on projects that address comprehensive issues and will have long-term benefit. Encourage education and awareness of water quality issues preferably focused on helping individuals understand how their actions relate to the overall health of the river basin.
Install water quality BMPs or other stream improvements that are part of a coordinated multi-faceted effort and will result in significant improvement in water quality.
Lower priority projects:
Scattered projects (including demonstration BMPs or other projects) not related to coordinated effort to improve priority streams/watershed in the relevant community. Government agency operating support, especially staffing. Projects related to regulation enforcement which is the responsibility of the government.
Funding
Grants are typically for one year and generally range from $5,000 to $35,000. Some grant requests may exceed $35,000 with prior approval of CFWNC staff. Conservation easement requests for transaction or acquisition costs should not exceed $30,000.

Eligibility

Tax-exempt organizations described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and governmental entities serving Buncombe, Haywood or Madison counties are eligible to apply.

Ineligibility

PRF grant funds are not appropriate for any projects and activities related to or in support of litigation in any administrative or judicial forum. Grants generally do not support: scholarships; sectarian religious purposes; partisan political purposes; endowment funds; deficit funding or debt retirement; capital support for new buildings or major expansions; festivals or one-time events such as exhibits, performances or fundraisers; or activities taking place or expenses incurred before grant decisions are made.