Are you involved in a community-oriented gardening project in West Asheville that needs some extra resources? Or have you been dreaming of a great project that just needs some cash to become a reality? Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, WAGS has awarded Seed Grants annually since 2014.  We support projects that deepen horticultural & environmental awareness and education, encourage creative landscaping, &/or contribute to the beautification of West Asheville’s public spaces, such as boulevard strips, traffic islands, storefronts, community gardens, schools, etc.

The City’s Neighborhood Matching Grant program is now accepting applications for the 2024 calendar year. Neighborhood organizations can apply for up to $5,000 in funds to be matched with volunteer time, fundraising and in-kind donations.

The biggest change to the program in 2024 is a transition to rolling applications. Previously, neighborhoods had to meet a hard application deadline. Now, applications will be accepted throughout the calendar year or until a maximum of 14 projects are awarded.

What kinds of projects can the Neighborhood Matching Grant program fund?

The program supports a wide range of imaginative projects, giving neighborhood organizations an opportunity to improve the quality of life in their community in ways that are most important to them. Projects that address a neighborhood issue or need in one of the following categories are eligible. This list is not exhaustive.

• Physical improvement 

• Neighborhood identity 

• Community building events

• Public safety 

• Marketing and branding

• Organizational development and capacity building

• Programming (cannot be programming that is currently ongoing)

• Kickstart funding for new neighborhood organizations

A snapshot of past projects is available in the Spotlight Projects Guide.

“The grant-funded improvements to our park have really improved our neighborhood’s sense of community,” says Rob Patete of Kenilworth Forest.

Want to learn more?

The City will host a drop-in workshop:

• February 19, 2024
• 4-6 p.m.
• Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center. 

Background 

Established in 2021 by City Council, the Neighborhood Matching Grant program is designed to strengthen relationships between neighbors, cultivate the spirit of volunteerism, and help communities accomplish self-determined goals. The program has so far awarded 36 projects, resulting in $159,110 in City funds and an estimated 2,500 volunteer hours invested in Asheville’s neighborhoods.

The City’s Neighborhood Services Specialist, Meredith Friedheim, hopes to continue this impact with a few minor improvements in 2024. “We’ve had three years to see the potential that can be reached with this program as well as to understand how best to manage it on the back-end. Our neighborhoods have shown us that they are ready and willing to invest their time and resources in projects that are important to them. For me, there is exciting momentum going into this fourth year.”

The Neighborhood Matching Grant program is administered by the Community Engagement Division of the Communication and Public Engagement Department. To find out more about the Neighborhood Matching Grant Program and to apply, visit the program webpage.

The City’s Neighborhood Matching Grant program is now accepting applications for the 2024 calendar year. Neighborhood organizations can apply for up to $5,000 in funds to be matched with volunteer time, fundraising and in-kind donations.

The biggest change to the program in 2024 is a transition to rolling applications. Previously, neighborhoods had to meet a hard application deadline. Now, applications will be accepted throughout the calendar year or until a maximum of 14 projects are awarded.

What kinds of projects can the Neighborhood Matching Grant program fund?

The program supports a wide range of imaginative projects, giving neighborhood organizations an opportunity to improve the quality of life in their community in ways that are most important to them. Projects that address a neighborhood issue or need in one of the following categories are eligible. This list is not exhaustive.

• Physical improvement 

• Neighborhood identity 

• Community building events

• Public safety 

• Marketing and branding

• Organizational development and capacity building

• Programming (cannot be programming that is currently ongoing)

• Kickstart funding for new neighborhood organizations

A snapshot of past projects is available in the Spotlight Projects Guide.

“The grant-funded improvements to our park have really improved our neighborhood’s sense of community,” says Rob Patete of Kenilworth Forest.

Want to learn more?

The City will host a drop-in workshop:

• February 19, 2024
• 4-6 p.m.
• Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center. 

Background 

Established in 2021 by City Council, the Neighborhood Matching Grant program is designed to strengthen relationships between neighbors, cultivate the spirit of volunteerism, and help communities accomplish self-determined goals. The program has so far awarded 36 projects, resulting in $159,110 in City funds and an estimated 2,500 volunteer hours invested in Asheville’s neighborhoods.

The City’s Neighborhood Services Specialist, Meredith Friedheim, hopes to continue this impact with a few minor improvements in 2024. “We’ve had three years to see the potential that can be reached with this program as well as to understand how best to manage it on the back-end. Our neighborhoods have shown us that they are ready and willing to invest their time and resources in projects that are important to them. For me, there is exciting momentum going into this fourth year.”

The Neighborhood Matching Grant program is administered by the Community Engagement Division of the Communication and Public Engagement Department. To find out more about the Neighborhood Matching Grant Program and to apply, visit the program webpage.

The City’s Neighborhood Matching Grant program is now accepting applications for the 2024 calendar year. Neighborhood organizations can apply for up to $5,000 in funds to be matched with volunteer time, fundraising and in-kind donations.

The biggest change to the program in 2024 is a transition to rolling applications. Previously, neighborhoods had to meet a hard application deadline. Now, applications will be accepted throughout the calendar year or until a maximum of 14 projects are awarded.

What kinds of projects can the Neighborhood Matching Grant program fund?

The program supports a wide range of imaginative projects, giving neighborhood organizations an opportunity to improve the quality of life in their community in ways that are most important to them. Projects that address a neighborhood issue or need in one of the following categories are eligible. This list is not exhaustive.

• Physical improvement 

• Neighborhood identity 

• Community building events

• Public safety 

• Marketing and branding

• Organizational development and capacity building

• Programming (cannot be programming that is currently ongoing)

• Kickstart funding for new neighborhood organizations

A snapshot of past projects is available in the Spotlight Projects Guide.

“The grant-funded improvements to our park have really improved our neighborhood’s sense of community,” says Rob Patete of Kenilworth Forest.

Want to learn more?

The City will host a drop-in workshop:

• February 19, 2024
• 4-6 p.m.
• Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center. 

Background 

Established in 2021 by City Council, the Neighborhood Matching Grant program is designed to strengthen relationships between neighbors, cultivate the spirit of volunteerism, and help communities accomplish self-determined goals. The program has so far awarded 36 projects, resulting in $159,110 in City funds and an estimated 2,500 volunteer hours invested in Asheville’s neighborhoods.

The City’s Neighborhood Services Specialist, Meredith Friedheim, hopes to continue this impact with a few minor improvements in 2024. “We’ve had three years to see the potential that can be reached with this program as well as to understand how best to manage it on the back-end. Our neighborhoods have shown us that they are ready and willing to invest their time and resources in projects that are important to them. For me, there is exciting momentum going into this fourth year.”

The Neighborhood Matching Grant program is administered by the Community Engagement Division of the Communication and Public Engagement Department. To find out more about the Neighborhood Matching Grant Program and to apply, visit the program webpage.

The City’s Neighborhood Matching Grant program is now accepting applications for the 2024 calendar year. Neighborhood organizations can apply for up to $5,000 in funds to be matched with volunteer time, fundraising and in-kind donations.

The biggest change to the program in 2024 is a transition to rolling applications. Previously, neighborhoods had to meet a hard application deadline. Now, applications will be accepted throughout the calendar year or until a maximum of 14 projects are awarded.

What kinds of projects can the Neighborhood Matching Grant program fund?

The program supports a wide range of imaginative projects, giving neighborhood organizations an opportunity to improve the quality of life in their community in ways that are most important to them. Projects that address a neighborhood issue or need in one of the following categories are eligible. This list is not exhaustive.

• Physical improvement 

• Neighborhood identity 

• Community building events

• Public safety 

• Marketing and branding

• Organizational development and capacity building

• Programming (cannot be programming that is currently ongoing)

• Kickstart funding for new neighborhood organizations

A snapshot of past projects is available in the Spotlight Projects Guide.

“The grant-funded improvements to our park have really improved our neighborhood’s sense of community,” says Rob Patete of Kenilworth Forest.

Want to learn more?

The City will host a drop-in workshop:

• February 19, 2024
• 4-6 p.m.
• Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center. 

Background 

Established in 2021 by City Council, the Neighborhood Matching Grant program is designed to strengthen relationships between neighbors, cultivate the spirit of volunteerism, and help communities accomplish self-determined goals. The program has so far awarded 36 projects, resulting in $159,110 in City funds and an estimated 2,500 volunteer hours invested in Asheville’s neighborhoods.

The City’s Neighborhood Services Specialist, Meredith Friedheim, hopes to continue this impact with a few minor improvements in 2024. “We’ve had three years to see the potential that can be reached with this program as well as to understand how best to manage it on the back-end. Our neighborhoods have shown us that they are ready and willing to invest their time and resources in projects that are important to them. For me, there is exciting momentum going into this fourth year.”

The Neighborhood Matching Grant program is administered by the Community Engagement Division of the Communication and Public Engagement Department. To find out more about the Neighborhood Matching Grant Program and to apply, visit the program webpage.

Are you interested in doing business with Buncombe County or learning about outreach opportunities for your business? If so, Buncombe County’s new vendor portal has upgraded features so vendors can now self-register with a variety of new options. The new portal will also make it easier for all vendors to access information to bid on contracts, get updates, manage contract information, view existing contracts, and more. Additionally, updated commodity codes will allow vendors to identify what goods and services they provide, allowing the County to better determine who to solicit and increase participation in the bidding process.

In an effort to continually increase the County’s commitment to equity, one of its 2025 Strategic Plan priorities, vendors can self-identify as a Woman/Minority Business Enterprise (WMBE) or Historically Under Utilized Business (HUB).

You can visit Buncombe County’s new and improved vendor portal here. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

At Whole Kids, we know that the more kids know and feel connected to their food, the more curious they become about how things grow or taste, and the more willing they are to try new foods. This is why we believe in edible garden learning spaces!

Our Garden Grant program provides a $3,000 monetary grant to support a new or existing edible educational garden located at either a:

• K–12 School
• Non-profit organization (501(c)(3) in the US/Registered Charity in Canada) that serves children in the K-12 grade range

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible to apply for this grant, the school or organization must meet the below criteria:

• Be a charter or public school including tribally controlled and Bureau of Indian Education schools, non-profit private school, a non-profit organization or a tribal entity that serves children in the K-12 age range, or a government entity
• Engage at least 10 children on a regular basis
• Be growing edible plants in your garden
• Eligible to re-apply for a second grant if your previous funds were received in 2022 or earlier. Completion of Progress Report on previous grant required to apply again.
• Be located in the United States (including US controlled territories) or Canada

*Recipients can only receive a total of two Garden Grants.

TO PREPARE

You can find a copy of the 2024 Garden Grant application here. All final applications MUST be submitted online but we share the application PDF as a way for you to prepare and get started!

Are you interested in doing business with Buncombe County or learning about outreach opportunities for your business? If so, Buncombe County’s new vendor portal has upgraded features so vendors can now self-register with a variety of new options. The new portal will also make it easier for all vendors to access information to bid on contracts, get updates, manage contract information, view existing contracts, and more. Additionally, updated commodity codes will allow vendors to identify what goods and services they provide, allowing the County to better determine who to solicit and increase participation in the bidding process.

In an effort to continually increase the County’s commitment to equity, one of its 2025 Strategic Plan priorities, vendors can self-identify as a Woman/Minority Business Enterprise (WMBE) or Historically Under Utilized Business (HUB).

You can visit Buncombe County’s new and improved vendor portal here. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

At Whole Kids, we know that the more kids know and feel connected to their food, the more curious they become about how things grow or taste, and the more willing they are to try new foods. This is why we believe in edible garden learning spaces!

Our Garden Grant program provides a $3,000 monetary grant to support a new or existing edible educational garden located at either a:

• K–12 School
• Non-profit organization (501(c)(3) in the US/Registered Charity in Canada) that serves children in the K-12 grade range

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible to apply for this grant, the school or organization must meet the below criteria:

• Be a charter or public school including tribally controlled and Bureau of Indian Education schools, non-profit private school, a non-profit organization or a tribal entity that serves children in the K-12 age range, or a government entity
• Engage at least 10 children on a regular basis
• Be growing edible plants in your garden
• Eligible to re-apply for a second grant if your previous funds were received in 2022 or earlier. Completion of Progress Report on previous grant required to apply again.
• Be located in the United States (including US controlled territories) or Canada

*Recipients can only receive a total of two Garden Grants.

TO PREPARE

You can find a copy of the 2024 Garden Grant application here. All final applications MUST be submitted online but we share the application PDF as a way for you to prepare and get started!

The City’s Neighborhood Matching Grant program is now accepting applications for the 2024 calendar year. Neighborhood organizations can apply for up to $5,000 in funds to be matched with volunteer time, fundraising and in-kind donations.

The biggest change to the program in 2024 is a transition to rolling applications. Previously, neighborhoods had to meet a hard application deadline. Now, applications will be accepted throughout the calendar year or until a maximum of 14 projects are awarded.

What kinds of projects can the Neighborhood Matching Grant program fund?

The program supports a wide range of imaginative projects, giving neighborhood organizations an opportunity to improve the quality of life in their community in ways that are most important to them. Projects that address a neighborhood issue or need in one of the following categories are eligible. This list is not exhaustive.

• Physical improvement 

• Neighborhood identity 

• Community building events

• Public safety 

• Marketing and branding

• Organizational development and capacity building

• Programming (cannot be programming that is currently ongoing)

• Kickstart funding for new neighborhood organizations

A snapshot of past projects is available in the Spotlight Projects Guide.

“The grant-funded improvements to our park have really improved our neighborhood’s sense of community,” says Rob Patete of Kenilworth Forest.

Want to learn more?

The City will host a drop-in workshop:

• February 19, 2024
• 4-6 p.m.
• Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center. 

Background 

Established in 2021 by City Council, the Neighborhood Matching Grant program is designed to strengthen relationships between neighbors, cultivate the spirit of volunteerism, and help communities accomplish self-determined goals. The program has so far awarded 36 projects, resulting in $159,110 in City funds and an estimated 2,500 volunteer hours invested in Asheville’s neighborhoods.

The City’s Neighborhood Services Specialist, Meredith Friedheim, hopes to continue this impact with a few minor improvements in 2024. “We’ve had three years to see the potential that can be reached with this program as well as to understand how best to manage it on the back-end. Our neighborhoods have shown us that they are ready and willing to invest their time and resources in projects that are important to them. For me, there is exciting momentum going into this fourth year.”

The Neighborhood Matching Grant program is administered by the Community Engagement Division of the Communication and Public Engagement Department. To find out more about the Neighborhood Matching Grant Program and to apply, visit the program webpage.

Are you interested in doing business with Buncombe County or learning about outreach opportunities for your business? If so, Buncombe County’s new vendor portal has upgraded features so vendors can now self-register with a variety of new options. The new portal will also make it easier for all vendors to access information to bid on contracts, get updates, manage contract information, view existing contracts, and more. Additionally, updated commodity codes will allow vendors to identify what goods and services they provide, allowing the County to better determine who to solicit and increase participation in the bidding process.

In an effort to continually increase the County’s commitment to equity, one of its 2025 Strategic Plan priorities, vendors can self-identify as a Woman/Minority Business Enterprise (WMBE) or Historically Under Utilized Business (HUB).

You can visit Buncombe County’s new and improved vendor portal here. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

At Whole Kids, we know that the more kids know and feel connected to their food, the more curious they become about how things grow or taste, and the more willing they are to try new foods. This is why we believe in edible garden learning spaces!

Our Garden Grant program provides a $3,000 monetary grant to support a new or existing edible educational garden located at either a:

• K–12 School
• Non-profit organization (501(c)(3) in the US/Registered Charity in Canada) that serves children in the K-12 grade range

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible to apply for this grant, the school or organization must meet the below criteria:

• Be a charter or public school including tribally controlled and Bureau of Indian Education schools, non-profit private school, a non-profit organization or a tribal entity that serves children in the K-12 age range, or a government entity
• Engage at least 10 children on a regular basis
• Be growing edible plants in your garden
• Eligible to re-apply for a second grant if your previous funds were received in 2022 or earlier. Completion of Progress Report on previous grant required to apply again.
• Be located in the United States (including US controlled territories) or Canada

*Recipients can only receive a total of two Garden Grants.

TO PREPARE

You can find a copy of the 2024 Garden Grant application here. All final applications MUST be submitted online but we share the application PDF as a way for you to prepare and get started!