leverage fund

Grant Writing Support

Every year, significant amounts of grant funding are distributed by federal and state agencies, national foundations and other funders. Dogwood Health Trust’s Leverage Fund helps bring more of this funding to Western North Carolina by connecting nonprofits and community-based organizations with professional grant writers at no cost.

Since its inception in 2019, the Leverage Fund has helped secure more than $168 million for WNC organizations, providing support to 148 nonprofits and government organizations.

These dollars do more than just enhance budgets. Diversifying a nonprofit’s funder base reduces financial risk by preventing overreliance on a single funding source. This can create greater long-term sustainability and increase the likelihood that the organization can weather economic fluctuations and policy changes.

Below, you’ll find details on how to apply, key deadlines and other supports available.

eligibility

Organizations with an active Dogwood grant for some or all of 2025 that:

Serve the Qualla Boundary and/or at least one of the 18 counties of Western North Carolina (Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey)
Are serving populations most impacted by health disparities
Have an operating budget under $5 million
Exhibit strong alignment with Dogwood’s 2025 Funding Priorities

Additional eligibility for hurricane relief funding:

Organizations with budgets over $5 million, Councils of Government (COGs), and municipalities that are:
- Located in one of the 12 counties most impacted by Hurricane Helene (Buncombe, Yancey, Mitchell, Avery, Henderson, McDowell, Rutherford, Madison, Polk, Burke, Haywood, and Transylvania)
- Seeking funding for hurricane relief and recovery efforts

For the full eligibility criteria, read our FAQs below.

what we offer

Free access to an experienced grant writer who understands the nonprofit funding landscape

Support for federal, state and foundation grants to maximize your funding opportunities

Help navigating complex applications so you don’t miss important details

how to apply

The Leverage Fund accepts applications from March 14 through Oct. 1, 2025. During this period, eligible organizations may apply for grant writing assistance.

Choose a path below:

Returning Leverage Fund Recipients

If your organization has previously received support from the Leverage Fund, please proceed directly to the application.

First-Time Applicants

If your organization has not received Leverage Fund support before, begin by completing an “Engage With Us” form. This step ensures alignment with funding priorities before moving forward.

How it works

Step 1

Tell us about your funding need.

Step 2

If eligible, we’ll connect you with a grant writer.

Step 3

Get to work on your application.

Step 4

Let us know your results!

Other Resources

Grants Help Desk

If you are a grantee seeking advice on securing funding from other sources, Dogwood’s Grants Help Desk provides free guidance to eligible nonprofits and municipalities in WNC. This resource is designed to help improve the competitiveness of your grant applications.

Next-Level Funding Webinars

Want to strengthen your grant writing skills? Our Next-Level Funding webinars provide expert insights on seeking and securing grant funding.

Funding Opportunities List

Each month, Dogwood curates a non-exhaustive list of funding opportunities to help support your work. Download this month’s list.

Additional Funding Sources

Looking for additional funding sources? Check out these grant databases:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What services does Leverage Fund provide?

Direct support on developing a grant application. When an organization identifies an appropriate funding opportunity, the Leverage Fund can support the organization’s proposal development by providing grant writing services free of charge.
Grant resources and information – the Leverage Fund offers a monthly list of funding opportunities as well as the Next Level Funding webinar series.

Who can receive support from Leverage Fund?

Organizations that have an active Dogwood grant for some or all of 2025 and:

Demonstrate a commitment to serve, engage with and reflect the voices and lived experiences of disinvested and disconnected people and communities.
Have an operating budget < $5 million.
Exhibit a high level of mission alignment to DHT’s four strategic funding priorities of housing, education, economic opportunity and/or health & wellness.
Demonstrate a critical need for Leverage Fund support.

Organizations with budgets of more than $5 million, COGS, and municipalities that are:

Located in one of the 12 counties most impacted by Helene (Buncombe, Yancey, Mitchell, Avery, Henderson, McDowell, Rutherford, Madison, Polk, Burke, Haywood, and Transylvania).
Seeking support for hurricane relief/recovery funding.

Note: When a Leverage Fund request is received, we review its eligibility, the organization’s readiness to apply, and fit with the specific funding opportunity. Not all organizations that request Leverage Fund assistance are approved.

Leverage Fund will not provide grant writer support for:

Projects that do not serve WNC.
Projects that do not align with Dogwood Health Trust’s strategic funding priorities.
Grant applications to local funders within the 18 westernmost counties of WNC.
Grant applications to a Dogwood Health Trust funding opportunity.

What types of grants can Leverage Fund help with?

Federal and state grant applications, as well as proposals to private foundations that are located outside the 18 westernmost counties of WNC.

Does my organization have to be a former or current Dogwood Health Trust grantee to receive Leverage Fund help?

Your organization must be a current Dogwood Health Trust grantee to receive Leverage Fund support or a COG or a municipality located in one of the 12 counties most impacted by Hurricane Helene (Buncombe, Yancey, Mitchell, Avery, Henderson, McDowell, Rutherford, Madison, Polk, Burke, Haywood and Transylvania) seeking funding for hurricane relief and recovery efforts.

Is there a fee for Leverage Fund services?

No.

Can I use Leverage Fund services more than once?

Yes. Prior use does not disqualify an organization from using the services in the future. Organizations may use Leverage Fund services up to twice per year.

Would Leverage Fund help be given to more than one organization going after the same funding opportunity?

It depends. Leverage Fund supports collaboration, as opposed to competition, whenever possible. If two or more organizations want to apply for the same grant and will target the same service area and population, those organizations are directly competing; in such instances, Leverage Fund is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. If two organizations are applying to serve different regions or target populations, each organization is eligible to receive Leverage Fund assistance commensurate with its need. Leverage Fund maintains confidentiality and does not share grant application information with other organizations competing for the same funding.

What does Dogwood Health Trust require from organizations receiving Leverage Fund consulting services?

Recipients of Leverage Fund services are asked to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that states Dogwood’s expectations of Leverage Fund partners and consultants. At a minimum, all organizations are expected to:

Complete the funding application process to the best of their ability.
Devote the necessary time and staff resources to the application development process.
Inform your Dogwood Leverage Fund Officer when you receive your award notification or declination.
Agree that your assigned grant writer has your permission to submit a copy of your completed grant application to Dogwood Health Trust. All applications will be kept confidential, and Dogwood will not share the grant application information with other organizations.