<< Back 12/25/02 Cherokee Foundation will discuss grants SMN The Cherokee Preservation Foundation will hold a series of community meetings Jan. 6-9 in the region’s westernmost counties to help prospective grantees understand what type of grants the foundation wants to make and the information that the foundation will require from applicants. Qualified applicants must submit new applications by Jan. 15 to be eligible for the foundation’s first grant cycle in 2003. The Foundation supports community efforts to renew and enhance the culture, economy and environment of the Cherokee community and the seven counties in Western North Carolina in which its tribal lands are located (Haywood, Jackson, Swain, Macon, Clay, Graham and Cherokee counties). One of the foundation’s primary roles is that of being a catalyst that brings the people of the EBCI together with their neighbors in the region to address mutual opportunities and concerns. The maximum award that may be sought through new applications in the initial 2003 grant cycle is $20,000. Such applications can involve development of plans, implementation of specific projects, or expanding capabilities of the applicant’s organization. Organizations may submit no more than one new application by the Jan. 15 deadline. The community meetings will be held on the following dates: ° Qualla Boundary, Jan. 6, 10 a.m., Ginger Welch Complex, Large Conference Room. ° Sylva, Jan. 6, 2 p.m., Justice Center, Room 203. ° Waynesville, Jan. 7, 10 a.m., Haywood Public Library Auditorium. ° Franklin, Jan. 7, 2 p.m., New Horizons Training Annex Conference Room. ° Robbinsville, Jan. 8, 10 a.m., Robbinsville Community Building. ° Bryson City, Jan. 8, 2 p.m., Swain County Administration Bldg., District Courtroom ° Murphy, Jan. 9, 10 a.m., Murphy Power Board Conference Room. ° Hayesville, Jan. 9, 2 p.m., Moss Memorial Library Conference Room. “The proposals that CPF will consider to be the strongest will be those concerning initiatives that involve collaborative partnerships with or within the EBCI,” said Susan Jenkins, executive director of the Cherokee Preservation Foundation. “We encourage applicants to work with others so they can make the most of their combined resources. During the Foundation’s initial round of grants in 2002, we experienced more than one instance in which multiple groups were trying to work on the same problem, yet were unaware of each other’s goals and efforts. We urge applicants to search for others with like minds before they apply, and then to submit applications jointly.” Programs that do not benefit the seven-county region will not be considered. However, an organization that resides outside the seven-county area whose project would specifically benefit the seven-county region may apply. The CPF’s priorities are programs that promote cultural preservation, economic development, economic opportunities or environmental preservation. The Foundation was established on Nov. 14, 2000 as part of the Second Amendment to the Tribal-State Compact between the EBCI and the State of North Carolina. CPF is an independent non-profit foundation funded by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) from gaming revenues generated by the EBCI. The Foundation is not part of or associated with any for-profit gaming entity.