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CoThinkk supports impactful programs in Asheville and Western North Carolina with gifts of time, talent and treasure.

CoThinkk is a giving circle that brings together community leaders who care about the economic and social well-being of communities of color in Asheville and Western North Carolina. CoThinkk started in 2014 with the intention to implement investment strategies that address education, economic mobility/opportunity, and leadership development towards impacting some of the most critical social issues facing African-American and Latinx communities in Western North Carolina.

Programs must serve areas within Asheville or Western NC. Applicants must have 501(c)3 status or have a fiscal agent.  CoThinkk will award up to four grants ranging from $500 to $1,000. Although we have a limited pool of funds, the application process will provide a great opportunity to highlight and elevate the important work that is taking place in Western NC and will keep the community groups who submit an application on CoThinkk’s radar.

All CoThinkk members and supporters are able to apply, but will not participate in the final decision-making process.

Grant funds are available for community groups that sponsor programming that is led by leaders of color and supports African American and Latinx families and communities through education, economic mobility/opportunity, and leadership development, with particular emphasis on cultivating the energy, passion, and talents of the next generation to create an essential pipeline of leaders. By investing in strategies that focus on education, economic mobility/opportunity, and leadership, we seek the following long-term impact:

Shifted Regional Landscape:

Change the economic, health, education, and poverty narrative for communities of color in Asheville and the surrounding region;

Create a paradigm shift that inspires a new picture of resilience for communities of color in Asheville and Western NC.

Strong Leadership Development/ Generational Impact :

Build and strengthen a leadership pipeline of African-American and Latinx individuals that are focused on social change for Asheville and Western NC;

Create and support new leadership opportunities within traditional and nontraditional institutions in Asheville while building new alliances to focus on issues unique to communities of color;

Build the capacity of leaders of colors to serve in important roles within the region and build an intentional community engagement strategy that is focused on inclusivity, equity, and diversity.

Collaboration:

Build strong collaborations that work across racial and generational lines;

Cross sector collaboration and shared/aligned agendas;

Create opportunities for co-learning, volunteering, and using social, political, and economic capital as means to align agendas and activities towards social good.

Applications are available beginning August 15. The deadline for submitting applications is noon September 15. CoThinkk is accepting video grant applications. For further instructions, follow the application link below.

“Catching Dreams:” CoThinkk Video & Grant Process Workshop: In addition to the grant award, CoThinkk leadership will provide capacity building and leadership development opportunities for grant recipients including a free video and grant process workshop prior to the submission date. The Video & Grant Process workshop will focus on guiding attendees through the CoThinkk video grant process and assist participants with completing their final video submission for the September 15th submission deadline. Reserve your spot here.

CoThinkk Awards Night: The CoThinkk membership’s grant decisions and the community leadership award recipients will be announced at the CoThinkk Awards Night: Connecting Through the Roots on October 22nd, which is open to the entire community.  To attend the CoThinkk Awards Night, please reserve your ticket here. If you or your organization/corporation is interested in sponsoring this event, please contact CoThinkk founder, Tracey Greene-Washington at CoThinkk@gmail.com.

CoThinkk Community Leadership Awards: Alongside grant awards, CoThinkk will award four community leadership awards and highlight two community allies. Recipients of the community leadership awards must be leaders of color who are playing a critical role in the social change ecosystem of Western NC and working to shift the narrative of communities of color. Community allies are individuals or organizations who will be recognized for their leadership in working alongside and in partnership with communities and leaders of color. Nominations are due by September 1st and the public will weigh in during September 2-15 through text and online voting. The CoThinkk membership will then weigh the voting results and make a final decision. For more information and to submit nominations, access our submission portal here.