Pisgah Investments Foundation Fuels Expansion of Warren Wilson College’s Tiny Home Initiative with $150,000 Commitment

With a $150,000 investment over three years, the Pisgah Investments Foundation is helping Warren Wilson College deepen its commitment to housing justice in Western North Carolina—empowering students to build hope, skills, and shelter, one tiny home at a time.

The grant will expand the College’s already-pioneering tiny home initiative, integrating classroom learning with hands-on construction projects that directly serve local families in need. Blending academics, community partnership, and practical workforce training, the initiative is at the forefront of a growing movement for sustainable, equitable housing.

“This isn’t just about building homes—it’s about building futures,” said Warren Wilson College President Dr. Damián J. Fernández. “Thanks to Pisgah Investments Foundation, our students are gaining real-world experience while meeting real-world needs. It’s a model for education that’s as grounded as it is visionary.”

The project began as a grassroots student proposal and quickly evolved into a larger regional collaboration in the wake of Hurricane Helene, when the College mobilized to support displaced neighbors. Since then, the initiative has garnered strong local support and demonstrated the power of experiential learning in action.

Now, with Pisgah’s funding, the College will launch a three-year, design-to-build program anchored in academic coursework. Each year, students will study housing challenges, the consequences for families and communities, and the efforts and organizations serving those in need. They also will do the hands-on work of providing shelter for families by designing and constructing a fully functional, environmentally resilient tiny home, with guidance from faculty and industry partners. The homes will be gifted to Swannanoa Valley residents facing housing instability.

“This partnership leverages Warren Wilson’s experiential learning model, and reflects our mission of investing in long-term, sustainable solutions for community well-being,” said Tom Maher, Executive Director of Pisgah Investments Foundation. “Warren Wilson’s approach—training students while serving neighbors—is a model we’re proud to support.”

The initiative builds on a successful prototype completed in spring 2025 in collaboration with BeLoved Asheville, a nonprofit championing housing justice. That home, powered by solar energy and built with high-efficiency materials, was constructed by students—with support from dozens of regional businesses and tradespeople.

The expanded program will continue this collaborative approach, deepening relationships with local nonprofits, builders, and community advocates. Alongside academic integration, students will take on roles from design and project management to outreach and fundraising, gaining holistic experience in sustainable development.

Warren Wilson College’s unique educational model, in which all students combine academic coursework, campus work, and community engagement, positions it to lead innovative, values-driven initiatives like this one. Warren Wilson was recently named by U.S. News and World Report as #24 on the “Most Innovative Schools” list due to its curricular renewal. The Pisgah Foundation’s support ensures the program’s longevity and growth, reinforcing the College’s mission to serve the common good through learning in action.

“Whether it’s responding to a crisis or building something new, our students are prepared to step up—not just someday, but today,” Fernández said. “They’re not just studying change; they’re creating it.”