Community Grants Program

The Community Grants Program is administered by The Endowment, a philanthropic organization focused on strengthening communities within New Hanover County. The program represents a strategic investment in nonprofit, governmental, and community-based organizations that are actively working to improve quality of life across the county. Rather than narrowly restricting funding to specific project types, the program emphasizes flexible support aligned with four core pillars: Social and Health Equity, Education, Community Safety, and Community Development. This structure reflects The Endowment’s broader mission to create meaningful, sustainable change at the local level by empowering organizations that directly serve residents. The purpose of the Community Grants Program is to fund initiatives that address clearly identified community needs and produce measurable impact within New Hanover County. Applicants are expected to demonstrate how their proposed activities align with at least one of the program’s strategic pillars and how funding will enhance their organizational effectiveness or expand services. Based on the review rubric, strong proposals clearly articulate the community need, define the target population, and outline intended outcomes, indicating that funding is intended to support programs with both immediate relevance and long-term benefit to the community. Funding through this program is designed to be flexible, allowing organizations to allocate resources in ways that best support their proposed activities. While specific allowable cost categories are not explicitly defined in the provided materials, the emphasis on clear and realistic budgeting indicates that funds must be directly tied to project implementation and aligned with stated outcomes. The review guidance also highlights that duplication of funding for the same activities is not permitted, particularly if the applicant already has an active or pending grant with The Endowment. This implies that applicants must ensure that requested funds are distinct and necessary for the proposed work. Eligibility for the program includes tax-exempt organizations such as nonprofits, governmental entities, and community organizations that serve or benefit residents of New Hanover County. Applicants must demonstrate a direct connection to the county through their service population. While an eligibility quiz is available to help organizations determine general qualification, final funding decisions are competitive and based on the strength of the application. The program explicitly excludes projects whose primary focus is arts and culture unless they are tied to broader community-serving or educational outcomes, as clarified in the review rubric. The application process involves submitting a complete proposal during the designated application window. For the 2026 Spring Cycle, applications open on August 10, 2026 and close on September 8, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Applicants are expected to provide a detailed project summary, including the identified need, planned activities, intended outcomes, and a clear, logical budget. All required documentation must be submitted at the time of application, as incomplete submissions may be disqualified from consideration during the review process. The review committee evaluates proposals using a structured scoring system ranging from 1 to 4, with criteria focusing on alignment, clarity, need, population definition, and budget quality. Evaluation of applications is conducted by subcommittees aligned with each strategic pillar. Reviewers assess proposals based on how well they meet the program’s criteria, including the urgency of the need and the potential for impact within the community. According to the rubric, proposals that demonstrate strong alignment, clear planning, and significant impact are prioritized for funding, while those lacking clarity or alignment may not be recommended. Final funding decisions are based on cumulative scoring, available budget, and committee recommendations, which are ultimately approved by The Endowment’s Board of Directors. The Community Grants Program operates on a recurring cycle, with application periods announced periodically. While exact award notification timelines and performance periods are not specified in the provided materials, the structured review and board approval process suggests a formal decision timeline following application closure. Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to utilize available resources, including application guides and support opportunities, to strengthen their submissions and ensure alignment with program priorities.

Prioritize clear alignment with program pillars, define target population precisely, and present a realistic budget tied to measurable outcomes