North Carolina Arts Grants

The Cashiers Community Fund, managed by The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC), aims to enhance the quality of life for residents in Cashiers, North Carolina. This grant program directly aligns with CFWNC's mission to support projects that benefit local communities. The fund provides financial assistance to nonprofit organizations and public agencies for a variety of charitable purposes, including programmatic needs, capital campaigns, and operating expenses, demonstrating a commitment to comprehensive community development. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are qualified 501(c)(3) organizations, governmental, educational, and religious organizations with a documented history of substantial work in Cashiers. The impact goal is to support initiatives that yield significant community benefits, fostering a stronger and more vibrant Cashiers. Organizations that can demonstrate the greatest community impact through their proposed projects are given the highest consideration. The fund prioritizes projects that address direct community needs and offer sustainable benefits. While the grant details don't explicitly outline CFWNC's overarching strategic priorities or theory of change, the focus on community benefit and supporting established local organizations suggests a strategy of empowering existing infrastructure and initiatives to achieve local impact. The grants generally do not support annual giving campaigns, scholarships, sectarian religious purposes, partisan political purposes, endowment funds, deficit funding, debt retirement, one-time events, or private primary and secondary schools (unless the project directly addresses community needs outside the school's students or staff). Expected outcomes include improved services, enhanced community resources, and strengthened local organizations in Cashiers. The grant duration of one year, with funds to be expended within that timeframe, implies an expectation of timely implementation and measurable progress. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the emphasis on "greatest community benefit" suggests that successful applicants will be able to articulate and demonstrate the positive changes their projects will bring to the Cashiers community. For more information, interested organizations are directed to visit the CFWNC website.

The Rockingham County Community Foundation is accepting applications from qualified charitable organizations to address local needs within Rockingham County, North Carolina. This grant program is aligned with the foundation's mission to support a broad range of community purposes, including human services, education, youth development, health, food/nutrition, and arts. The foundation emphasizes meeting local needs, indicating a strategic priority on community-driven impact and direct support for local initiatives. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are organizations serving the local community in Rockingham County, North Carolina. This includes 501(c)(3) public charity nonprofit organizations, organizations with a 501(c)(3) fiscal agent, local governments (including public schools), and fire and rescue departments. Religious entities may also apply for funding for social outreach and charitable service programs benefiting the community at large, but not for general operating support. The program aims to create a positive impact by funding initiatives that cater to diverse community needs, from basic human services to educational and cultural enrichment. The program's priorities and focuses are broad, encompassing areas such as human services, education, youth development, health, food/nutrition, and arts. This indicates a holistic approach to community development, recognizing the interconnectedness of various social determinants of well-being. The foundation's strategic priorities appear to be centered on fostering a vibrant and supportive community by addressing a wide spectrum of needs through local, qualified organizations. Grants typically range from $500 to $1,000, suggesting a focus on supporting smaller-scale projects or providing seed funding for local initiatives. While specific expected outcomes and measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, the emphasis on a "broad range of purposes to meet local needs" implies a theory of change where targeted, modest funding can lead to tangible improvements in community well-being across multiple sectors. Organizations are expected to offer programs and services without discrimination, ensuring equitable access and impact.

This grant provides funding to K–12 public schools and nonprofit arts organizations in North Carolina to deliver high-quality arts performances and residencies that promote student resilience and emotional well-being.

The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SSARE) Education Grants program is designed to fund education and outreach activities that benefit the sustainable agriculture community. This grant directly aligns with SSARE's mission to promote efforts in farmer innovations, community resilience, business success, agricultural diversification, and best management practices. The core objective is to support projects that develop sustainable agriculture systems or move existing systems towards sustainability. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are farmers and farming communities, including those involved in indigenous agriculture producing for community food systems. Academic institutions, non-profits, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), 1890 land-grant university faculty/extension cooperators, 1862 land-grant universities, other colleges and universities, and government agencies are eligible to apply, acting as facilitators for these educational initiatives. The impact goals are centered on fostering a more sustainable, resilient, and economically viable agricultural sector through knowledge dissemination and practical application. Education Grants prioritize projects that clearly articulate what is being taught, to whom, and how the goals will be accomplished. Focus areas include experiential learning (demonstrations, on-farm tours, field days, workshops), integrative approaches (conferences, seminars, course curriculum), and reinforcement methods (fact sheets, bulletins, videos, online technologies). SSARE also encourages proposals on quality of life topics, such as heirs property, farmers’ markets, food hubs, local/regional processing, and urban agriculture systems, emphasizing the social health of farming systems. Expected outcomes include the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices, enhanced farmer innovation, increased community resilience, improved business success for agricultural enterprises, and greater agricultural diversification. Projects should yield results that are realistic, acceptable to farmers, logical, and capable of leading to tangible actions and benefits described in the proposal. The grant projects are strictly focused on education and outreach, with no research component, and are paid by reimbursement of allowable expenses. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in the grant requirements, which mandate that project outcomes focus on sustainable agriculture systems and clearly demonstrate how education and outreach efforts will be implemented and evaluated. The theory of change underpinning this program is that by providing targeted education and outreach, knowledge and best practices will be transferred to farmers and communities, leading to the development and widespread adoption of sustainable agricultural methods and improved quality of life within farming systems. Project maximums are $50,000, with a duration limited to two years. Applicants from the Southern region, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are eligible. Farmers involved in these projects must have farming/ranching as their primary occupation or part-time farming with at least $1,000 of documented annual income from their operation, with exceptions for indigenous agriculture.

The ASC Cultural Organization Support Grants in North Carolina provide financial resources for nonprofit cultural organizations in Mecklenburg County to invest in capacity building opportunities that improve their management, develop audiences, strengthen fundraising, and achieve operating efficiencies. The program aims to support staff and board development at all levels of the organization and encourages a better understanding of environmental culture, history, white supremacist structures, and ways to embody equity in their work.

This program provides financial assistance to farmers in Orange County, North Carolina, to support innovative agricultural projects that enhance income and market access.

The Art Committee Grant Program, established by the City of Gastonia, aims to foster public access to quality arts programs, promote diversity in the arts, and stimulate economic development and tourism within the city. This initiative is rooted in North Carolina General Statute, which empowers local governments to establish and support arts programs and facilities through appropriations to governmental agencies, public or nonprofit private associations, corporations, or organizations. The program aligns with the city's broader mission to enrich the cultural landscape for its citizens and drive local economic growth through artistic endeavors. The program primarily targets eligible nonprofit arts organizations with 501(c)(3) status that maintain a permanent office, practice/performance space, or physical address within Gastonia's municipal boundaries. The impact goals include expanding the reach of arts programs, increasing the diversity of artistic expressions available to the public, and ultimately contributing to the city's economic vitality and attractiveness as a tourist destination. By supporting these organizations, the program seeks to strengthen the local arts ecosystem. The core priorities and focus areas of this grant program revolve around supporting qualifying arts programs. The definition of "arts" is broad, encompassing performing arts, visual arts, and literary arts, including dance, drama, music, painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, crafts, photography, film, video, architecture, design, and literature, when part of a performing, visual, or literary arts program. This wide scope ensures a diverse array of artistic expressions can receive funding, promoting comprehensive cultural development. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in public engagement with the arts, a broader representation of diverse artistic forms and cultures, and a positive economic impact through tourism and local spending generated by arts events. While specific metrics are not detailed, the underlying theory of change suggests that by providing financial support to local arts organizations, the City of Gastonia can directly enhance cultural accessibility and diversity, thereby creating a more vibrant community and stimulating economic benefits. The grant awards range from $1,000 to $10,000 per recipient. This funding mechanism is a direct implementation of the City Council's authority under Section 160A-488 of the North Carolina General Statute, reflecting a strategic priority to leverage local government capabilities for community enrichment. The program's design emphasizes support for organizations that are firmly rooted in the Gastonia community, ensuring that the investments directly benefit the city and its residents.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit arts organizations in Western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene, helping them recover through flexible funding for salaries, repairs, and audience engagement projects.

The Chatham County Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department offers small grants to local nonprofit agencies to enhance recreation opportunities within Chatham County, North Carolina. This program aligns with the department's mission to support and expand recreational access for all citizens, fulfilling the North Carolina Constitution’s public purpose requirement for the expenditure of public funds. The target beneficiaries are local nonprofit agencies that have been in operation for at least three years, excluding start-up agencies and those already funded by the county's operating budget. The program aims to increase and diversify recreational opportunities throughout the county, addressing community needs as outlined in the Chatham County Comprehensive Parks & Recreation Master Plan. Funding priorities for these recreation grants are recommended by the Recreation Advisory Committee. The scoring of applications will be based on alignment with the Chatham County Comprehensive Parks & Recreation Master Plan and the specific goals and objectives of the Chatham County Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department. This ensures that funded projects contribute directly to the strategic vision for parks and recreation in the county. While specific expected outcomes and measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided information beyond the general goal of supporting recreation opportunities, the emphasis on the Master Plan and departmental goals suggests a framework for evaluating success. Agencies are expected to implement projects, programs, or services that Chatham County has the statutory authority to provide, ensuring that the grants lead to tangible public benefits. The overall theory of change is that by providing financial support to established nonprofit agencies, the county can leverage community-based efforts to expand and improve recreational offerings. The grant amounts, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, with a tentative FY25 allocation of $20,300, indicate a commitment to investing in a diverse range of projects that will contribute to the well-being and quality of life for Chatham County residents.

This funding initiative provides financial support to nonprofit arts organizations and qualified teaching artists to deliver enriching arts programs to K-12 public school students in Buncombe County and Asheville City Schools, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas.

The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro is offering its Economic Mobility Grant Program, aligning with its mission to foster a strong economic foundation for residents. The foundation is committed to funding organizations that focus on key areas designed to promote economic stability and advancement within Guilford County. This grant program is a direct reflection of the foundation's strategic priority to advance economic mobility. The target beneficiaries of this program are residents of Guilford County who require support to become economically mobile. The impact goals are to support organizations whose work encompasses workforce development and education, small business and entrepreneurship, and access to workforce housing. By investing in these areas, the foundation aims to create a more equitable and opportunity-rich environment for individuals and families in the community. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly defined. Priority is given to grant proposals that concentrate on long-term strategies to advance and sustain economic mobility in Guilford County. This emphasizes a commitment to lasting change rather than short-term fixes. While the description doesn't explicitly state expected outcomes and measurable results in a quantitative sense, the focus on "long-term strategies to advance and sustain economic mobility" implies a desire for measurable improvements in employment rates, business creation, and access to affordable housing as indirect outcomes. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are centered on the belief that a strong economic foundation is crucial for residents to achieve economic mobility. By funding organizations engaged in workforce development, supporting small businesses, and ensuring access to housing, the foundation seeks to address systemic barriers to economic progress. The consideration of board and staff diversity and total operating budget in the grantmaking process also highlights a commitment to equity and inclusivity in achieving its goals, demonstrating a holistic approach to community development.

The Moore County Community Foundation (MCCF) is offering community grants to qualified charitable organizations serving the local community in Moore County, North Carolina. This grant program aligns with the foundation's mission to address local needs across a broad spectrum of purposes, ensuring the well-being and development of the community. The grantmaking program targets a wide range of beneficiaries through initiatives focused on human services, education, youth development, health, food/nutrition, and arts. The goal is to fund programs that meet essential local needs and create positive, measurable impacts within the community. The foundation prioritizes funding for initiatives that address a diverse set of local needs. While specific expected outcomes and measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, the foundation's emphasis on a broad range of purposes, including human services, education, and health, suggests a commitment to fostering holistic community improvement. Organizations are expected to offer programs and services without discrimination. The MCCF's strategic priority is to support organizations that can effectively serve the counties within its affiliate network. This indicates a localized approach to philanthropy, where the foundation aims to empower local non-profits, government entities, and even religious organizations (for social outreach programs) to drive positive change. The theory of change appears to be rooted in direct community investment and empowerment of local service providers to address pressing issues.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local nonprofits and faith-based organizations in Raleigh that assist low-to-moderate-income individuals in achieving self-sufficiency.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Hickory that deliver public services to low- and moderate-income individuals, focusing on the needs of the city's most vulnerable residents.

This funding opportunity supports Orange County nonprofits in creating arts and cultural projects that engage historically underrepresented communities and enhance the cultural life of Chapel Hill.

This funding opportunity supports individual artists and arts organizations in Catawba County, North Carolina, to create innovative projects that engage and benefit the local community.

This funding opportunity provides up to $3,000 to established organizations in Edgecombe County that offer recreational services to enhance limited recreational opportunities for local residents.

The Rowan Arts Council (RAC) Grassroots Arts grants are provided annually to non-profit organizations operating arts programs within Rowan County, North Carolina. This program is funded through the NC General Assembly via the NC Arts Council Grassroots Arts Program, with the RAC acting as the Designated County Partner. The primary mission of these grants aligns with enhancing and strengthening the cultural community and broadening artistic services available to Rowan County citizens. The program focuses on fostering a vibrant arts scene and making arts accessible to a wider audience, contributing to the cultural enrichment of the region. The grants target a diverse range of beneficiaries, including qualified arts organizations such as theaters, symphonies, galleries, art guilds, choral societies, dance companies, folk arts societies, writer’s groups, and arts festivals. Additionally, the program supports arts learning and arts in education initiatives for students and adults, as well as community organizations providing quality art experiences. The expected outcomes include a more robust cultural landscape, increased participation in arts programs, and expanded artistic services. Measurable results could include the number of organizations supported, the number of individuals reached through various programs, and the diversity of artistic offerings. The program prioritizes funding in three key areas. The first priority is to offer program or operating support to qualified arts organizations that do not receive funding directly from the N.C. Arts Council’s State Arts Resources. The second priority is to support arts learning and arts in education programs, such as artist residencies in schools, after-school camps, or adult arts classes, provided these activities are not part of a school's internal arts curriculum or for the purchase of art supplies or student competitions. The third priority is to support other community organizations that provide quality art experiences for the greater community, ensuring these programs are conducted by qualified artists. Grassroots Arts Program funds can be utilized across various artistic disciplines, including visual arts, crafts, dance, drama, film and video, folk arts, literature, music, photography, architecture, and the visual environment. Typical uses of funds encompass program expenses like artists’ fees, travel, space rental, advertising, and supplies, as well as program administration and operating expenses such. While salaries and equipment are allowable, their use is generally limited. The program strategically aims to build a strong, self-sustaining arts community in Rowan County by empowering local organizations and artists, which aligns with a theory of change that increased local investment in the arts leads to broader community engagement and cultural development.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in North Carolina that serve disadvantaged groups, including youth, the elderly, and individuals with mental or physical disabilities, to help them improve their services and capacity.

The Pamlico County Community Foundation Grant Program invites applications from qualified charitable organizations serving the local community. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to address diverse local needs through community grantmaking. The grants aim to support a broad range of purposes, ensuring that the foundation effectively serves the Pamlico County area by funding initiatives that meet critical community requirements. Target beneficiaries for this program include individuals and groups served by eligible organizations focused on human services, education, youth development, health, food/nutrition, and arts, among other areas. The impact goals are centered on fostering community well-being and development. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the program's broad scope suggests an aim to achieve positive community-wide changes across various sectors, improving the quality of life for residents of Pamlico County. The program prioritizes a wide array of community needs, making it flexible and responsive to the evolving challenges faced by the local population. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in its support for organizations that can demonstrate a clear benefit to the community-at-large. This includes a commitment to inclusivity, as organizations must offer programs and services without discrimination based on age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, physical ability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or religious belief. The foundation's theory of change appears to be rooted in empowering local charitable organizations, governments, and fire/rescue departments to implement programs that directly address community needs. By providing funding, the Pamlico County Community Foundation acts as a catalyst for positive change, relying on the expertise of its grantees to deliver impactful services and programs. This approach aims to create a ripple effect, where targeted investments lead to significant improvements in key areas of community life.