North Carolina Private Grants

This funding opportunity provides $25,000 to eligible nonprofit organizations in North Carolina to support small businesses with grants of up to $5,000 for growth investments that enhance community vitality and economic resilience.

The Craven Arts Council & Gallery, in partnership with the North Carolina Arts Council, is offering Grassroots Project Grants. These grants are designed to support non-profit organizations that implement arts projects within Craven County, North Carolina. The program's mission aligns with fostering local arts initiatives and ensuring that artistic endeavors are accessible and supported at the community level. The Craven Arts Council & Gallery acts as the local arts council responsible for disbursing these funds, ensuring that the grants directly benefit the cultural landscape of Craven County. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are non-profit organizations operating within Craven County that are engaged in arts-related projects. While 501(c)(3) status is preferred, organizations that are non-profit in nature are also eligible to apply. The impact goals include enhancing artistic expression, supporting local cultural events, and providing opportunities for community engagement through the arts. Individual artists or projects are not eligible, focusing the grants on organizational impact and broader community benefit. The program prioritizes projects that take place between July 1, 2024, and June 15, 2025. Organizations must have been in operation for at least one year and must reside and carry out their projects within Craven County. The focus is on supporting established or developing non-profit entities that can demonstrate a commitment to the arts within the specified geographical area. Grant amounts range from $500 to $4000, indicating a focus on supporting a variety of project sizes and enabling smaller organizations to access funding. Expected outcomes of the Grassroots Arts Project Grants include an increase in the number and quality of arts projects within Craven County, enhanced community participation in arts events, and the strengthening of local arts organizations. Measurable results could include the number of projects funded, audience attendance at funded events, and the demonstrated impact of these projects on the community's cultural vibrancy. The foundation's strategic priority is to decentralize arts funding, allowing local arts councils to directly address the needs of their communities, thereby strengthening the arts infrastructure at a grassroots level. The theory of change is that by empowering local arts councils and providing direct financial support to local non-profit arts organizations, the overall health and accessibility of the arts in North Carolina, specifically in Craven County, will be significantly improved.

The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro is offering its Cultural Vibrancy Grant Program to support a community where all residents have access to diverse cultural, educational, and natural resources. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to foster a vibrant culture built upon inclusive community dialogue and civic engagement. The program specifically seeks to bolster cultural vibrancy through strategic funding, aiming to create a more equitable and enriched environment for all residents of Guilford County. The grant program targets students and residents at or below the federal poverty line in Guilford County as primary beneficiaries, with a focus on increasing their access to and appreciation for the arts, cultural opportunities, and natural assets like parks. Beyond this, the program also aims to engage diverse and multi-generational audiences in Guilford County through cultural education and events. The broader impact goal is to deepen understanding and facilitate community engagement among Greensboro's diverse communities and cultures. Key priorities for the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro include investing in cultural education and events that resonate with a wide array of audiences. Furthermore, the foundation emphasizes facilitating dialogue and community engagement to foster deeper understanding among and between the city's diverse communities. The program also prioritizes proposals that demonstrate long-term strategies for advancing and sustaining cultural vibrancy within Guilford County, highlighting a commitment to lasting impact. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations located in or serving the specified areas, and priority is given to those with long-term strategies. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed, the expected outcomes involve increased participation in cultural and natural resource activities, enhanced cultural education, and strengthened community cohesion. The foundation's strategic priority is to achieve equity in its grantmaking process, considering board and staff diversity and total operating budget in its review process to ensure broad and inclusive support, regardless of the applicant's budget size.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Guilford County, North Carolina, to support programs that promote economic mobility and long-term financial stability for individuals and communities.

Mountain BizWorks in North Carolina is offering 20 micro-grants of $2,500 each to startups and emerging businesses owned by historically underrepresented groups, aiming to support their growth and contribution to the local community.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation is offering a grant program aimed at expanding access to mental and behavioral health services and resources for youth. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians by focusing on critical health needs. The program seeks to support models that are effective in the short term (1-3 years) and leverage a trained workforce beyond traditional specialty-trained clinical roles. This strategic approach emphasizes immediate impact and sustainable community engagement, reflecting a theory of change that posits empowering a broader range of professionals will lead to more accessible and responsive mental health support for young people. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are youth in North Carolina, particularly those in communities facing significant barriers to accessing care. The program aims to address the critical need for mental and behavioral health support by increasing the availability of resources and services. Impact goals include fostering early identification of distress, trauma, mental health changes, or substance use among youth, and facilitating their connection to appropriate resources. The foundation prioritizes approaches that engage diverse communities and can operate in various settings, such as communities, schools, health systems, and faith-based organizations. The program's priorities include strengthening organizational capacity and infrastructure, connecting care across different settings, increasing access to training opportunities for a diverse workforce, and enhancing the availability of culturally and linguistically relevant resources and materials. The focus is on a trained workforce that can identify, understand, and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, providing initial support and resource connection. This strategy aims to create a more integrated and accessible support system for youth mental and behavioral health. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in the number of youth accessing mental and behavioral health services, improved early intervention for mental health concerns, and a more robust network of trained professionals capable of supporting youth. The grant allows for proposals ranging from $75,000 to $500,000 per year for up to three years, indicating a commitment to significant, multi-year projects. Eligible organizations include nonprofits, fiscally sponsored programs, government entities (including schools and tribal governments), and coalitions, fostering a broad and inclusive approach to addressing youth mental health needs across all counties in North Carolina.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in North Carolina that create innovative programs to strengthen local entrepreneurial ecosystems and promote economic growth.

The Duplin County Community Foundation (DCCF) Grant Program is currently accepting applications to support qualified charitable organizations serving the local community of Duplin County, North Carolina. This grant program is aligned with the DCCF's mission to address a broad range of local needs. The grant-making fund supports various purposes, including human services, education, youth development, health, food/nutrition, and arts. The foundation's strategic priority is to foster a responsive grant-making approach that addresses the diverse needs within the community, ensuring that funds are directed where they can have the most significant impact. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are organizations that serve the community-at-large within Duplin County. This includes 501(c)(3) public charity nonprofit organizations, organizations with a fiscal agent who is a 501(c)(3) public charity nonprofit, local governments (including public schools), and fire and rescue departments. Religious entities may also apply for funding to support social outreach and charitable service programs benefiting the community, but not for general operating support. The impact goal is to strengthen the local community by supporting essential services and programs that improve the quality of life for its residents. The foundation aims to create a ripple effect of positive change through its investments. The program prioritizes initiatives that meet local needs in a wide array of areas. This broad focus allows for flexibility in addressing emerging challenges and opportunities within Duplin County. The expected outcomes include enhanced community services, improved educational opportunities, healthier residents, and greater access to nutritious food and artistic programs. Measurable results would be evidenced by the number of individuals served by grant-funded programs, improvements in specific indicators related to health or education, and the overall positive impact on the well-being of Duplin County residents. The Duplin County Community Foundation's theory of change is rooted in the belief that by providing financial support to well-aligned and impactful local organizations, the foundation can empower these entities to deliver vital services and programs. This, in turn, leads to a stronger, more resilient, and vibrant community. The foundation emphasizes inclusivity, requiring organizations to offer programs and services without discrimination based on age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, physical ability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or religious belief, ensuring equitable access to resources and benefits for all residents. The typical grant range from the community grantmaking fund is $500 to $1,000.

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) offers Human Services grants of up to $20,000, aimed at supporting programs and projects that deliver significant assistance to economically-disadvantaged individuals within mountain communities. The foundation's mission, as evidenced by this grant, is deeply rooted in addressing critical social needs and fostering well-being among vulnerable populations in its service area. This grant program directly aligns with a strategic priority to support human services and build stronger, more resilient communities by targeting the root causes and consequences of economic disadvantage. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are economically-disadvantaged people residing in selected WNC counties. The impact goals are to address timely community needs or opportunities, continue or expand proven programs, increase cooperation among service providers, build organizational capacity for self-sufficiency, and acquire equipment that provides immediate and substantial benefits. These goals collectively aim to improve the quality of life and opportunities for those facing economic hardship, reflecting a theory of change that by strengthening local service delivery and capacity, the foundation can create lasting positive change. The program prioritizes initiatives that are not currently being addressed by other agencies, those that replicate or expand successful models, and projects that enhance collaboration among providers. A significant focus is also placed on building the internal capacity of organizations, enabling them to operate more efficiently and sustainably, and on funding equipment that offers immediate and substantial benefits to the target population. These priorities demonstrate CFWNC's commitment to strategic, impactful funding that not only provides direct services but also strengthens the ecosystem of support for economically-disadvantaged individuals. Expected outcomes include a measurable improvement in the lives of economically-disadvantaged people, enhanced effectiveness and sustainability of human service organizations, and more coordinated and comprehensive community responses to pressing social needs. While specific measurable results are not detailed, the objectives imply a focus on quantifiable improvements in service delivery, access to resources, and organizational health. The foundation's strategic priorities are clearly centered on maximizing community benefit through targeted investments in human services. Organizations are eligible if they focus on serving economically-disadvantaged people, are financially sustainable, hold 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or are governmental entities, and are located in and serve the specified WNC counties. The foundation explicitly does not fund general operating expenses (unless directly tied to the project), capital support for new buildings, recreational programs, private primary/secondary schools (with exceptions), festivals, scholarships, activities before grant decisions, sectarian religious purposes, partisan political purposes, endowment/deficit funding, or state/national organizations unless local benefits and leadership are demonstrated. This careful delineation of what is and isn't funded further clarifies the foundation's strategic focus and commitment to specific types of interventions.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in Western North Carolina that enhance community services for older adults and their caregivers, focusing on health, housing, food security, transportation, mental wellness, and social connectivity.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Cumberland and surrounding counties for projects that benefit children from birth to 18 years old.

The Community Foundation of Burke County (CFBC) offers Community Grants to tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organizations that have programs benefiting the residents of Burke County. The grants aim to support programs and projects that promote cooperation and collaboration among organizations without duplicating services. Please note that proposals from outside of Burke County are not reviewed, and grants or loans to individuals are not provided. Funding guidelines for the 2024 Community Foundation Grant Cycle will be available in July 2024. For more information or inquiries, please contact the Foundation office at (828) 437-7105.

This program provides quick funding to researchers at North Carolina universities and nonprofit institutes to develop innovative life sciences projects that show strong commercial potential.

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) is accepting applications for its Highlands Community Fund, a grant program designed to support charitable purposes within the Highlands community. While the prompt asks for foundation mission alignment and strategic priorities, the provided text primarily focuses on the specifics of this particular grant program rather than the broader foundation's overarching mission or theory of change. The program itself aims to fund initiatives that demonstrate the greatest community benefit within Highlands. The primary target beneficiaries are qualified 501(c)(3), governmental, educational, and religious organizations serving Highlands, with a documented history of substantial work in the area. The impact goal is to address community needs through projects or programs that are not directed solely toward students or staff in the case of private primary and secondary schools. The grant duration is typically one year, and funds should be expended within this period. The fund generally provides grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, although the overall size of the grant is listed as $1,000 to $10,000. Key priorities for consideration include requests that exhibit the greatest community benefit. Organizations applying should consider including a letter of endorsement if another organization will benefit from the grant. Expected outcomes are tied to the successful implementation of charitable projects within the community. While the text doesn't specify measurable results, the emphasis on "greatest community benefit" suggests that successful applicants will demonstrate a clear positive impact on the Highlands community. The fund specifically does not support scholarships, annual giving campaigns, endowment funds, deficit funding or debt retirement, sectarian religious purposes, partisan political purposes, festivals or one-time events (such as exhibits, performances, or fundraisers), or private primary and secondary schools (unless projects directly address community needs). Activities or expenses incurred before grant decisions are made are also ineligible. This focus on what is not funded helps to further define the program's priorities and implicitly its theory of change, which appears to be centered on supporting ongoing, impactful community-based initiatives rather than individual or single-event funding.

The Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI) is offering its 2024 Infrastructure Grant Program, which aligns with its mission to support the viability and sustainability of historically underserved farmers and ranchers. This program aims to foster projects that enhance farm viability, create new markets for local agricultural products and services, develop innovative uses for existing farm infrastructure, add value to farm products through processing, packaging, or marketing, and optimize the use of on-farm and natural resources. Additionally, the grant supports cultural and heritage projects dedicated to preserving and continuing specific agrarian traditions, reflecting RAFI's broader commitment to a resilient and equitable food system. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are historically underserved farmers and ranchers, as defined by NRCS, who are in at least their fourth full growing season and have operated their current farm for at least two years. The program specifically targets "livelihood" farmers and ranchers who depend on agriculture for their financial support or are pursuing a long-term career in farming. Eligibility extends to individual farmer owners/co-owners or farm cooperatives, provided at least 50% of the cooperative members meet the individual eligibility criteria. The grants range from $1,000 to $10,000 and are available to farms located in specific states: AL, AR, DC, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, or VA. Funding priorities are given to proposals demonstrating a high expected impact on farm viability and sustainability, strong project feasibility, and comprehensive planning, including a clear plan, detailed budget, timeline, and all necessary supporting documentation. RAFI also prioritizes farmers who derive a significant portion of their household income from farm operations, individuals with financial need, or those located in economically disadvantaged areas. Projects that tangibly benefit the surrounding community and farms utilizing agroecological and/or ancestral farming practices are also highly favored, reflecting RAFI's strategic priorities for holistic agricultural development and community engagement. The expected outcomes of the Infrastructure Grant Program include increased farm viability and sustainability for historically underserved farmers, the establishment of new and diversified markets for local products, and the preservation of valuable agricultural traditions. Through these grants, RAFI aims to support projects that lead to concrete improvements in farm infrastructure, expanded income streams for farmers, and a stronger connection between agricultural practices and community well-being. By focusing on these outcomes, RAFI reinforces its theory of change, which posits that targeted financial support and capacity building for underserved farmers will lead to a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable agricultural landscape.

The High Point Community Foundation's grant program is designed to provide essential funding to nonprofit organizations that actively address the needs within the community. This aligns directly with the foundation's mission to support local initiatives and ensure that critical services and programs are available to those who need them most in the greater High Point area. The foundation prioritizes organizations that demonstrate a direct benefit to the community. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are primarily the residents and various groups within the greater High Point area, as the foundation emphasizes local impact. While not explicitly stated as "impact goals" or "expected outcomes" in specific metrics, the overarching goal is to support nonprofits in their efforts to respond to community needs, suggesting an expected outcome of improved well-being and enhanced services for the High Point population. The foundation's priorities and focus are clearly on local impact, with state-wide or national programs only considered if funding directly benefits the High Point area. Furthermore, there is a strong focus on ensuring the financial integrity and legitimacy of applicants, as evidenced by the detailed requirements for 501(c)(3) status and varying levels of financial statements based on annual budget size. Grantmaking restrictions highlight what the foundation will not fund, which implicitly defines their strategic priorities. They do not fund costs already incurred, endowments, loans or mortgages, sectarian or political purposes, or individuals. This indicates a strategic priority towards funding direct program and capital needs that have an immediate and tangible impact on the community, rather than administrative overheads or long-term financial instruments. The maximum grant allowed is $50,000 for program and capital requests, and the grant committee will not fund requests less than 50% of the total asked. They also implement a matching grant policy to ensure shared investment. The foundation's "theory of change," though not explicitly named as such, can be inferred as supporting local nonprofits with direct funding will empower them to effectively address community needs, leading to a stronger, more resilient High Point community. The strict guidelines regarding eligibility and financial transparency are in place to ensure that funds are responsibly allocated to organizations that can demonstrate accountability and a genuine capacity to deliver on their proposed projects, ultimately contributing to measurable positive change within the community.

The City of Spokane, through its Accounting and Grants Department, is offering a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to support community-serving organizations with capital campaign expenses. This grant program aims to provide capital dollars to help organizations secure physical locations for operation, ultimately expanding services and benefiting historically marginalized communities. The program aligns with a mission to foster community development and support vital organizations within the City of Spokane. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are 501c3 organizations registered within the City of Spokane, particularly those establishing or expanding multicultural centers. These centers must be located within city limits and dedicate over 50% of their space to outward-facing multicultural activities. The impact goal is to strengthen the infrastructure of community-serving organizations, enabling them to provide expanded and more accessible services to their target populations. The program prioritizes organizations demonstrating a clear need for a capital project, a proven history of serving historically marginalized communities, and fiscal responsibility. Key tasks for funding include strategic planning, feasibility studies, campaign implementation, and staff training related to capital campaigns. The focus is on ensuring that the funded projects are well-planned, sustainable, and directly contribute to the organization's ability to serve its community effectively. Expected outcomes include the successful implementation of capital campaigns, resulting in organizations securing or expanding their physical operating locations. Measurable results will include the completion of projects by June 30, 2026, with funds contracted by December 31, 2024. This initiative reflects a strategic priority to invest in community infrastructure and empower organizations that are vital to the social and cultural well-being of Spokane's diverse population. The theory of change is that by providing capital for physical locations, the City can enable organizations to better serve and expand their reach within the community.

The Flash Grant program, managed by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center (NCBiotech), aims to energize innovative ideas in the life sciences field that show early signs of exceptional commercial potential. Flash grants provide a quick infusion of funding at critical early stages to help shape innovative research ideas into high-potential life sciences technologies. The grants support short, focused research projects that generate initial exploratory, proof-of-concept, or feasibility data, or that conduct final experiments to advance research into the translational phase. These micro-grants target projects too early for traditional grant funding mechanisms and are available to researchers at any North Carolina university or nonprofit research institute.

The Jackson County Community Foundation is offering community grants to qualified charitable organizations that serve the local community within Jackson County, North Carolina. This grant program aligns with the foundation's mission to address a broad range of local needs, supporting essential services and development within the community. The grants are intended to foster local initiatives that improve the well-being of residents and strengthen community infrastructure across various sectors. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are diverse, encompassing individuals and groups benefiting from human services, education, youth development, health, food/nutrition, and arts programs. The impact goals are to meet a wide array of community needs, providing support to vulnerable populations, enhancing educational opportunities, promoting healthy lifestyles, and enriching cultural experiences. The foundation prioritizes organizations that are 501(c)(3) public charities, local governments (including public schools), fire and rescue departments, and religious entities engaged in social outreach programs. The program focuses on funding initiatives that provide tangible benefits to the community-at-large, with a particular emphasis on services that are accessible and non-discriminatory. Expected outcomes include improved access to essential services, enhanced community programs, and a strengthened local support network. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the range of grants, the implied results are the successful implementation of programs in the areas of human services, education, youth development, health, food/nutrition, and arts. The Jackson County Community Foundation's strategic priorities are to address local needs comprehensively through community-focused grantmaking. Their theory of change appears to be that by funding a diverse range of charitable organizations and public service entities, they can collectively create a more resilient, educated, healthy, and culturally vibrant community. The grant size typically ranges from $1,000 to $3,000, indicating a focus on supporting numerous local projects rather than a few large-scale initiatives.

This funding opportunity supports collaborative projects in Western North Carolina that address the challenges faced by communities affected by Hurricane Helene, focusing on innovative solutions in housing, education, economic opportunity, and health and wellness.