The Women’s Fund of North Carolina

The Women’s Fund of North Carolina, a program of the North Carolina Community Foundation (NCCF), is dedicated to addressing the evolving challenges faced by women and girls across North Carolina. The Fund was established with a mission to create a permanent endowment that improves the quality of life for women and girls throughout the state. It also seeks to promote philanthropic giving among women and to influence broader funding priorities toward women-centered initiatives. Operated within the NCCF network, the Fund functions with a statewide focus and a commitment to equity, particularly supporting organizations led by women of color and those identifying with historically marginalized populations. In 2026, the Fund will issue grants that target the pressing issue of housing security for women. The Fund defines housing security as ensuring that every person has financial, legal, and practical access to a home in which they can live with dignity. This thematic focus aligns with recent funding efforts; in 2025, $20,000 was awarded to initiatives aligned with this priority. Grants are available to nonprofit organizations working within any of North Carolina’s counties served by the NCCF network. There is an explicit preference for applicants whose leadership includes women of color or members of historically marginalized groups. However, applicants who received funding in the prior year (2025) are not eligible to reapply in the 2026 cycle. Applications will be accepted beginning August 7, 2026, and will close at noon on September 8, 2026. All applications must be submitted through the NCCF’s Grant Application Portal. New applicants must first follow Training Module I to create a user profile, while returning applicants should log in using existing credentials. All users are required to follow the instructions in Training Module II to submit their application. Failure to adhere to the stated application guidelines will result in disqualification. The grant review process is managed by a committee comprising representatives from NCCF’s giving circles, who are responsible for evaluating applications and determining award recipients. Grant awards typically range from $1,500 to $5,000. While the Fund’s 2025 awards totaled $20,000, the 2026 total program funding has not yet been publicly disclosed. Applications are limited to organizations that align with the Fund’s mission and that serve the defined geographic area. Additional eligibility requirements are provided in the application guidelines, which applicants must read prior to submission. Applicants can expect to receive a decision within 90 days following the deadline. The Fund encourages organizations to carefully review the eligibility and application instructions, particularly as they pertain to preference for leadership demographics and service alignment. For questions or further information, prospective applicants are advised to contact the Fund at [email protected]. No PDF version of the application guidelines or solicitation was included in the source material. Instead, all application procedures and supporting details are accessible through the Foundation’s online Grant Application Portal.