Onslow Caring Communities Foundation Grant

The Onslow Caring Communities Foundation (OCCF) is a philanthropic institution established in 2000 and serves as a local affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation (NCCF). As a grantmaking body, OCCF provides funding to charitable organizations operating in Onslow County, North Carolina. A volunteer advisory board comprised of local leaders helps manage the foundation's operations, directs grant distribution, and contributes to long-term community development by building endowment assets and supporting a broad range of needs. For the upcoming grant cycle, OCCF will accept applications from March 27, 2026, through noon Eastern Time on April 28, 2026. Submissions received after this deadline—including those affected by technical issues—will not be considered. The foundation welcomes applications from 501(c)(3) public charities, organizations with fiscal sponsors, local governments (including schools), fire and rescue departments, and faith-based organizations offering secular programs for the broader community. Religious entities may not request support for general operations or sectarian activities. Applicants must adhere to non-discrimination standards and serve communities within the foundation’s geographic reach. Funding is available through multiple streams, including OCCF’s community grantmaking fund and two named endowments: the Onslow County Youth Fund, supporting youth-focused initiatives, and the Dallas Fred Allen Endowment, which supports animal welfare and humane treatment programs. The latter endowment also includes up to $10,000 in funding specifically designated for capacity building among animal welfare nonprofits, defined as training and education initiatives that enhance organizational effectiveness, leadership, and fundraising. The typical grant range is $750 to $5,000. However, larger requests may be considered for projects with strong potential for positive, measurable community impact. In 2025, OCCF distributed $103,920 through this competitive program. Both program-specific and general operating support are considered unless restricted by the source of funding. Exclusions include political activities, reimbursement for past expenses, faith-based operations limited to members of a particular religion, and regranting to other organizations. Applicants must use NCCF’s Grant Application Portal and follow the appropriate training modules. First-time users should complete Training Module I to create a profile; existing users may log in directly and use Training Module II to start a new application. Those applying for capacity building support must indicate this in the “Proposal Summary” section and respond to an additional prompt. Funding decisions are generally announced two months after the application deadline, and OCCF uses a Community Needs Assessment to inform decisions. Interested applicants may contact the regional Community Leadership Officer for further guidance.

Applicants must adhere to all guidelines or risk ineligibility; Capacity building requests should be clearly articulated in the Proposal Summary.