Community Grant Program

The Cumberland Community Foundation (CCF) offers the Community Grants Program, supported by a combination of unrestricted and field-of-interest endowment funds established by donors who wish to leave a legacy or memorialize loved ones. These funds are pooled to provide financial support for nonprofit organizations serving the Cumberland County, North Carolina community. Grants are awarded to programs and projects that advance the foundation’s mission of improving the quality of life in the region through innovative and impactful initiatives. CCF's unrestricted endowment funds are directed toward programs and projects that offer broad community benefits. Specifically, they prioritize efforts that enhance the general well-being of Cumberland County residents, foster collaborative community-wide initiatives, utilize resources efficiently for long-term impact, and deliver innovative solutions to pressing local challenges. The goal is to support organizations whose work leads to sustained, measurable improvement across multiple sectors within the county. In parallel, CCF administers field-of-interest endowments that have been designated to support targeted areas of focus as identified by donors. These areas include healthy community initiatives, education, the arts, senior quality of life, environmental stewardship, historic preservation, the advancement of women and girls, support for low-income families, and other innovative projects aimed at advancing community progress. Grants from these funds are awarded annually to the most promising opportunities aligned with each focus area. To guide potential applicants, CCF hosts optional but highly recommended Grantseeker Information Meetings. These sessions offer nonprofit representatives a comprehensive overview of eligibility criteria, funding priorities, and an online application walkthrough. Attendance is not mandatory but is encouraged for new applicants and returning grantees seeking to strengthen their proposals. Eligibility requirements for the Community Grants Program are clearly defined. Applicants must be based in and serve Cumberland County, North Carolina, and maintain a governing or advisory board located within the county. Eligible organizations must qualify as a tax-exempt public charity under Sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) or (a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or be a recognized unit of government, including Native American tribal governments. Additionally, applicants must have a valid Charitable Solicitation License or exemption from the North Carolina Secretary of State and adhere to nondiscriminatory practices across various protected categories. Certain types of requests are not eligible for funding. These include applications from organizations serving as pass-through re-granters, event sponsorships, grants to individuals, deficit budget support, political advocacy projects, scholarship programs, and faith-based organizations applying under the Community Grants Program. Notably, faith-based entities may still receive funding from donor-advised or designated endowments. Preference is given to nonprofits governed by boards located in Cumberland County that operate according to the Principles & Practices for Nonprofit Excellence developed by the NC Center for Nonprofits. Information on funding amounts, application timelines, and renewal cycles was not included in the source and should be confirmed with the foundation directly.