The New Hanover County Community Foundation (NHCCF) is a long-standing philanthropic entity in southeastern North Carolina, serving the local community since 1987. It originated from the former Community Foundation of Southeastern North Carolina and operates as an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation. NHCCF is managed by a local volunteer advisory board that promotes community growth by building permanent endowments, issuing grants, and providing leadership for local initiatives in New Hanover County.
For 2025, NHCCF will accept grant applications from March 21 to noon Eastern Time on April 22. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered, regardless of the reason, including technology issues. Grants are intended for qualified charitable organizations serving New Hanover County. Awards generally range from $500 to $5,000, although larger amounts may be granted to proposals demonstrating significant positive impact. In 2024, NHCCF distributed a total of $51,830 in grants through its competitive process.
Funding will be drawn from NHCCF’s community grantmaking fund, as well as from several named endowments. The Suzanne and George Taylor Endowment supports programs improving the welfare of children from birth to 18 years in New Hanover County. Applicants seeking funding from this endowment must clearly identify it in their project title. The Food Bank of Coastal Carolina Fund supports food-related services for people in need across New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick, and Columbus counties. The 1898 Memorial Fund focuses on initiatives that promote racial equity in Wilmington, and the Lucille Murchison Marvin Fund supports general charitable purposes.
Organizations must apply using the North Carolina Community Foundation’s online grant portal. First-time applicants are instructed to create a user profile as detailed in Training Module I. Returning users may log in with existing credentials. Training Module II explains how to add a grant application. All applicants are required to review and adhere to application guidelines; non-compliant submissions will not be eligible for funding.
Grant decisions are typically made around two months following the application close date. The advisory board uses the annual Community Needs Assessment to help guide its decision-making, and applicants are encouraged to consult this assessment to align their proposals with identified local priorities. For further questions or assistance during the application process, applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation's Program Officer.
