Greater Cabarrus Foundation Grantmaking Program

The Greater Cabarrus Foundation is a philanthropic organization dedicated to strengthening nonprofit agencies that serve Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Its mission emphasizes addressing social determinants of health and well-being as identified by the Cabarrus Health Alliance and Healthy Cabarrus Community Needs Assessment. By aligning its grantmaking with this comprehensive community-driven assessment, the Foundation ensures that resources are directed toward the most pressing issues facing local residents. The Foundation seeks not only to address immediate community needs but also to support long-term organizational sustainability by funding operational capacity. The grantmaking program is comprised of two major opportunities. The Greatest Community Needs Grants, funded by the Greater Good Society Fund, target the most urgent challenges documented through the Cabarrus Health Alliance Community Needs Assessment. These grants are designed to be flexible and responsive, ensuring funds are directed to areas with the highest community impact. In addition, the Foundation administers Field of Interest Grants, which support nonprofits working in designated priority areas. Eligible focus areas include housing and homelessness, employment and training, food security and nutrition, healthcare, and early childhood education. Both grant types are managed through a single application process, streamlining access for nonprofit organizations. Funding is restricted to operational support, reinforcing the Foundation’s philosophy of building nonprofit capacity. Eligible uses of funds include staff salaries and wages, rent and utility expenses, and program-related supplies and materials. The Foundation explicitly excludes requests for major capital purchases or construction, debt repayment, financial obligations, or projects serving populations outside of Cabarrus County. This ensures that available resources directly strengthen the ability of nonprofits to serve residents effectively. By prioritizing operations, the Foundation recognizes the critical importance of stable, well-resourced organizations in addressing systemic community challenges. Eligibility for funding is limited to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that serve Cabarrus County residents and demonstrate alignment with one or more of the targeted social determinant areas. Applications will be evaluated based on alignment with community needs, service to Cabarrus residents, board governance practices, financial stability, and evidence of continuous quality improvement. The Grant Application Scoring Rubric further details the evaluation process, highlighting factors such as active board engagement, realistic operating budgets, diverse revenue streams, and participation in nonprofit professional development opportunities. The application process is entirely online. The application portal opened on July 1, 2025, and submissions must be received by September 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Applicants will only need to complete one application to be considered for all funding opportunities under the Foundation’s grantmaking program. Award notifications will be made between mid-November and early December 2025. Grant recipients are expected to collaborate on a joint press release with the Foundation and submit an annual report describing how funds were utilized and the outcomes achieved in addressing community needs. This reporting requirement ensures transparency and accountability while enabling the Foundation to communicate success stories that strengthen community support. Questions regarding the application process may be directed to Cindy Stone at cindy@greatercabarrusfoundation.org. While no phone number was provided in the source materials, applicants are encouraged to use the email contact for all inquiries. The Foundation emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and impact as central to its grantmaking philosophy, ensuring that funded agencies are well-positioned to improve the health, stability, and resilience of Cabarrus County.

Applications should emphasize alignment with the Cabarrus Health Alliance Community Needs Assessment and provide strong evidence of sustainability