The Northern Albemarle Community Foundation (NACF), an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation (NCCF), is a regional philanthropic institution established in 2001. Its purpose is to support charitable efforts within Camden, Gates, Pasquotank, and Perquimans counties in North Carolina. NACF operates under the guidance of a local volunteer advisory board and supports local nonprofits through a competitive grantmaking process. It facilitates the creation of permanent endowment funds, makes strategic grants, and collaborates with donors and other stakeholders to strengthen community assets.
The foundation will accept grant applications from July 3, 2025, until noon Eastern Time on August 5, 2025. This deadline is strict and applies regardless of technical or submission issues. Grant decisions are typically announced about two months after the application period closes. Grants are awarded through NACF’s community grantmaking fund as well as the Judge Thomas Watts Fund, which was originally created by the Elizabeth City Jaycees, and the Winifred Jones Wood Fund. Funding is designated for qualified charitable organizations that provide services to residents within the four-county region.
Award amounts generally range between $500 and $5,000. In the 2024 grant cycle, NACF distributed $28,300 through this process. Grantmaking is informed by an annual Community Needs Assessment, which guides the board’s decisions by identifying areas of greatest need. This assessment is available at the bottom of the NACF webpage for applicants to review. Examples of past award areas include poverty alleviation, homelessness, and youth services.
To apply, organizations must use NCCF’s online grant application system. First-time applicants are required to complete Training Module I to create a profile in the system. Returning users may log in using existing credentials. Once registered, applicants should consult Training Module II for instructions on submitting a grant request. Adherence to the provided application guidelines is mandatory; applications that do not comply will not be considered for funding.
While the specific evaluation criteria are not detailed, applications are reviewed with reference to local community needs and the relevance of the proposed activities to the priorities of the fund. For questions or further assistance, applicants are encouraged to contact the NCCF Program Officer. Contact information includes the NCCF office at 3737 Glenwood Ave., Suite 460, Raleigh, NC 27612, phone number 919-828-4387 or toll-free 800-532-1349. Fax inquiries may be sent to 919-827-0749.
Applicants are urged to carefully review the application timeline, guidelines, and supporting documents before applying. Successful proposals will demonstrate alignment with local needs, clarity of purpose, and the capacity to execute the proposed activities effectively within the award limits and service geography.
