Franklin County Community Foundation Grant

The Franklin County Community Foundation (FCCF), established in 1991, operates as an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation (NCCF). As a local philanthropic organization, FCCF is led by a volunteer advisory board and functions as a source of grants for charitable organizations serving Franklin County, North Carolina. FCCF's mission centers on building community assets through the creation of permanent endowments and making grants to support local nonprofit and charitable initiatives. FCCF administers two primary grant programs: the Community Grantmaking Fund and the Franklin County Education Fund Endowment. Each year, FCCF opens its competitive grant cycle to qualified charitable organizations. For the 2026 cycle, applications are being accepted from April 3, 2026, until noon Eastern Time on May 5, 2026. Late submissions, including those affected by technical issues, are not accepted under any circumstances. Grant awards typically range from $500 to $1,000 for the Community Grantmaking Fund and from $1,000 to $2,000 for the Franklin Education Fund. In 2025, FCCF awarded over $6,000 in total funding. Grants may be awarded for general operating support or for specific projects, and recent recipients included organizations focused on literacy, hygiene, legal aid, STEAM education, and pet welfare. Applications must adhere to the program guidelines provided through NCCF's centralized Grant Application Portal. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) public charities, organizations with a fiscal sponsor that is a registered 501(c)(3), local government entities including public schools, fire and rescue departments, and religious entities offering non-doctrinal community benefit programs. Religious institutions may not apply for general operating support. All applicants must serve Franklin County, North Carolina, and provide programs without discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, or other protected characteristics. The submission process is managed through the NCCF portal. First-time applicants must follow Training Module I to create an account, while returning applicants can log in directly. Both new and returning users should review Training Module II for instructions on submitting a grant application. Applicants are strongly advised to read the full grant guidelines before beginning their application, as non-compliant submissions will be deemed ineligible. Decisions are generally announced approximately two months after the application deadline. There is no pre-application phase, such as a letter of intent. Awards are determined with reference to the Community Needs Assessment, an annual tool used by the advisory board to align funding with the county’s most pressing issues. For additional guidance, applicants may contact Kelly Lee, Program Officer for Central NC, by email or phone.