North Carolina Sexual Assault Program Grants

The North Carolina Sexual Assault Program Grants are administered by the North Carolina Council for Women and Youth Involvement (CFWYI), a division within the North Carolina Department of Administration. CFWYI serves as a statewide coordinating entity that provides funding, oversight, and technical assistance to organizations addressing issues affecting women and youth, including sexual violence. Through the administration of the Sexual Assault and Rape Crisis Center Fund, the division distributes state resources to eligible sexual assault and rape crisis centers across North Carolina. The program is designed to strengthen the statewide network of services available to victims of sexual violence and ensure consistent, high-quality support. The primary purpose of the Sexual Assault Program Grants is to fund local programs that provide comprehensive services to victims of sexual assault and their families. These services include maintaining a 24-hour crisis hotline, providing transportation assistance, delivering community education, offering daytime services, and ensuring access to crisis intervention and advocacy. Additional required services include hospital accompaniment and medical advocacy, ensuring that victims receive support during forensic examinations and follow-up care. Funding is distributed quarterly and is intended to supplement, not replace, other funding sources available to service providers. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and local government entities that have been operational for at least one year and provide core sexual assault services. Organizations must demonstrate that their mission includes support for victims of sexual assault and that they provide assistance in legal, medical, and community settings. Applicants are required to comply with all fiscal, administrative, and reporting requirements established by CFWYI, including audit standards, board governance, and internal control policies. Programs must also adhere to strict confidentiality requirements and ensure non-discriminatory access to services. Applications must be submitted through the North Carolina Enterprise Business Services (EBS) grant management system. Applicants are required to maintain an updated grantee profile, complete all required application forms, and upload supporting documentation. CFWYI reviews submitted applications to ensure completeness and eligibility, and applicants may be asked to provide additional information or corrections as part of the review process. The application process is aligned with the biennial funding cycle and includes both new applicants and renewal applicants. For the 2026–2027 funding cycle, the application period opened on March 27, 2026 and closes on May 8, 2026. Following submission, applications are reviewed and award decisions are expected to be issued between June 15 and June 30, 2026. Successful applicants must complete post-award requirements, including submission of a detailed budget after July 1, 2026 and execution of a grant agreement before funds are released. Funding availability is contingent upon state appropriations and budget certification. The program operates on a recurring biennial cycle, with annual opportunities for both new applicants and returning grantees. Recipients are required to meet a 20 percent match requirement for state funds unless waived and must ensure that funds are used in accordance with allowable cost guidelines. CFWYI provides ongoing monitoring, training, and technical assistance to ensure compliance and to support effective service delivery. These grants play a critical role in maintaining a coordinated and responsive system of care for victims of sexual violence across North Carolina.