Lee County Community Foundation Grant

The Lee County Community Foundation (LCCF), established in 1997, is a philanthropic affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation. The foundation serves as a grantmaking body and a partner for donors committed to supporting charitable causes in Lee County, North Carolina. Governed by a volunteer advisory board composed of local leaders, LCCF works to build community assets through the establishment of permanent endowments, leadership initiatives, and a competitive grantmaking process aimed at enhancing the well-being of the Lee County community. The LCCF grant cycle for 2026 runs from March 20, 2026, through noon Eastern Time on April 21, 2026. All applications must be submitted via the North Carolina Community Foundation’s Grant Application Portal. Late submissions, including those impacted by technical difficulties, will not be accepted. This grant cycle supports eligible 501(c)(3) charitable organizations and other qualified entities serving the residents of Lee County. In the previous year, LCCF awarded $90,000 in grants through this competitive process. Grants are awarded from several endowments under the LCCF umbrella, including the Community Grantmaking Fund and five named endowments: the Betty Sauls Memorial Endowment; Lisa Lynn McBryde Memorial Endowment, which is devoted specifically to improving the lives of children in Lee County; the Margaret L. and Calvin G. Caviness Endowment; the Warren and Imogene Kinder Owens Memorial Endowment; and the William J. and Emily G. Womble Endowment. Grant amounts typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, and funding is made available to support a wide range of charitable purposes aligned with community needs. To be eligible, applicants must be either 501(c)(3) organizations, fiscally sponsored entities with compliant documentation, local governments including public schools, fire and rescue departments, or religious entities offering social services that benefit the general public. Religious organizations may not apply for general operating support. All applicants must offer programs that serve Lee County and must not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, ethnicity, or any other protected category. Applications must be submitted through the NCCF Grant Application Portal. First-time users must follow the instructions in Training Module I to establish a profile, while returning applicants should log in using existing credentials. Once logged in, all applicants are instructed to follow Training Module II to complete and submit their grant applications. Applicants are advised to read the complete guidelines before applying, as incomplete or non-compliant applications will be excluded from consideration. The review process incorporates findings from the annual Community Needs Assessment to inform board decisions. Most funding determinations are announced approximately two months following the application deadline. For any questions or assistance, applicants are directed to contact the appropriate Program Officer listed on the NCCF website.