Carteret Community Foundation Grants

The Carteret Community Foundation, founded in 2005, is an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation. It is guided by a local volunteer advisory board with a mission to strengthen community assets, build permanent endowments, and leverage leadership for the benefit of Carteret County. The foundation serves as a source of grants to support a wide variety of charitable organizations within the county. It manages several funds that provide targeted support in education, conservation, and humanitarian needs, in addition to a general community grantmaking fund. The purpose of the Carteret Community Foundation’s grantmaking is to support nonprofit organizations that serve Carteret County residents. Funding is made available through a competitive application process, and applicants are required to adhere strictly to the published guidelines. The program provides financial resources to help nonprofits expand capacity, address community needs, and strengthen organizational effectiveness. Grants are not unlimited in size but typically range between $500 and $5,000, providing targeted support for projects that meet community priorities. In 2024, the foundation distributed $111,860 in competitive grant awards. In the 2025 cycle, grants will be drawn from the community grantmaking fund and three designated funds. The J. O. and Ruth Barbour Memorial Fund for Elementary Education in Carteret County supports reinforcement of basic instruction in local elementary schools, the purchase of classroom equipment, teacher compensation, and capital improvements. The J. O. and Ruth Barbour Memorial Fund for Wildlife Habitat Conservation supports conservation projects that preserve, maintain, or reestablish woodland and natural areas suitable for wildlife, with a special focus on birdlife. Pearl’s Pantry Fund addresses humanitarian needs for Carteret County residents, prioritizing projects related to food, prescription medicines, clothing, housing, families in crisis, and disaster relief. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) charitable organizations and, in the case of the elementary education fund, Carteret County Schools specifically. Organizations outside the county or those that do not serve its residents are not eligible. The foundation emphasizes that applications not adhering to guidelines will be deemed ineligible. All organizations must submit applications using the North Carolina Community Foundation’s online system. First-time applicants are required to create an account following Training Module I, while returning applicants may log in with existing credentials. Training Module II provides guidance for completing the online application. The application period for the 2025 cycle opens on July 25, 2025, and closes at noon Eastern Time on August 26, 2025. Late submissions, including those delayed by technical issues, will not be accepted. Grant decisions are typically announced about two months after the application cycle closes. The foundation relies on tools such as the annual Community Needs Assessment to help guide funding decisions, ensuring alignment with the county’s most pressing priorities. Grant cycles recur annually, with similar deadlines expected in future years. For more information or questions, applicants are encouraged to contact the North Carolina Community Foundation program office directly. General inquiries can be directed to NCCF headquarters at 3737 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 460, Raleigh, NC 27612. Applicants may also use the listed phone contacts: 919-828-4387 or 800-532-1349. Fax communications can be directed to 919-827-0749. This program is designed to ensure that Carteret County nonprofits and schools have reliable access to community-based philanthropy, reinforcing local capacity through a well-structured grantmaking process.