CRC Project Grants

The City of Hickory Community Relations Council (CRC) is inviting applications for project grants to be awarded during the 2025–2026 fiscal year. With a long-standing history of over 60 years of grantmaking, the CRC seeks to fund programs that promote positive human relations and bridge divides among diverse communities in Hickory, North Carolina. The CRC's overarching mission is to foster inclusivity, mutual understanding, and cooperation among all sub-communities in the city through impactful, community-driven initiatives. Eligible applicants include nonprofit agencies, churches, institutions, schools, and individuals. Proposals must demonstrate strong potential for social impact, especially in promoting diversity, equity, and meaningful cross-community engagement. Preference will be given to projects that benefit underserved populations or foster collaboration across multiple local agencies to avoid duplication of services. All applicants must be tax-exempt or operate under a qualified fiscal sponsor. Grant requests must be completed in full and approved by the head of the applying organization. Applications are accepted twice annually. For the Fall 2025 cycle, the submission deadline is Friday, October 10, 2025, at 12:00 PM. Applicants must submit 15 hard copies of the completed application by mail, addressed to the CRC using the address listed on the official application form. Application forms are available online at www.hickorync.gov/community-relations-council or by contacting Lieutenant Justin Levey of the Hickory Police Department, who serves as the staff liaison. All applicants are encouraged to attend a grant workshop on Monday, September 22, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. This session, held in the upstairs conference room at Patrick Beaver Memorial Library, provides an opportunity for prospective applicants to ask questions and receive assistance with their applications. Funds may not be used for salaries or construction projects, nor can they be applied toward promoting political or religious ideologies. However, they may be used for contracts for services or specific honoraria. Applicants are encouraged to provide matching funds, as priority will be given to projects demonstrating financial collaboration. Award recipients must submit a report detailing how funds were used and may be invited to present their outcomes at a CRC meeting. The CRC also reserves the right to audit the use of grant funds to ensure compliance. Grant recipients must publicly acknowledge support from the City of Hickory Community Relations Council in all promotional and outreach materials. Logos will be provided to facilitate this requirement. The CRC may fund projects either partially or in full based on alignment with program priorities and available funding.

Applicants are encouraged to attend the grant workshop on September 22, 2025, from 5–7 PM at Patrick Beaver Memorial Library for assistance. 15 paper copies of the application must be submitted. Use of CRC and City of Hickory logos in publicity is required.