The Triangle Community Foundation’s Education & Youth grant program supports nonprofit organizations serving youth ages 5 to 24 in the Triangle area of North Carolina. This program is part of the Foundation’s larger Education & Youth Impact Area, which has been in place since 2020 to foster leadership, academic achievement, and equitable access to post-secondary opportunities. The initiative is built on the belief that young people are not only the future of the community but also present-day leaders deserving of support and partnership.
In the 2025 grant cycle, the Foundation is offering $40,000 grants distributed over two years ($20,000 per year) in general operating support to qualifying nonprofits. Up to 15 two-year grants are expected to be awarded. Funded organizations must align with one or more of the program’s three primary goals: increasing the number of youth-led or youth-informed initiatives, increasing the percentage of youth completing their current educational track, and expanding the number of youth accessing and completing post-secondary education.
Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored projects that are based in and serve youth in one or more of the following counties: Chatham, Durham, Orange, or Wake. Organizations must meet the Foundation’s non-discrimination policy. Only one application per organization will be considered during each grant cycle.
The proposal process opens on September 3, 2025, and the application deadline is October 6, 2025, at 11:59 PM. A virtual informational session is scheduled for September 15 to assist prospective applicants. Funding decisions will be announced by January 15, 2026. Grantees will be required to submit an interim report by December 2026 and a final report by February 2028. The Foundation plans to continue this program with a call for proposals every other year.
Proposals will be reviewed by Foundation staff and an advisory committee that includes youth representatives. Applications will be evaluated on how well the organization aligns with program goals, its level of youth and family engagement, how it supports youth well-being and academic success, and its overall financial health. The Foundation emphasizes the importance of programs that foster youth leadership and responsiveness to community needs.
Applicants with questions are encouraged to contact Katherin Castillo, the Foundation’s Scholarship and Program Officer, at katherin@trianglecf.org or 919-474-8370 ext. 4006. The Foundation encourages all applicants to review eligibility criteria carefully and reach out early in the process with questions.
Review impact goals in advance, attend the virtual info session, and ensure clear connections between proposed work and youth outcomes. Submit by 11:59 PM on October 6, 2025.
