The Burke Youth Organized Philanthropists (BYOP) is a youth-led grantmaking program operating under the Community Foundation of Burke County (CFBC). Its mission is to engage and empower youth through service and learning to strengthen the community. In line with this mission, BYOP provides grants to tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations that work to improve the lives of children aged 0-18 and their families in Burke County, North Carolina. The grants will prioritize programs that focus on addressing mental health challenges affecting children and families. The grants typically range up to $1,000.
The funding is geographically restricted to Burke County, and only programs directly benefiting the county will be considered. Eligible programs should respect diversity, avoid duplicating existing services, and may focus on providing access to the arts for children. Funding will not be provided for school-specific projects, annual or capital campaigns, religious or political purposes, individual scholarships, non-501(c)(3) organizations, endowment augmentation, or underwriting of fundraising events.
The grant application process opens on February 14, 2025, and closes on March 14, 2025, at 5:00 P.M. Applications must be submitted online through CFBC’s Foundant grant management system. Organizations that have previously applied for grants from CFBC, BYOP, Mull Foundation, Rostan Family Foundation, Rotary Club of Morganton, or the Burke Women’s Fund (BWF) will log into the system using their existing accounts. New applicants will need to create an account to access the application form.
Applicants must complete and submit all required information and supporting documents through the online system. Files should be in Microsoft Word, Excel, or PDF formats, and only one file can be uploaded per question. If multiple documents need to be submitted for a single question, they must be combined into one file. A "Fax to File" option is available for applicants who need to convert hard copy documents into electronic files.
The grant applications will be reviewed by the BYOP, which will make final recommendations to the CFBC Board of Directors. Award decisions will be announced in late May 2025. Awarded projects must be completed, and all funds expended, by October 31, 2025. Additional assistance for applicants is available through the CFBC office, which can be reached at 828-437-7105. Applicants are encouraged to download and retain copies of all submitted materials for their records.
