Carolina Hurricanes Foundation Grassroots Grant

The Grassroots Grants program is an initiative of the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation, a charitable arm of the Carolina Hurricanes Hockey Club. The Foundation focuses its philanthropic efforts on meeting the health and educational needs of children, especially those from underserved communities, and on supporting the development and accessibility of youth hockey in North Carolina. This program reflects the organization’s broader commitment to giving back to the community where the team lives, works, and plays. The Grassroots Grants are designed to support nonprofit organizations operating within North Carolina that align closely with the Foundation’s mission. Specifically, the grants are intended for nonprofits that serve children in areas of health and education, particularly those who are underserved, or that contribute to the strengthening of youth hockey programs. To qualify for funding, organizations must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in good standing with the IRS, have been in operation for at least three years, directly serve children within North Carolina, and be willing to accommodate site visits, provide use-of-funds reports, and publicly recognize the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation as a donor. Grant funding is offered in three distinct tiers—$10,000, $15,000, and $20,000. Organizations may only apply for one funding level per grant cycle. The Foundation does not guarantee a specific number of awards at each tier; instead, it assesses the number based on available funds during each annual cycle. Funding may not be used for general operating expenses, staff salaries, capital campaigns, endowments, reserve funds, or event sponsorships such as galas, awareness walks, or golf tournaments. Additionally, funding is not available to PTAs, booster clubs, churches, or political organizations. The 2025-26 grant application cycle closed on April 30, 2025, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Organizations that were not selected are encouraged to reapply in the following year, as the application process is competitive and the demand typically exceeds the available funding. While no pre-application documents such as letters of intent are required, the Foundation emphasizes that groups should ensure alignment with their mission and be prepared for post-award reporting and recognition commitments. Applications are reviewed based on how closely they align with the Foundation’s focus areas, their demonstrated impact on children’s health and education, and the potential to strengthen youth hockey programs. The Foundation accepts a broad range of proposals but prioritizes those that offer direct, tangible benefits to the youth population in North Carolina. Given the highly competitive nature of the program, organizations are encouraged to ensure their submissions clearly communicate their intended impact and alignment with the Foundation’s values. For inquiries regarding the grant process, organizations may contact the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation via email at [email protected]. Although the current cycle is closed, organizations may look forward to the next opportunity expected to open in Spring 2026, maintaining a general annual recurrence. Future updates and application guidelines are likely to be published on the Foundation’s official website.