Community Grants Program

The Community Grants Program, administered by The Endowment (New Hanover Community Endowment), is designed to invest in organizations that strengthen New Hanover County, North Carolina. With a focus on four strategic pillars—Social & Health Equity, Education, Community Safety, and Community Development—the program supports initiatives that address critical community needs and promote measurable improvements in residents' quality of life. The Endowment commits $1 million annually to this initiative, divided across two competitive funding cycles. This grant opportunity offers flexible funding ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 per award. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, public charities, universities and higher education institutions, and public agencies, including departments at the state, county, and local levels. Each applicant organization may submit only one application per cycle. Organizations that do not meet all eligibility or documentation requirements may still apply through a fiscal sponsor. Additional requirements apply in such cases, including submission of the fiscal sponsor’s incorporation documents, board list, financials, IRS letter, and a signed agreement. Applications for the Spring 2026 cycle opened on January 5, 2026, and will close on February 6, 2026. The Fall 2026 cycle is scheduled to open on July 13, 2026, and will close on August 14, 2026. Applications must be submitted through the online Fluxx portal, with all required documentation uploaded before the posted deadline. Required documents include organizational articles of formation, board affiliations, current fiscal year operating budget, audited or unaudited financial statements (depending on availability), IRS Form 990, and IRS determination letter. If any documentation is missing, the application score may be affected, and fiscal sponsorship will be required. There is no letter of inquiry (LOI) or concept paper required prior to applying. However, The Endowment offers regular Zoom office hours throughout each cycle (e.g., Mondays and Fridays during the Spring 2026 window) to support applicants with eligibility questions, technical issues, and guidance on application components. These sessions offer short 20-minute windows and are open throughout the application window. Projects funded through this program must have a charitable purpose and must directly benefit or serve residents of New Hanover County. While organizations based outside the county may apply, their proposals must demonstrate impact within the county. Arts and culture organizations may also apply, provided the proposed project aligns with The Endowment’s strategic pillars. Projects centered on artistic performance or exhibition should instead apply to the separate Arts & Culture Grants Program administered by the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County. Reviewers prioritize applications that clearly articulate the community need, define the target population, outline intended outcomes, and present a detailed budget aligned with the proposal. The proposal must describe what the project will do, who it will serve, how funds will be used, and what results are expected. Incomplete applications or misalignment with stated pillars will impact scoring. The Endowment encourages early submission to allow time for troubleshooting and review.

Ensure pillar alignment and complete documentation; submit early to avoid technical issues.