North Carolina grants for City or township governments

This grant provides funding to local charitable organizations and nonprofits in western Rockingham County to strengthen community resources and support charitable outreach initiatives.

This grant provides financial support to charitable organizations and local entities serving the Eastern Band of Cherokees in specific North Carolina counties.

This grant provides financial support to charitable organizations in Avery County for various local needs, including education, health, youth development, and the arts.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is seeking applications for its Rural Downtown Economic Development Grants. Donor Name: North Carolina Department of Commerce State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/20/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The purpose of this program is to support downtown revitalization and economic development initiatives that are intended to help local governments grow and leverage downtown districts as assets for economic growth, economic development, and prosperity. Funding availability is at the discretion of the Rural Infrastructure Authority. RDED Grants will support projects that Provide public improvements that help retain business and attract customers to business districts. Support publicly owned downtown economic development initiatives that leverage main streets and downtown districts as economic engines. Facilitate publicly owned building improvements that are used for community-wide uses or mixed-use development in or on properties that are publicly owned and controlled. Funding Information The maximum grant amount is $850,000 per grantee and may not exceed $12,500 per projected job created or retained. Eligible Activities Public Infrastructure – Improvements to publicly owned infrastructure in a downtown district, that serves a community-wide use, such as lots, alleys, streetscapes, waterfront developments and parks. Public Buildings (Renovation or Additions) – Improvements to publicly owned buildings in a downtown district that serve a public, community-wide use, such as a community center, theater, civic center, recreation center, or library. Mixed-Use Downtown Development (Renovation or Additions) – Improvements to publicly owned property in a downtown district that may be zoned and developed for a mix of uses. The mix of use may include two or more of the following: retail, restaurant, service, professional, nonprofit, governmental, institutional, or residential. Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants are units of local government located in Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties, and rural census tracts in Tier 3 counties. For the purposes of this program, units of local government are defined as municipal or county governments within the state of North Carolina. For more information, visit NCDC.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is requesting proposals for its Rural Building Reuse Program. Donor Name: North Carolina Department of Commerce State: North Carolina County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/20/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Building Reuse Grant Program develop older buildings in your community into assets to attract new or expanding businesses with the state’s Building Reuse Program. This program provides grants to local governments, using three categories of funding for: The renovation of vacant buildings The renovation or expansion of a building occupied by an existing North Carolina company wishing to expand in their current location The renovation, expansion or construction of health care entities that will lead to the creation of new, full-time jobs. Eligible Projects And Expenses Vacant Building Category Grants are available to support the renovation of vacant buildings. The building must be vacant for at least three months prior to application deadlines. Existing Business Building Category Grants are available to support the renovation or expansion of buildings occupied by a company operating in the state of North Carolina for at least 12 months. Companies must also meet the weekly wage standard, provide at least 50% benefits to employees and be represented on the Priority Industry Table. Rural Health Category Grants are available to support the renovation, expansion or construction of health care entities. The health care entity must be licensed by the State of North Carolina. Eligible applicants are units of local government located in either a Tier 1 or Tier 2 county, or a rural census tract in a Tier 3 county. In Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties, priority will be given to towns or communities with populations less than 5,000. As prescribed in N.C.G.S. 143B-472.127(a)(2), a rural census tract is an area having a population density of less than 500 people per square mile according to the most recent decennial federal census. The program requires a cash match equal to the grant request amount. The local government must contribute at least 5% of the cash match. The cash match shall come from local resources and may not be derived from other State or federal grant funds. For more information, visit NCDC.

The Golden LEAF Foundation is currently accepting applications for the Open Grants Program. Donor Name: Golden LEAF Foundation State: North Carolina County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/20/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Priority Areas This program is for economic development projects aligned with the Golden LEAF priority areas. Job Creation and Economic Investment Workforce Preparedness Agriculture The Golden LEAF Foundation is committed to using the funds entrusted to it for projects that show the most potential for strengthening North Carolina’s economy, especially in tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and/or rural communities. Funding Information The Golden LEAF Board has indicated that most awards in the Open Grants Program will be for $200,000 or less. For projects that have certain characteristics, Golden LEAF will make awards of up to $500,000 from this program. Competitive Projects Competitive applications for projects include requests for funds to: Develop and implement a new workforce training program to meet demand from local employers Implement a career pathway at a high school for a high demand field Extend water, sewer, or road infrastructure to a site to enable industrial development that will create full-time jobs Support the development of new crops, expand markets for agriculture products, or provide training for farmers. Characteristics of Open Grants Projects Eligible for Funding of More Than $200,000 Golden LEAF expects that most grants in the Open Grants Program will be for $200,000 or less, and grants of more than $200,000 will be infrequent. To determine which projects will be eligible for consideration for an award of more than $200,000, Golden LEAF requires that the project include one or more of these characteristics: The applicant can clearly demonstrate and explain how the applicant would be able to achieve additional outcomes as a direct result of receiving more than $200,000 in funding, and the additional outcomes are commensurate with the additional funding. The project results from a planning process involving multiple organizations and members of the community that the project will serve, e.g., employers, and those organizations and individuals continue to be engaged in and will provide support to the project. The additional funding will build on a history of success and allow the applicant to scale a project to significantly increase the outcomes the project can achieve. The project is collaborative and includes some features that make the collaboration particularly compelling, such as the following characteristics: The collaboration is uncommon and includes innovative approaches. Golden LEAF funding will enable or encourage the collaboration. The project is regional, i.e., involves organizations in more than one county. A Golden LEAF award would leverage significant funding from other organizations, i.e., Golden LEAF is a small but important part of a larger project. The applicant has limited resources and has made efforts to secure funding from other sources. Implementing the project in phases would compromise its outcomes. Eligibility Criteria  Eligible applicants are governmental entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit Golden LEAF Foundation.

The 2024 Women in Motion Grant is a capacity-building grant offering operational funding to an organization serving women in the greater High Point community, including Archdale, Trinity, Thomasville, and Jamestown. Eligible organizations must have existed for five years or less or have an operational budget of $100,000 or less. The grant focuses on enabling women in the workforce to achieve economic and professional growth, with areas of focus including education, mentorship, resources, and wellness. The maximum grant request amount is $10,000. Women in Motion seeks to partner with community organizations to create solutions that support women's economic and professional growth, leading to increased leadership roles. The grant supports organizations that help women negotiate and advocate for themselves, provide networking and growth opportunities, tap into community resources for professional success, and balance personal wellness with professional demands.

The High Point Community Foundation seeks to provide critical funding to nonprofits that respond to the needs in community. Donor Name: High Point Community Foundation State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funding Information The maximum allowed will be $50,000 for grant requests both program and capital. Guidelines No waivers or exceptions to the policies set forth here will be allowed. Schools that are applying for a grant must have a project that will impact the entire school and not just a single classroom. They must also have the approval of their school principal. Only one grant request per organization is permitted. The Grants Committee will allow multiple schools and multiple departments within a municipality to apply, but has the ultimate decision authority. Nonprofit organizations must have their own 501(c)(3) status by the deadline of the grant application. During the review process, any grant request that the Committee cannot agree to fund to at least 50% of their total request will not be funded. If a grant is made as a “matching grant” the Foundation will not release a check to the grantee until the match has been made. Grantmaking Restrictions The High Point Community Foundation does not make grants for the following: costs already incurred, endowments, loans or mortgages, sectarian purposes, political purposes, or to individuals. State wide or national programs will not be considered unless funding is sought for a portion of the program that directly benefits the greater High Point area. Organizations may not submit more than application for funding per grant cycle and must have its own 501(c)(3). No waivers or exceptions will be allowed. All organizations must provide the appropriate annual financial statements using the following guidelines approved by the Board of Trustees: Grant applicants having an annual budget of $100,000 or less shall attach a copy of the most recent tax return (Form 990) or postcard which has been filed with the IRS. Grant applicants having an annual budget of more than $100,000 but less than $200,000 should attach a copy of the most recent federal tax return (Form 990) which has been filed with the IRS, which has been prepared and signed by an independent CPA, and a copy of financial statements together with a compilation report by an independent CPA. Grant applicants having an annual budget of more than $200,000 but less than $400,000 should attach a copy of the most recent federal tax return (Form 990) which has been filed with the IRS and has been prepared and signed by an independent CPA, and a copy of financial statements together with a review report by and independent CPA. Grant applicants having an annual budget of $400,000 or more should attach a copy of the most recent federal tax return (Form 990) which has been filed with the IRS and has been prepared and signed by an independent CPA, and a copy of financial statements together with an audit report by an independent CPA. Electronic signatures are now acceptable as previously approved. For more information, visit High Point Community Foundation.

The Women’s Fund makes annual grants of up to $15,000 for organizations building economic security for women and girls in Forsyth County, North Carolina. Donor Name: The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem State: North Carolina County: Forsyth County (NC) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Based on research findings from 2020 Through A Gender Lens report and insights as a funding initiative, they know that systemic barriers have led to the gender and racial disparities they see in the community. They also acknowledge the challenges faced by smaller, newer, or women of color-led organizations in securing grant funding.  With this in mind, they prioritize funding for organizations that:  have an annual revenue of $250,000 or less. are led by women of color (more than 50% of decision-makers identify as women of color). actively engage women or girls in the design or implementation of their program or project.  Focus Areas  By supporting programs that create opportunities to improve the economic, educational, physical health, and emotional well-being of women and girls, they can improve the overall quality of life in the community. Eligibility Criteria They support grant proposals that: focus on increasing economic security and or mobility for women and girls. benefit and positively impact women and girls. are making an impact in Forsyth County, NC. are implemented by a 501 (c)(3) organization, a government or public agency, or a faith-based organization. (Organizations that do not have a 501(c)(3) may utilize an organization with one to serve as its fiscal agent.) For more information, visit TWF.

The Student STEM Enrichment Program (SSEP) supports diverse programs with a common goal: to enable primary and secondary students to participate in creative, hands-on STEM activities for K-12 students and pursue inquiry-based exploration in BWF’s home state of North Carolina. Donor Name: Burroughs Wellcome Fund State: North Carolina County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/11/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: These awards provide up to $60,000 per year for three years. Since the program’s inception in 1996, BWF has awarded 288 grants totaling $43.3 million to 136 organizations that reach more than 43,000 North Carolina students. Program Goals In line with the mission of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, projects that are funded under SSEP must seek to attain three goals: improving students’ competence in science and mathematics nurturing student enthusiasm for science and mathematics interesting students in pursuing careers in research or other science-related areas. Funding Information The grant provides up to $60,000 per year for three years for a maximum of $180,000. Eligibility Criteria  The Student STEM Enrichment Program (SSEP) is open to nonprofit organizations in North Carolina. Eligible organizations include public and private schools, colleges and universities, community groups, museums, zoos, scientific groups, and others that can provide experiential activities for K-12 North Carolina students. Individuals and nonprofit organizations that offer religious programming are not eligible for SSEP awards. Guidelines  Successful projects generally include the following examples of activities to achieve these goals: helping students learn the basic process skills in scientific inquiry—observing, comparing, measuring (using apparatus), communicating, analyzing, generating, and evaluating providing students with opportunities that will increase their insight into and appreciation of the investigative process supplying students with STEM-related career information and introducing career prospects connecting science and mathematics to students’ daily lives and providing an opportunity to use technology in project activities enabling students to interact with scientists and other STEM professionals providing students with opportunities to explain their knowledge of STEM to others providing guidance on how students may connect with other ongoing STEM-related programs involving parents in program activities For more information, visit Burroughs Wellcome Fund.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation is seeking applications to expand access to mental and behavioral health services and resources for youth through models that are effective in the short term (1-3 years), and which leverage a trained workforce that goes beyond specialty trained behavioral health care clinical and professional roles. Donor Name: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation State: North Carolina County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/09/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The trained workforce may include a variety of health and other professionals who regularly work with or on behalf of youth and are trained to identify, understand, and respond to the signs/symptoms of distress, trauma, mental health changes, or substance use and provide initial support and connection to resources for youth. Approaches should be effective at engaging communities that have significant barriers in access to care and may operate in communities, schools, health systems, faith-based settings, or other settings. Funding may support, among other things, strengthening organizational capacity or infrastructure, connecting care across settings, increasing access to training opportunities, and/or increasing access to culturally and linguistically relevant resources and materials for youth mental and behavioral health. Funding Information To support a variety of approaches, proposals can range from $75,000 to $500,000 per year, for up to three years. Grant Period Grant start date By November 1, 2024. Grant end date By November 30, 2027. Eligibility Criteria  Organization Size There are no limitations or minimum requirements with regard to an entities’ operating budget. Organizations of all sizes are eligible to apply. Organization Type Nonprofit: An organization that is exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is classified as “not a private foundation” under Section 509(a). Fiscally sponsored program: A group or project with a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization acting as a fiscal sponsor. Please note that the fiscal sponsor is considered the grantee and is responsible for all legal aspects of the project including reporting and financial management. Government entity or public instrumentality: This can include schools, tribal governments, etc. Coalitions: Applications involving more than one group or organization are welcome; however, one organization will be the recipient of the grant and must meet any of the criteria above. If a coalition applicant is invited for a finalist conversation, all coalition partners are expected to participate in the interview. Letters of support are not required for application submission. Organizations and coalitions of any size are eligible to apply if the other eligibility criteria have been met. For more information, visit BCBSNCF.

The Asheville Area Arts Council is seeking applications for its Arts for Schools to provide in school arts programming for students attending economically disadvantaged schools. Donor Name: Asheville Area Arts Council State: North Carolina County: Buncombe County (NC) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/17/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Arts for Schools grant program helps Buncombe County nonprofit arts organizations and teaching artists provide arts focused performances, workshops, residencies, field trips for students attending Buncombe County and City of Asheville K-12 public schools. For a limited time, this grant will also include support for arts focused afterschool and camp programs. Funding Information Grants for in school programs range from $500-$2,000, and grants for out of school programs range from $500-$5,000. Program must take place between July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025. Eligibility Criteria Applicants must be located in Buncombe County for at least 1 year. Applicants must be a 501c3 nonprofit arts organization OR a qualified teaching artist. Qualified Teaching Artist- To be considered a qualified teaching artist, you must have either a BA or BFA in their specific art form, or an equivalent in training and experience. Must have at least 5 years of experience working in arts education. Programs must serve students in Buncombe County or City of Asheville K-12 public schools. Programs must be free for students and schools (this could include providing a specific number of scholarships). Align with North Carolina’s Common Core curriculum and Essential Standards For in school programs: A school partnership agreement form is required as part of your application. For out of school programs: Applicants are ineligible to apply if they already receive funding for the proposed arts-focused program from Dogwood Health Trust’s WNC After 3pm initiative. For camps: Only 501c3 nonprofit arts organizations may apply for funding for camps, and the camp must be a program of that arts nonprofit. For more information, visit ArtsAVL.

Brunswick Electric Membership Corp. (BEMC) offers Community Grants for a wide array of programs within its service areas, including Brunswick and Columbus counties, as well as parts of Bladen and Robeson counties in North Carolina. These grants support various initiatives, such as family service programs, civic and community programs, cultural and arts programs, emergency services, and economic development activities aimed at enhancing the community's well-being. The grant aims to fund projects and programs that offer significant benefits to the BEMC service area, prioritizing those that cater to families, children, the elderly, and economic health. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadline: December 1st to February 15th.

This grant provides financial support for innovative projects that improve health, education, and cultural resources, as well as assist those in need within the Black Mountain and Swannanoa Valley community.

The Green Neighborhood Grant Program seeks to help bring neighbors together to pursue projects which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create natural areas that are more resilient to the impacts of climate change, and ultimately benefit the entire community. Donor Name: Town of Carrboro State: North Carolina Town: Carrboro Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  05/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Goals Educate and empower neighborhoods to address climate change. Build neighborhood capacity to engage in climate action. Develop and enhance community and Town partnerships. Leverage Town and neighborhood involvement and resources Distribute resources to low-income communities and communities of color who are disproportionately affected by climate change. Funding Information Maximum grant amount: $2,500. Eligible Projects Projects that demonstrate shared benefits with a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and/or contributing to ecosystem resiliency. All projects must achieve the following: Reduce emissions, enhance ecosystem resiliency, or contribute to climate action awareness or engagement Be completed within six months of grant award Be initiated, planned, and implemented by community members Obtain Town permits required for construction, if applicable. Any contractors must carry required insurance. Group/fiscal agent must obtain adequate liability insurance if deemed necessary by the Town (e.g. event insurance) Eligibility Criteria Neighborhoods must be located within Carrboro’s Town Limits. Applicants may apply for funding in two consecutive grant cycles. Applicants who have not been awarded a grant will be provided with information from project evaluation to help develop a better application. For more information, visit Town of Carrboro.

This program provides cash incentives to companies that create jobs and invest in North Carolina, encouraging them to expand or establish facilities in the state.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state, regional, and local economic development organizations to create full-time jobs in economically distressed areas of North Carolina.