North Carolina Arts Grants

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation is offering a grant program aimed at expanding access to mental and behavioral health services and resources for youth. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians by focusing on critical health needs. The program seeks to support models that are effective in the short term (1-3 years) and leverage a trained workforce beyond traditional specialty-trained clinical roles. This strategic approach emphasizes immediate impact and sustainable community engagement, reflecting a theory of change that posits empowering a broader range of professionals will lead to more accessible and responsive mental health support for young people. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are youth in North Carolina, particularly those in communities facing significant barriers to accessing care. The program aims to address the critical need for mental and behavioral health support by increasing the availability of resources and services. Impact goals include fostering early identification of distress, trauma, mental health changes, or substance use among youth, and facilitating their connection to appropriate resources. The foundation prioritizes approaches that engage diverse communities and can operate in various settings, such as communities, schools, health systems, and faith-based organizations. The program's priorities include strengthening organizational capacity and infrastructure, connecting care across different settings, increasing access to training opportunities for a diverse workforce, and enhancing the availability of culturally and linguistically relevant resources and materials. The focus is on a trained workforce that can identify, understand, and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, providing initial support and resource connection. This strategy aims to create a more integrated and accessible support system for youth mental and behavioral health. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in the number of youth accessing mental and behavioral health services, improved early intervention for mental health concerns, and a more robust network of trained professionals capable of supporting youth. The grant allows for proposals ranging from $75,000 to $500,000 per year for up to three years, indicating a commitment to significant, multi-year projects. Eligible organizations include nonprofits, fiscally sponsored programs, government entities (including schools and tribal governments), and coalitions, fostering a broad and inclusive approach to addressing youth mental health needs across all counties in North Carolina.

This grant provides financial support to arts and cultural organizations, individual artists, and local schools in Rowan County to enhance access to arts and cultural opportunities.

The Duplin County Community Foundation (DCCF) Grant Program is currently accepting applications to support qualified charitable organizations serving the local community of Duplin County, North Carolina. This grant program is aligned with the DCCF's mission to address a broad range of local needs. The grant-making fund supports various purposes, including human services, education, youth development, health, food/nutrition, and arts. The foundation's strategic priority is to foster a responsive grant-making approach that addresses the diverse needs within the community, ensuring that funds are directed where they can have the most significant impact. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are organizations that serve the community-at-large within Duplin County. This includes 501(c)(3) public charity nonprofit organizations, organizations with a fiscal agent who is a 501(c)(3) public charity nonprofit, local governments (including public schools), and fire and rescue departments. Religious entities may also apply for funding to support social outreach and charitable service programs benefiting the community, but not for general operating support. The impact goal is to strengthen the local community by supporting essential services and programs that improve the quality of life for its residents. The foundation aims to create a ripple effect of positive change through its investments. The program prioritizes initiatives that meet local needs in a wide array of areas. This broad focus allows for flexibility in addressing emerging challenges and opportunities within Duplin County. The expected outcomes include enhanced community services, improved educational opportunities, healthier residents, and greater access to nutritious food and artistic programs. Measurable results would be evidenced by the number of individuals served by grant-funded programs, improvements in specific indicators related to health or education, and the overall positive impact on the well-being of Duplin County residents. The Duplin County Community Foundation's theory of change is rooted in the belief that by providing financial support to well-aligned and impactful local organizations, the foundation can empower these entities to deliver vital services and programs. This, in turn, leads to a stronger, more resilient, and vibrant community. The foundation emphasizes inclusivity, requiring organizations to offer programs and services without discrimination based on age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, physical ability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or religious belief, ensuring equitable access to resources and benefits for all residents. The typical grant range from the community grantmaking fund is $500 to $1,000.

The Alexander County Economic Development Corporation is offering grants of $1,000 to $5,000, funded by the Duke Energy Foundation, to businesses in Alexander County, North Carolina, for projects aimed at enhancing physical spaces, e-commerce, service delivery, equipment purchase, ADA accessibility, and public health compliance, with a special focus on fostering entrepreneurship and expanding childcare centers.

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) offers Human Services grants of up to $20,000, aimed at supporting programs and projects that deliver significant assistance to economically-disadvantaged individuals within mountain communities. The foundation's mission, as evidenced by this grant, is deeply rooted in addressing critical social needs and fostering well-being among vulnerable populations in its service area. This grant program directly aligns with a strategic priority to support human services and build stronger, more resilient communities by targeting the root causes and consequences of economic disadvantage. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are economically-disadvantaged people residing in selected WNC counties. The impact goals are to address timely community needs or opportunities, continue or expand proven programs, increase cooperation among service providers, build organizational capacity for self-sufficiency, and acquire equipment that provides immediate and substantial benefits. These goals collectively aim to improve the quality of life and opportunities for those facing economic hardship, reflecting a theory of change that by strengthening local service delivery and capacity, the foundation can create lasting positive change. The program prioritizes initiatives that are not currently being addressed by other agencies, those that replicate or expand successful models, and projects that enhance collaboration among providers. A significant focus is also placed on building the internal capacity of organizations, enabling them to operate more efficiently and sustainably, and on funding equipment that offers immediate and substantial benefits to the target population. These priorities demonstrate CFWNC's commitment to strategic, impactful funding that not only provides direct services but also strengthens the ecosystem of support for economically-disadvantaged individuals. Expected outcomes include a measurable improvement in the lives of economically-disadvantaged people, enhanced effectiveness and sustainability of human service organizations, and more coordinated and comprehensive community responses to pressing social needs. While specific measurable results are not detailed, the objectives imply a focus on quantifiable improvements in service delivery, access to resources, and organizational health. The foundation's strategic priorities are clearly centered on maximizing community benefit through targeted investments in human services. Organizations are eligible if they focus on serving economically-disadvantaged people, are financially sustainable, hold 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or are governmental entities, and are located in and serve the specified WNC counties. The foundation explicitly does not fund general operating expenses (unless directly tied to the project), capital support for new buildings, recreational programs, private primary/secondary schools (with exceptions), festivals, scholarships, activities before grant decisions, sectarian religious purposes, partisan political purposes, endowment/deficit funding, or state/national organizations unless local benefits and leadership are demonstrated. This careful delineation of what is and isn't funded further clarifies the foundation's strategic focus and commitment to specific types of interventions.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to North Carolina entities for replacing older diesel vehicles and equipment with cleaner alternatives to reduce harmful emissions and promote cleaner air.

The Artist Support Grant, administered by the Stokes County Arts Council, directly supports individual artists in North Carolina for professional and artistic development. This includes enhancing their skills, improving their ability to create work, and bolstering their business operations to reach wider audiences. The grant's mission aligns with fostering artistic growth and making art accessible, providing vital resources to artists across various disciplines within specific regions of the state. The primary target beneficiaries are individual visual, performing, literary, and interdisciplinary artists, encompassing both emerging and established talents. The program also extends eligibility to small, unincorporated groups of collaborating artists, provided all members meet residency and age requirements. The impact goal is to cultivate a vibrant artistic community by empowering artists to develop their craft and expand their professional reach, thereby enriching the cultural landscape of North Carolina. The grant prioritizes artists who demonstrate a significant commitment to their artistic practice. Eligibility criteria emphasize North Carolina residency within the specific applying region for at least one year, and applicants must be at least 18 years old and either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. This focus ensures that the support directly benefits local artists who are dedicated to their work and contribute to their regional artistic ecosystems. Expected outcomes include enhanced artistic skills, increased production of high-quality artwork, and improved business acumen among artists, leading to greater audience engagement and career sustainability. Measurable results could include the number of artists served, the amount of funding distributed, the types of artistic projects undertaken, and the increased visibility of local artists' work. The program’s strategic priority is to strengthen the individual artist's capacity, operating on the theory of change that by investing directly in artists' development, there will be a ripple effect that elevates the entire artistic community and cultural economy of the state. The grant provides funding ranging from $500 to $1,500, with an application deadline of September 13, 2024. This financial support is crucial for artists to pursue professional development opportunities, acquire necessary materials, or invest in marketing and distribution of their work. The regional structure, including specific counties in Regions 2, 10, 14, and 16, ensures that support is distributed geographically, fostering artistic talent in various communities across North Carolina.

The Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI) is offering its 2024 Infrastructure Grant Program, which aligns with its mission to support the viability and sustainability of historically underserved farmers and ranchers. This program aims to foster projects that enhance farm viability, create new markets for local agricultural products and services, develop innovative uses for existing farm infrastructure, add value to farm products through processing, packaging, or marketing, and optimize the use of on-farm and natural resources. Additionally, the grant supports cultural and heritage projects dedicated to preserving and continuing specific agrarian traditions, reflecting RAFI's broader commitment to a resilient and equitable food system. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are historically underserved farmers and ranchers, as defined by NRCS, who are in at least their fourth full growing season and have operated their current farm for at least two years. The program specifically targets "livelihood" farmers and ranchers who depend on agriculture for their financial support or are pursuing a long-term career in farming. Eligibility extends to individual farmer owners/co-owners or farm cooperatives, provided at least 50% of the cooperative members meet the individual eligibility criteria. The grants range from $1,000 to $10,000 and are available to farms located in specific states: AL, AR, DC, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, or VA. Funding priorities are given to proposals demonstrating a high expected impact on farm viability and sustainability, strong project feasibility, and comprehensive planning, including a clear plan, detailed budget, timeline, and all necessary supporting documentation. RAFI also prioritizes farmers who derive a significant portion of their household income from farm operations, individuals with financial need, or those located in economically disadvantaged areas. Projects that tangibly benefit the surrounding community and farms utilizing agroecological and/or ancestral farming practices are also highly favored, reflecting RAFI's strategic priorities for holistic agricultural development and community engagement. The expected outcomes of the Infrastructure Grant Program include increased farm viability and sustainability for historically underserved farmers, the establishment of new and diversified markets for local products, and the preservation of valuable agricultural traditions. Through these grants, RAFI aims to support projects that lead to concrete improvements in farm infrastructure, expanded income streams for farmers, and a stronger connection between agricultural practices and community well-being. By focusing on these outcomes, RAFI reinforces its theory of change, which posits that targeted financial support and capacity building for underserved farmers will lead to a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable agricultural landscape.

The Municipal Service District Grant Program, offered by the City of Salisbury, provides financial assistance to commercial property owners and building tenants. This initiative aims to enhance building facades, landscapes, and parking lots, as well as facilitate the installation of new pedestrian elements within the Downtown Municipal Service District. The program's core mission aligns with urban revitalization and fostering a more attractive and pedestrian-friendly environment, contributing to the overall economic vitality and aesthetic appeal of the city center. The primary beneficiaries of this program are commercial property owners and business tenants operating within the Downtown Municipal Service District. The impact goals are to encourage significant improvements ranging from minor repairs and repainting to substantial rehabilitation projects. This includes the introduction of new pedestrian amenities, restoration of storefronts, and overall beautification, ultimately leading to an improved urban experience for residents and visitors alike. The program prioritizes a diverse range of projects designed to significantly enhance the public and commercial spaces. Key focus areas include the installation of new pedestrian amenities such as outdoor seating, planters, awnings, café fences, lighting, bicycle racks, and art. It also supports the installation of new façade elements (signage, lighting, awnings), painting of murals, ghost sign restoration, storefront rehabilitation, removal of false façades, and repairs to windows, doors, and architectural details. Furthermore, the program encourages green building improvements like solar panels, EV charging stations, green roofs, and white roofs, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability. Expected outcomes and measurable results include a noticeable increase in the aesthetic quality and functionality of the downtown area. The 50/50 matching grant, with a maximum City participation of $5,000, ensures a shared investment and commitment to these enhancements. Success will be measured by the number and scope of completed projects, the visible improvements in building facades and public spaces, and the increased presence of pedestrian-friendly amenities, all contributing to a more vibrant and appealing urban core. The City of Salisbury's strategic priorities, as evidenced by this grant, center on enhancing the municipal service district through tangible improvements that benefit both businesses and the community. The theory of change suggests that by investing in the physical environment of the downtown area, the city will stimulate economic activity, improve quality of life, and strengthen community pride. This grant acts as a catalyst for private investment, aligning with a broader vision of sustainable urban development and community engagement.

The City of Spokane, through its Accounting and Grants Department, is offering a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to support community-serving organizations with capital campaign expenses. This grant program aims to provide capital dollars to help organizations secure physical locations for operation, ultimately expanding services and benefiting historically marginalized communities. The program aligns with a mission to foster community development and support vital organizations within the City of Spokane. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are 501c3 organizations registered within the City of Spokane, particularly those establishing or expanding multicultural centers. These centers must be located within city limits and dedicate over 50% of their space to outward-facing multicultural activities. The impact goal is to strengthen the infrastructure of community-serving organizations, enabling them to provide expanded and more accessible services to their target populations. The program prioritizes organizations demonstrating a clear need for a capital project, a proven history of serving historically marginalized communities, and fiscal responsibility. Key tasks for funding include strategic planning, feasibility studies, campaign implementation, and staff training related to capital campaigns. The focus is on ensuring that the funded projects are well-planned, sustainable, and directly contribute to the organization's ability to serve its community effectively. Expected outcomes include the successful implementation of capital campaigns, resulting in organizations securing or expanding their physical operating locations. Measurable results will include the completion of projects by June 30, 2026, with funds contracted by December 31, 2024. This initiative reflects a strategic priority to invest in community infrastructure and empower organizations that are vital to the social and cultural well-being of Spokane's diverse population. The theory of change is that by providing capital for physical locations, the City can enable organizations to better serve and expand their reach within the community.

The Jackson County Community Foundation is offering community grants to qualified charitable organizations that serve the local community within Jackson County, North Carolina. This grant program aligns with the foundation's mission to address a broad range of local needs, supporting essential services and development within the community. The grants are intended to foster local initiatives that improve the well-being of residents and strengthen community infrastructure across various sectors. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are diverse, encompassing individuals and groups benefiting from human services, education, youth development, health, food/nutrition, and arts programs. The impact goals are to meet a wide array of community needs, providing support to vulnerable populations, enhancing educational opportunities, promoting healthy lifestyles, and enriching cultural experiences. The foundation prioritizes organizations that are 501(c)(3) public charities, local governments (including public schools), fire and rescue departments, and religious entities engaged in social outreach programs. The program focuses on funding initiatives that provide tangible benefits to the community-at-large, with a particular emphasis on services that are accessible and non-discriminatory. Expected outcomes include improved access to essential services, enhanced community programs, and a strengthened local support network. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the range of grants, the implied results are the successful implementation of programs in the areas of human services, education, youth development, health, food/nutrition, and arts. The Jackson County Community Foundation's strategic priorities are to address local needs comprehensively through community-focused grantmaking. Their theory of change appears to be that by funding a diverse range of charitable organizations and public service entities, they can collectively create a more resilient, educated, healthy, and culturally vibrant community. The grant size typically ranges from $1,000 to $3,000, indicating a focus on supporting numerous local projects rather than a few large-scale initiatives.

The Creative Economy Fund, formerly known as the Creative Industries Incentive Fund, is an initiative by the City of San José Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs (OEDCA) in partnership with the Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI). CCI is a nonprofit intermediary dedicated to the economic security of individuals in the arts. The fund awards project grants to arts, cultural, and creative-based commercial businesses located within the City of San José. These businesses can be involved in the production or distribution of the arts, encompassing manufacturers, service providers, presenters, and designers. The program's mission is aligned with enhancing San José’s creative economy and bolstering the growth and financial resilience of small arts, cultural, and creative-based businesses, as well as providing financial support to artists and creative entrepreneurs across all disciplines, both non-commercial and commercial. The primary target beneficiaries of the Creative Economy Fund are commercial enterprises, including small businesses (defined as those with 35 employees or less by the City of San José) and sole proprietorships. These businesses must be based in San José and primarily provide a cultural, creative, or arts-related service or product. They must also be in good standing with the City of San José, holding an active business tax certificate. The fund explicitly supports projects and activities aimed at building successful arts, cultural, and creative-based small businesses, fostering economic stability and growth within the creative sector. For the 2024 grantmaking round, a total of $40,000 is available, with grants of up to $8,000 awarded through a competitive application process. The program prioritizes applicants who contribute to the city’s cultural vibrancy, demonstrate readiness for project implementation, and show potential for growth and greater financial resilience. A key focus is on demonstrating economic impact, such as attracting visitors, generating sales tax, and creating jobs within San José. Competitive applicants are also expected to reflect the City’s diverse cultural communities and creative-based commercial landscape, ensuring equitable and inclusive support for the creative sector. The expected outcomes and measurable results include enhancing the creative economy, increasing the growth and financial resilience of small arts, cultural, and creative-based businesses, and providing financial support to artists and creative entrepreneurs. The period of support for projects is from September 2024 to September 2025. The fund's strategic priorities are to strengthen the economic foundation of San José's creative sector, facilitate business development, and promote cultural vibrancy. The theory of change posits that by providing targeted financial support and capacity building to creative businesses and entrepreneurs, the fund will stimulate local economic activity, create jobs, and enrich the cultural landscape of San José, ultimately leading to a more robust and resilient creative economy.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in New Hanover County that align their initiatives with the county's strategic goals and enhance community services.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit arts organizations in New Hanover County to enhance community arts experiences through operational and programming initiatives.

This grant provides financial support to local nonprofit organizations in Holly Springs to help them carry out community-focused activities that align with the town's strategic priorities.

This funding opportunity is designed to support non-profit organizations in Fayetteville that provide essential services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless, focusing on emergency shelter, street outreach, and housing stability.

The South Arts In These Mountains (ITM) initiative is a grant program designed to support projects that promote the sharing, teaching, learning, preserving, documenting, and continuity of folk arts and traditional culture within Central Appalachia. This aligns with a broader mission to foster cultural preservation and community enrichment, particularly in underserved regions. The program seeks to empower communities through their unique cultural heritage, ensuring these traditions are passed down through generations and remain vibrant within the region. The target beneficiaries for this grant program are nonprofit organizations and educational organizations located in Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) counties in Kentucky, North Carolina, and Tennessee. This includes a wide array of entities such as community cultural organizations, schools, colleges, universities, libraries, museums, performing arts presenters, community festival organizations, and faith-based organizations. The primary impact goal is to strengthen the traditional arts and cultural fabric of these communities, particularly those in rural areas with populations under 50,000, by providing essential funding for relevant projects. South Arts has several key priorities and focuses for this initiative. They are deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, actively encouraging applications from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-led and LGBTQIA+-led organizations, as well as organizations led by people with disabilities. Furthermore, they prioritize applications that feature BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and traditional artists with disabilities. Another significant focus is on funding traditional arts projects specifically in rural communities. The grants are awarded in the amount of $10,000, with a project period from October 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. The expected outcomes and measurable results of the ITM initiative include a sustained and increased engagement with folk arts and traditional culture in Central Appalachia. Success will be measured by the number and quality of projects that effectively share, teach, learn, preserve, document, and support the continuity of these cultural practices. The prioritization of diverse and rural-led organizations aims to ensure that funding reaches those most in need of support and that a wide array of voices and traditions are represented and uplifted. The strategic priority of South Arts, as evidenced by this grant, is to build a more equitable and culturally rich Central Appalachia through targeted investment in its traditional arts.

This program provides financial support to rural nonprofit and governmental organizations in select Southern states for presenting touring artists across various disciplines, including film, performing arts, and visual arts.

Arts Davidson County, in partnership with the North Carolina Arts Council, is offering the Grassroots Arts Program to provide subgrants to local organizations for arts programs within Davidson County. This program aligns with the mission to foster and support quality arts initiatives and organizations at the local level. The grant is designed to support a variety of arts-related expenditures, contributing to a vibrant cultural landscape within the county. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are qualified arts organizations not already receiving or eligible for support from the N.C. Arts Council. This includes a broad spectrum of groups such as theaters, symphonies, galleries, art guilds, choral societies, dance companies, folk arts societies, writers’ groups, and arts festivals. The program also supports qualified artists conducting arts learning and arts in education programs, as well as community, civic, and municipal organizations that involve qualified artists in their programming. The impact goal is to strengthen local arts infrastructure and expand access to arts education and experiences for residents of Davidson County. The program has distinct priorities. The first priority is to offer operating or program support to qualified arts organizations that are not otherwise funded by the N.C. Arts Council. The second priority is to back arts learning and arts in education programs, which can manifest as artist residencies in schools, after-school or summer camps, or adult arts learning classes. The third priority extends support to community, civic, and municipal organizations for programs led by qualified artists. These priorities aim to ensure comprehensive support across the arts sector in the county. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number and quality of arts programs offered locally, enhanced operational stability for arts organizations, and greater community engagement with the arts. Measurable results could include the number of organizations receiving grants, the types and number of programs funded, the number of participants in arts learning programs, and the overall reach of funded projects within the community. Projects must take place between July 1, 2024, and June 15, 2025, allowing for a clear timeframe for impact assessment. While specific strategic priorities or a theory of change for "Arts Davidson County" are not explicitly detailed as a separate section within the provided text, the Grassroots Arts Program itself embodies a theory of change: by providing financial support to local arts organizations and programs, Arts Davidson County believes it can cultivate a thriving arts community, increase public access to diverse artistic expressions, and enhance the overall cultural well-being of Davidson County. This approach suggests a belief that direct funding at the grassroots level is a powerful catalyst for local arts development and community enrichment.

The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority (HCTDA) Grant program for 2024-2025 aims to financially support initiatives that enhance tourism within Haywood County, North Carolina. This program is sustained by room tax revenue, directly aligning the grant's mission with the economic development and visitor attraction goals of the region. By investing these funds back into the tourism sector, HCTDA seeks to bolster local businesses and non-profit organizations that contribute to the county's appeal as a destination. The grant targets a diverse range of beneficiaries, including non-profit organizations, for-profit businesses, museums, attractions, cultural events, and governmental agencies. Eligibility criteria vary slightly between the two main grant categories: Legacy Event Sponsorship and Tourism Promotion Grant. Legacy Event Sponsorship is open to a broader array of entities that have a proven track record of drawing visitors, while the Tourism Promotion Grant is primarily for non-profit organizations, museums, attractions, and governmental agencies, with a specific provision for for-profit tourism-based organizations with a 100% grant match. The program's core priorities and focuses are to attract visitors from outside a fifty (50) mile radius and to generate overnight stays, thereby creating economic and destination impact. Preference is given to applications that demonstrate a strong potential to achieve these outcomes. This strategic focus ensures that the grant funds are utilized to maximize external visitor engagement and directly contribute to the county's tourism economy, while also enhancing the quality of life for local residents. Expected outcomes and measurable results include increased visitor numbers, extended stays, and a stronger overall tourism image for Haywood County. The grant program seeks to support innovative campaigns, advertising efforts, and promotional activities that effectively reach target markets. Successful applications will demonstrate how their initiatives will not only attract tourists but also showcase the unique aspects of Haywood County and its communities, leading to sustained economic benefits. The HCTDA's strategic priorities are rooted in leveraging room tax revenue to cultivate a vibrant and robust tourism industry. Their theory of change posits that by providing targeted financial support for established events and promotional initiatives, they can directly stimulate visitor traffic, encourage overnight stays, and foster a positive economic ripple effect throughout the county. This approach ensures that the grant program acts as a catalyst for growth, continually reinforcing Haywood County's position as a desirable tourist destination.