North Carolina Income Security and Social Services Grants

The Orange County Business Investment Grant Program in North Carolina is seeking applications to provide financial support ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to stimulate non-farm business development and expansion within the county, with eligibility criteria including the business's physical location, operational duration, tax status, and connection with business counseling services.

The North Carolina IOLTA’s Administration of Justice Grants provide support for programs seeking to improve the administration of justice in North Carolina. Donor Name: North Carolina State Bar State: North Carolina County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Areas of Funding A goal of NC IOLTA is to focus grants in areas where they can have a measurable impact. Therefore, IOLTA grants for improvements in the administration of justice are made in the areas outlined below with emphasis on how the justice system can operate more effectively and expeditiously. Improvement in the operation and management of the justice system;  Public education and understanding about the law, including law-related education;  Promotion and support for a full range of dispute resolution techniques and alternatives;  Promotion and support for public interest legal representation.  Funding Criteria Preference will generally be given to:  Applicants seeking start-up funds or seed money for new projects or programs;  Programs that seek to offer services to individuals who do not qualify for civil legal aid based on their income but who are unable to afford legal assistance, including pro bono programs;  Programs with demonstration value or replication potential;  Programs that will have statewide significance; and/or  Requests for matching funds.  Administration of Justice Grants typically do not fund:  Direct service programs (e.g., counseling);  Replicas of established programs;  Local community groups unrelated to the practice of law;  Programs (or budget items) for which there is a governmental responsibility to provide funding; Continuing program support for local projects that exceed three years. Grant Period January 1 – December 31, 2025. Eligibility Criteria  In addition to meeting the stated eligibility for all NC IOLTA grants, to be eligible for funding from NC IOLTA under the Civil Legal Aid Grant Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:  Serve North Carolina residents who are indigent, defined as individuals who are at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines or who are eligible to receive public assistance through a government program for the indigent. In addition to income, programs may consider other relevant factors in determining financial eligibility for services, including access to liquid assets, fixed debts and obligations, and family size for example.  The organization may also consider availability of income, i.e., whether the individual seeking assistance has direct and unfettered access, without having to obtain the consent or cooperation of another person over whom the individual does not have control and who does not in fact consent or cooperate.  If an organization uses a definition of indigent or low-income clients, for all or a portion of its clients that is different from the above, it must be able to show that a majority of its clients fall within the stated NC IOLTA definition.  Provide services without charge to the client. An organization will not be disqualified from receiving funds from NC IOLTA for charging nominal fees as long as the organization allows for the complete waiver of fees in cases where clients cannot pay the fee. The Board reserves the right to approve grants to an organization charging significantly reduced fees in areas of law where services are otherwise unavailable to low-income clients. Grantees that charge fees, whether nominal or reduced, are required to provide a copy of their client fee policy and schedule to NC IOLTA and include information on fees received in their regular financial reports to NC IOLTA, including information about the number of fee waivers provided to clients. For more information, visit North Carolina State Bar.

The North Carolina IOLTA is requesting applications for its Civil Legal Aid Grant Program. Donor Name: North Carolina State Bar State: North Carolina County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: NC IOLTA’s Civil Legal Aid Grant Program provides general support for a network of organizations, including both civil legal aid organizations and other agencies that provide civil legal aid, that together provide basic access to the justice system for indigent people residing in every county in North Carolina. Civil legal aid includes direct representation of eligible clients and client groups as well as related training and technical assistance. An organization or program may be providing services through staff attorneys and advocates or using volunteer lawyers on a pro bono basis. Areas of Funding Civil Legal Aid Grants  General Civil Legal Aid Grants are offered to legal aid organizations, defined as a non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code whose primary purpose is to provide civil legal aid to low-income clients. General Civil Legal Aid Grants are intended to provide general programmatic support to civil legal aid organizations to broadly support legal services for eligible clients. Project Support Grants are offered to legal aid organizations or other entities that run legal aid programs (such as social service providers, advocacy organizations, and other nonprofits that provide other non-legal services in addition to the legal services provided). Project Support Grants are intended to support programs focused on particular client subgroups or particular types of client services, especially where the clients served are not being reached or the program offers services that are not otherwise available through civil legal aid organizations. Pro Bono Support Grants. Pro Bono Support Grants are offered to support the development and expansion of efforts to engage lawyers and other legal professionals in the provision of voluntary legal services. Note that a pro bono program that does not focus their efforts specifically on indigent clients is not eligible for a Pro Bono Support Grant under the Civil Legal Aid Grant Program but may apply under the Administration of Justice Grant Program. System Support Grants. System Support Grants are offered to support efforts to improve the system of the delivery of civil legal aid by increasing program efficiency, effectiveness, and collaboration. Examples of some efforts within this area of funding include training, research and evaluation, program innovations, website development or updates, online platforms or tools, and planning and sustainability efforts.  Funding Criteria Preference generally will be given to requests from applicants:  Providing direct representation of clients or client groups, including engaging in a range of services from extended representation to brief advice offered through a variety of methods, offering community legal education to clients, and supporting community economic development through services to client groups;  Who are staffed civil legal aid organizations, as the most effective and efficient means by which to deliver high quality legal assistance to the poor, including pro bono efforts as an important supplement to staffed legal services;  Who are current qualified providers over additional, separate programs except where a separate program can address client needs more effectively and efficiently;  Having diverse funding sources; Grant period January 1 – December 31, 2025. Eligibility Criteria  In addition to meeting the stated eligibility for all NC IOLTA grants, to be eligible for funding from NC IOLTA under the Civil Legal Aid Grant Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:  Serve North Carolina residents who are indigent, defined as individuals who are at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines or who are eligible to receive public assistance through a government program for the indigent. In addition to income, programs may consider other relevant factors in determining financial eligibility for services, including access to liquid assets, fixed debts and obligations, and family size for example.  The organization may also consider availability of income, i.e., whether the individual seeking assistance has direct and unfettered access, without having to obtain the consent or cooperation of another person over whom the individual does not have control and who does not in fact consent or cooperate.  If an organization uses a definition of indigent or low-income clients, for all or a portion of its clients that is different from the above, it must be able to show that a majority of its clients fall within the stated NC IOLTA definition.  Provide services without charge to the client. An organization will not be disqualified from receiving funds from NC IOLTA for charging nominal fees as long as the organization allows for the complete waiver of fees in cases where clients cannot pay the fee. The Board reserves the right to approve grants to an organization charging significantly reduced fees in areas of law where services are otherwise unavailable to low-income clients. Grantees that charge fees, whether nominal or reduced, are required to provide a copy of their client fee policy and schedule to NC IOLTA and include information on fees received in their regular financial reports to NC IOLTA, including information about the number of fee waivers provided to clients. For more information, visit North Carolina State Bar.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations in eastern North Carolina for projects that support education, health, and human services, with a focus on benefiting women, children, youth, and older adults.

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 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 Pigeon River Fund (PRF) exists to improve the streams and rivers of Haywood, Buncombe and Madison counties. Donor Name: The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina State: North Carolina County: Buncombe County (NC), Haywood County (NC), Madison County (NC) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: It supports projects and activities that provide direct benefits in at least one of the following focus areas: Improved surface water quality Enhanced fish and wildlife management and habitats Expanded public access Increased citizens’ awareness about their roles in protecting these resources Grant requests may address any of the four focus areas listed above. Listed below are additional expectations for grant applications. Grants are typically for one year and generally range from $5,000 to $35,000. Some grant requests may exceed $35,000 with prior approval of CFWNC staff. Conservation easement requests for transaction or acquisition costs should not exceed $30,000. PRF grants should leverage other funds or in-kind resources toward total project costs. PRF awards may be contingent on receipt of additional funds. In such cases, other necessary funds must be secured within 18 months of a PRF grant award. If the project is or will be ongoing, PRF funds should be allocated for a specific time period. Operating support is only considered for select organizations chosen by the PRF Advisory Committee. Operating support requests may not exceed $50,000. Grant funds may be used to support administrative costs, including a share of staff costs, when essential to the project. Higher priority projects: Support efforts to address water quality issues in streams or watersheds identified as priorities in county (or other authority) watershed action plans. A copy of the watershed plan should be uploaded with the application. Promote collaborative or coordinated projects that address comprehensive issues and that will have a long-term benefit. Encourage education and awareness of water quality issues, preferably focused on helping individuals understand how their actions relate to the overall health of the river basin. Install water quality Best Management Practices (BMPs) or other stream improvements that are part of a coordinated multi-faceted effort and that will result in significant water quality improvement. Lower priority projects: Scattered projects (including demonstration BMPs or other projects) not related to a coordinated effort to improve priority streams/watershed in the relevant community. Government agency operating support, especially staffing. Projects related to regulation enforcement that is the responsibility of government. Eligibility Criteria Tax-exempt organizations described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and governmental entities serving Buncombe, Haywood or Madison counties are eligible to apply. For more information, visit CFWNC.

The Community Foundation offers Human Services grants up to $20,000 for programs or projects that promise significant help for economically-disadvantaged people in mountain communities. Donor Name: The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina State: North Carolina County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Human Services objectives are to: Address a timely community need or opportunity not being addressed by other agencies Continue, replicate or expand a proven program or project Increase cooperation and coordination among program providers Build the internal capacity of an organization to be more self-sufficient or efficient Purchase equipment that provides an immediate and substantial benefit. Eligibility Criteria Organizations are eligible to apply for Human Services grants if they: have missions or programs focused on serving economically-disadvantaged people; are financially sustainable; are tax-exempt as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or governmental entities; are located in and serving one or more of these WNC counties: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania and Yancey; did not receive a Human Services grant during the most recent Human Services grant cycle. What they don’t Fund  general operating expenses (except for costs directly related to the proposed project or program) capital support for new buildings or major expansions recreational programs and equipment, including playgrounds private primary and secondary schools (except for projects or programs that are not directed toward the school’s students or staff and that directly address community needs) and private clubs festivals or one-time events such as exhibits, performances or fundraisers scholarships activities taking place or expenses incurred before grant decisions are made sectarian religious purposes partisan political purposes endowment, deficit funding or debt retirement state or national organizations, unless (1) funding is sought for a portion of the program or project that directly benefits WNC, and (2) local people assume leadership of the program or project For more information, visit CFWNC.

The Landfall Foundation is currently accepting applications from eligible organizations for the Project Grants. Donor Name: Landfall Foundation State: North Carolina County: Brunswick County (NC), New Hanover County (NC), Pender County (NC) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  06/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: Grant Categories Health & Welfare Education Arts Funding Information The maximum funding is $10,000. Project Grants have a specific purpose to be completed in one or two years. Eligibility Criteria Organization must be a non-profit and tax exempt as defined by section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code and must include a copy of your IRS Tax Exemption letter. The grant request must be to partially or fully fund a project in the areas of arts, health and welfare and/or education. Your organization is NOT eligible for a grant if: Beneficiaries of your project are not within New Hanover, Pender or Brunswick counties. The organization operates as a private non-operating foundation. The application is for direct aid to individuals. The grant is primarily for operating expenses, such as administrative costs, general overhead, advertising or signage, principal and interest payments on debt. The grant is for costs of capital items already acquired or the purchase of real property. The grant is for a start-up organization (the date of your IRS determination letter must be two years before the date of submission of this application) The organization is engaged in any way in the promotion or advancement of political or religious beliefs. The organization will transfer any portion of a Landfall Foundation Grant Award to any other organization The organization is a local branch of a national organization with internal fundraising staff. The organization discriminates on the basis of age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. The grant application is for research, feasibility studies or engineering and planning. The organization received a program grant award in the previous year and has not submitted a final or preliminary report by May 15, 2023. The organization received a capital grant award in the current year. For more information, visit Landfall Foundation.

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina is seeking applications for its Cultural Resources Grant for Craft organizations. Donor Name: The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina State: North Carolina County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: CFWNC will award small grants of $5,000 for general operating support through a simple online application according to the categories and schedule specified below. Category:  FY 24-25 Craft– ceramics, glass, textile, metal or wood. Funding Information  CFWNC will award small grants of $5,000 for general operating support through a simple online application. Eligibility Criteria Organizations must be: Tax-exempt as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or public agencies. Located in the Qualla Boundary or one of the following counties in Western North Carolina: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania or Yancey. Organizations must already be established in and serving Western North Carolina. Preference will be given to nonprofit organizations. Public agencies may be supported if few nonprofits serve a geographic area and if funds remain available. Applications by non-arts organizations that run an arts program will not be considered. What they don’t Fund private primary and secondary schools (except for projects or programs that are not directed toward the school’s students or staff and that directly address community needs) and private clubs sectarian religious purposes partisan political purposes state or national organizations, unless (1) funding is sought for a portion of the program or project that directly benefits WNC, and (2) local people assume leadership of the program or project For more information, visit CFWNC.

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.

Grant opportunity: North Carolina Shallow Draft Navigation Channel Dredging and Aquatic Weed Fund. The fund provides state cost share for dredging projects to maintain shallow draft navigation channels in state waters or waters within lakes navigable and safe. Projects must be cost-shared with non-state dollars, with different match requirements based on the project location. No cost-share is required for dredging projects in development tier one areas for a ferry channel maintained by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Grant applications are evaluated based on economic, social, and environmental benefits, regional impact, financial resources of the local entity, environmental impact, and direct benefit to state-owned lands. Eligible applicants include units of local government. For more information, visit Shallow Draft Navigation Channel Dredging and Aquatic Weed Fund.