North Carolina Workforce Development Grants

This grant provides financial support and mentorship to early-stage cleantech entrepreneurs in the Midwest who are developing innovative solutions to promote economic growth and environmental sustainability.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations that create hands-on STEAM workshops for underserved youth, enhancing technical skills and career exploration opportunities within the Best Buy Teen Tech Centers network.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Charlotte to enhance digital access and workforce development for residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and systemic barriers, focusing on underserved communities.

This funding initiative provides financial support to local communities in the Appalachian Region for projects that enhance critical infrastructure and promote business and workforce development.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and schools in select U.S. states for programs focused on workforce development in advanced manufacturing and environmental sustainability initiatives.

This initiative provides funding to support large-scale economic development projects across the Appalachian region, focusing on workforce development, business growth, infrastructure improvements, and community capacity building.

This grant provides financial assistance to local governments in North Carolina for demolishing vacant, publicly owned buildings to promote private investment and job creation in their communities.

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.

Beyond Open is a competitive small business grant program focused on enhancing economic mobility within Charlotte's Corridors of Opportunity. It aims to support diverse-owned small businesses, including those owned by minorities, women, veterans, LGBTQ individuals, and persons with disabilities. The grant can be used for capital assets such as equipment, technology, inventory, and real estate, and does not require repayment. Administered by FFTC Partners For Empowering Communities, a supporting organization of the Foundation For The Carolinas, and funded by the Wells Fargo Open for Business Fund, Beyond Open has awarded over $10 million in grants to nearly 300 small businesses during its first two rounds. The third round will distribute approximately $5 million in grants. The program aims to retain jobs, encourage job growth, and inspire new entrepreneurial endeavors in areas with low economic mobility and among historically underrepresented groups. It also seeks to create opportunities for small businesses to provide goods or services in affluent areas where minority business owners have been under-represented.

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.

This program provides financial support to non-farm businesses in Orange County, particularly those owned by women and BIPOC, to help them grow, hire staff, and make a positive economic impact.

This grant provides funding to governmental entities and nonprofit organizations in North Carolina for projects that promote economic development, job creation, and workforce training, particularly in rural and tobacco-dependent communities.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce's Rural Building Reuse Program is a grant initiative designed to transform older, underutilized buildings in communities into valuable assets for economic growth. This program aligns with a broader mission to attract new businesses, support the expansion of existing North Carolina companies, and foster the development of healthcare entities, thereby creating new, full-time jobs. By revitalizing vacant or underperforming properties, the program aims to stimulate local economies and improve the overall well-being of rural areas within the state. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are local governments in North Carolina, who then act on behalf of businesses and healthcare entities. The program focuses on three main categories: the renovation of vacant buildings, the renovation or expansion of buildings occupied by existing North Carolina companies, and the renovation, expansion, or construction of licensed healthcare entities. The impact goals are centered on job creation, economic development through business attraction and expansion, and improved access to healthcare services in rural communities. Priorities for funding include vacant buildings that have been unoccupied for at least three months. For existing businesses, companies must have operated in North Carolina for at least 12 months, meet weekly wage standards, provide at least 50% employee benefits, and be represented on the Priority Industry Table. In the rural health category, eligible applicants are units of local government in Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties, or rural census tracts in Tier 3 counties, with a priority for towns under 5,000 population in Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties. A key requirement for all categories is a cash match equal to the grant request, with local government contributing at least 5% from local, non-state or federal resources. Expected outcomes include a significant increase in new, full-time jobs, the successful renovation and reuse of older buildings, and the expansion of business operations across the state. Measurable results would involve tracking the number of jobs created, the number of buildings renovated or expanded, the types of businesses supported, and the economic impact on local communities. The program's strategic priorities are clearly linked to fostering economic resilience and growth in rural North Carolina, with a theory of change that posits that by investing in physical infrastructure, the state can catalyze private sector investment, leading to job growth and improved community vitality.

The Bernalillo County Neighborhood Grant Program aims to strengthen neighborhoods and enhance the quality of life within Bernalillo County by supporting neighborhood associations and other community groups. This program is rooted in the belief that strong neighborhoods and active residents are vital to the county's uniqueness and well-being. The grant is designed to assist these groups in their ongoing participation and outreach efforts to their members and all residents of Bernalillo County. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are individual, recognized Neighborhood Associations within Bernalillo County or the City of Albuquerque. The program seeks to empower these associations to initiate, plan, and implement projects that directly impact their neighbors and community members. The overarching impact goal is to foster self-help initiatives that provide positive, public benefits to all residents, thereby strengthening community bonds and enhancing local quality of life. Key priorities and focuses for this grant include projects performed within Bernalillo County, including areas within city limits, and initiatives that offer a positive, public benefit to all residents. Projects must be free and open to all residents within neighborhood association boundaries. A strong emphasis is placed on self-help, encouraging projects that are conceived, planned, and executed by the community members who will ultimately benefit. Furthermore, successful applications are expected to include community match resources, demonstrating a commitment from the neighborhood itself. Expected outcomes include a more engaged and active citizenry, an increase in community-led projects that address local needs, and a general enhancement of the quality of life across Bernalillo County. While specific measurable results like the number of participants or projects are implied by the nature of the grant (up to $5,000 per association per grant period), the program fundamentally seeks to foster community resilience and collective action. The grant’s theory of change posits that by investing in neighborhood-led initiatives, Bernalillo County can cultivate a more vibrant, connected, and self-reliant community.

This program provides financial support to established small businesses in downtown North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro, North Carolina, to enhance their operations through equipment upgrades, physical space improvements, and e-commerce development.

This competition provides financial support to young artists in Catawba County, North Carolina, to help them further their education and development in visual and literary arts.

This grant provides financial support to women in Western North Carolina who are starting or advancing careers in the food, beverage, agriculture, and hospitality industries, particularly those affected by Hurricane Helene.

This funding opportunity supports conservation projects that provide employment and training for young adults and veterans, helping them gain experience in environmental stewardship and resource management on public lands.

This program provides financial assistance to farmers in Orange County, North Carolina, to support innovative agricultural projects that enhance income and market access.

The Art Committee Grant Program, established by the City of Gastonia, aims to foster public access to quality arts programs, promote diversity in the arts, and stimulate economic development and tourism within the city. This initiative is rooted in North Carolina General Statute, which empowers local governments to establish and support arts programs and facilities through appropriations to governmental agencies, public or nonprofit private associations, corporations, or organizations. The program aligns with the city's broader mission to enrich the cultural landscape for its citizens and drive local economic growth through artistic endeavors. The program primarily targets eligible nonprofit arts organizations with 501(c)(3) status that maintain a permanent office, practice/performance space, or physical address within Gastonia's municipal boundaries. The impact goals include expanding the reach of arts programs, increasing the diversity of artistic expressions available to the public, and ultimately contributing to the city's economic vitality and attractiveness as a tourist destination. By supporting these organizations, the program seeks to strengthen the local arts ecosystem. The core priorities and focus areas of this grant program revolve around supporting qualifying arts programs. The definition of "arts" is broad, encompassing performing arts, visual arts, and literary arts, including dance, drama, music, painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, crafts, photography, film, video, architecture, design, and literature, when part of a performing, visual, or literary arts program. This wide scope ensures a diverse array of artistic expressions can receive funding, promoting comprehensive cultural development. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in public engagement with the arts, a broader representation of diverse artistic forms and cultures, and a positive economic impact through tourism and local spending generated by arts events. While specific metrics are not detailed, the underlying theory of change suggests that by providing financial support to local arts organizations, the City of Gastonia can directly enhance cultural accessibility and diversity, thereby creating a more vibrant community and stimulating economic benefits. The grant awards range from $1,000 to $10,000 per recipient. This funding mechanism is a direct implementation of the City Council's authority under Section 160A-488 of the North Carolina General Statute, reflecting a strategic priority to leverage local government capabilities for community enrichment. The program's design emphasizes support for organizations that are firmly rooted in the Gastonia community, ensuring that the investments directly benefit the city and its residents.