Best Community Development Grants in North Carolina

The Amgen Foundation, established in 1990, focuses on enhancing science education and strengthening communities. It supports nonprofit organizations that align with its mission, emphasizing teacher development and hands-on science experiences. Grants are awarded annually, with a commitment of $180 million to impactful programs. Eligible organizations include public schools and libraries, while ineligible requests involve individual support, religious organizations, and political activities. This approach aims to inspire the next generation of innovators through quality educational opportunities.

State and local agencies, local governing boards, nonprofits, tribes, and higher education institutions in eligible Appalachian counties can seek funding for critical infrastructure and workforce or business development projects. The Appalachian Regional Commission supports community and economic development in North Carolina and 12 other states through investments in utilities, transportation, broadband, entrepreneurship, training, and leadership capacity.

North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, local governments, and first responder agencies can seek funding for traffic safety, driver education, and K–12 financial literacy initiatives. Focused on roadway safety and youth financial education, Auto Club Group Foundation offers US $5,000 - US $15,000 grants, including for passive speed enforcement equipment like speed display signs.

The Duke Energy Foundation provides Local Impact Grants to strengthen communities in North Carolina, offering up to $20,000 for various initiatives. These include workforce development, climate resiliency projects, and promoting inclusivity. Eligible organizations must have 501(c)(3) status, serve Duke Energy communities, and demonstrate measurable impacts. The Foundation prioritizes grants that support economic recovery, environmental conservation, and equitable access to opportunities, thus fostering sustainable growth and resilience across the state.

Nonprofit and governmental organizations running humanitarian, social, education, or community programs in North Carolina may be eligible for support, especially if they serve Amgen communities or provide nationwide U.S. impact. With a mission to strengthen communities, Amgen Foundation provides charitable donations and sponsorships for qualified 501(c)(3) and similar charitable entities outside the U.S. healthcare community.

Nonprofits and governmental organizations in North Carolina seeking funding for housing, education, healthcare, human services, or community development projects can apply for SECU Foundation grants. Focused on high-impact, often capital or large-scale programmatic initiatives, the State Employees Credit Union Foundation prioritizes projects with regional or statewide reach that strengthen communities and public employees.

Grassroots, rural community groups working on social, economic, or environmental justice in North Carolina and the broader Southeast can apply for Southern Partners Fund’s Discretionary Fund, with awards up to US $3,500. Grants support community organizing, capacity-building, technical assistance, travel, and voter engagement, including work on education reform and immigration rights.

Governmental entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving North Carolina can apply for Golden LEAF’s Open Grants Program, offering up to US $500,000 for economic development projects. With a mission to strengthen North Carolina’s economy, Golden LEAF provides funding for job creation, agriculture, workforce preparedness, infrastructure, and community competitiveness in tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and rural communities.

Legal services nonprofits, solo practitioners, and small law firms pursuing impact litigation for economic, environmental, racial, or social justice in North Carolina and nationwide can receive US $10,000 - US $50,000 in recoverable grants for case expenses. The Impact Fund supports class actions and major cases that benefit communities facing systemic oppression, including community development and revitalization efforts.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and schools in North Carolina offering manufacturing-focused workforce education can apply for American Honda Motor’s Education Pillar Award, with US $25,000 - US $100,000 for programmatic support. Eligible programs strengthen the manufacturing talent pipeline through hands-on training in design, data analytics, automation, and AI, benefiting communities where Honda associates live and work.

Nonprofits, local governments, and partners advancing multi-state economic and community development projects in North Carolina’s Appalachian counties can apply for Appalachian Regional Commission’s ARISE planning and implementation grants, with awards up to US $10,000,000. Funding supports regional initiatives that strengthen business, workforce, tourism, and community revitalization across Appalachia.

Child- and family-serving nonprofits in North Carolina can seek funding to implement or scale evidence-based programs that prevent or treat child abuse and neglect. Grants from The Duke Endowment help agencies strengthen child welfare services through implementation support, innovation, and advocacy, which may benefit community development efforts focused on vulnerable children and families.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on community development, revitalization, and cultural enrichment can apply for Ameriprise Financial’s community grants, including those in North Carolina. Focus areas include neighborhood revitalization, economic development, arts education, and access to arts for underserved residents. Priority goes to programs with strong Ameriprise employee or advisor volunteer engagement.

North Carolina 501(c)(3) public charities with shovel‑ready capital projects for community development can seek support for wildlife habitats, parks, educational spaces, artistic installations, or Christian church mission projects. The Jandy Ammons Foundation funds standalone, project-driven endeavors, not ongoing programs, operations, or scholarships, that create lasting community assets and improved public spaces.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) conservation and community organizations, municipalities, Tribal Nations, and agencies in North Carolina can apply for The Nature Conservancy’s Resilient and Connected Appalachians funding, with awards up to US $100,000 for land acquisition and related project costs. Projects must lie within the Appalachians Program boundary and emphasize equitable community benefits and climate-resilient connectivity.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored programs in Eastern North Carolina can seek $25,000 - $50,000 for community-focused health, education, and economic development work. Camber Foundation provides North Carolina community organizations with one-year general operating or project support for efforts like healthcare access, mental health, postsecondary attainment, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and digital opportunity.

Nonprofit community development organizations working on housing, small business, or workforce development projects, including those in North Carolina, can host a graduate-level NCRC Fellow to advance real-world initiatives. National Community Reinvestment Coalition provides NCRC members with part-time fellows and training support, with priority for hosts in select cities and regions across the U.S.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in North Carolina working on education, healthcare, or housing projects can apply for grants of US $500 - US $15,000 to support local community initiatives. The Raymond J and Mary C Reisert Foundation focuses on projects in selected eastern and Raleigh-area counties that improve quality of life for neighbors.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering programs in Charlotte, North Carolina can seek funding for affordable housing, financial education, or workforce development initiatives that advance economic mobility. Grants from Ally Charitable Foundation help North Carolina community development organizations expand quality housing access, deliver financial literacy tools, and create college and career pathways for underserved residents.

Rural, community-based 501(c)(3) organizations in North Carolina using grassroots organizing for social, economic, or environmental justice can seek general or project support through the Hubert E. Sapp Regular Grant Cycle. Grants from Southern Partners Fund help strengthen rural communities and leaders, which may benefit groups advancing community development and revitalization efforts.

Enterprise Community Partners

Enterprise Community Partners is a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for the millions of families without one. Home is where life happens, where plans are made, and futures begin. It is the foundation for dignity, health, education, wealth, and community. Yet rents keep going up, paychecks don’t keep pace, and good homes in strong neighborhoods are increasingly out of reach.

The system doesn’t work. It must be changed, and it must be changed by us.

Enterprise has the breadth, scale, and expertise to do it. We support community development organizations on the ground. We aggregate and invest billions to improve housing and strengthen communities across the U.S. We advance housing policy at every level of government. We build and manage communities ourselves. Everything we do is informed by the residents we serve.

Together with our partners, we focus on the greatest need — the massive shortage of affordable rental homes — to achieve three goals:

• Increase the supply of affordable homes
• Advance racial equity after decades of systematic racism in housing
• Support residents and strengthen communities to be resilient to the unpredictable, and make upward mobility possible

Since 1982, we have invested $92.0 billion and created 1.1 million homes across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We do all this to make home and community places of pride, power, and belonging.

National Housing Innovation Grant Competition

Home is foundational. It’s where we plant roots, raise and care for our families, and build community bonds. Yet in every corner of the country, millions of people of all ages and backgrounds need a home they can afford.

Wells Fargo is meeting this moment with a powerful grant opportunity. Together with Enterprise, Wells Fargo has launched the third iteration of the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge. The 2026 cycle of the housing innovation competition will identify and propel proven, ready-to-scale solutions that transform current practices and increase housing choice and access.

Eligible applicants will compete for five individual grants of $2 million to advance their innovation and drive meaningful, systems-level change in the housing and adjacent industries. Winners will gain access to mentorship and coaching from industry leaders and experts and join a powerful network of Breakthrough Challenge innovators.

Focus Areas

This third cycle of the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge aims to meet the nation’s affordable housing challenges across all types of communities: Native, rural, suburban, tribal, and urban.

Proposals must encompass one or more of three focus areas:

• Design and Construction
• Finance
• Service Delivery and Programs

Applicants will be asked to show how their proof of concept or pilot program has achieved clear outcomes and success, and provide a clear pathway to expanding the innovation’s reach and impact

Round 1: Criteria and Scoring

Your innovation must meet the criteria below to advance to the official scoring stage.

Type of Community

Innovations can serve all types of communities:

• Rural
• Urban
• Suburban
• Tribal

Location

Priority scoring will be given to applications from entities that are based in – or whose innovations are designed for – one or more of these 28 states, plus D.C.:

• Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C.

Affordability

Innovations must serve residents at these income levels:

• Rental: 80% AMI or below
• Homeownership: 120% AMI or below
• Workforce housing: 120% AMI or below

The GSK IMPACT Awards in North Carolina honor outstanding nonprofit organizations making a significant impact on community health. This annual program, in partnership with the Triangle Community Foundation, recognizes up to ten organizations for their exemplary contributions to health and wellness. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to improving community health through innovative and effective programs. Eligible organizations must operate in the Triangle area and meet specific criteria regarding revenue and community impact.

North Carolina 501(c)(3)s, colleges, universities, religious entities, and government units can seek US $30,000 - US $100,000 to advance state-level systemic change benefiting North Carolinians. Grants from Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation support advocacy, research, organizing, and related strategies in education, environment, social and economic justice, and democracy, with emphasis on historically marginalized communities and multi-year general operating support.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored groups in eastern North Carolina can apply for $25,000 - $50,000 grants supporting education, health, and human services programs. Grants from North Carolina Community Foundation’s Louise Oriole Burevitch Endowment may benefit community development efforts, especially those serving women, children, youth, the elderly, and southeastern North Carolina counties.

With a mission to strengthen communities, Truist Foundation provides North Carolina nonprofits focused on workforce and career pathways with US $10,000 - US $250,000 for innovative training, AI literacy, and wraparound services. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) organizations headquartered in the U.S. within the Truist footprint, serving adult workers and supporting economic mobility.

This grant opportunity supports North Carolina nonprofits and public agencies serving Western counties through human services and education initiatives. Funding up to $25,000 targets economically disadvantaged residents, expanding access to early childhood, K–12, and adult education, including workforce-aligned training that improves long-term economic stability and community resilience.

Nonprofit organizations in North Carolina can receive project-specific funding for innovative arts or human services initiatives, including capital improvements, program development, equipment, and technology. John William Pope Foundation provides US $20,000 - US $100,000 for projects that produce measurable benefits for the organization and community, which may strengthen local community development efforts.