Best Cary Grants for Nonprofits in North Carolina

The Awesome Foundation offers Local Chapter Grants of $1000 to individuals and groups for innovative projects that enhance community engagement. Each chapter operates independently, focusing on unique interpretations of 'awesome' across various fields such as arts and technology. Grants are awarded monthly, emphasizing no-strings-attached support. This initiative encourages creativity and experimentation, aiming to inspire and delight communities worldwide. For more details, applicants can explore individual chapter preferences and restrictions through the foundation's website.

The Cameron Charitable Trust Grant, established by Edward Alexander Cameron, aims to support underprivileged individuals and those in poor health. The trust primarily funds organizations in North Carolina's triangle region that qualify as 501(c)(3) charities. Grants focus on health and human services, prioritizing those that demonstrate efficient use of funds and have a significant impact on their communities. The trust has no strict geographic limitations, but it favors local charities.

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 501(c)(3) organizations in Cary, North Carolina working on youth services, children’s health, hunger, or early childhood programs can receive monetary or in-kind dining certificate support. Brinker International provides Cary nonprofits with one donation per year for events, with requests submitted online at least six weeks in advance.

The Jean Griswold Foundation

The Jean Griswold Foundation (JGF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Caregivers through educational opportunities and scholarships. 

Our Mission

The mission of the Jean Griswold Foundation is to support Caregivers by providing educational scholarships* to enable them to further their training, enhance their careers, and better assist the clients they serve.

By offering educational scholarships*, our Foundation will not only make a positive impact on the Caregivers themselves, but also the clients they assist and the home healthcare agencies where they are employed, as well as help advance the overarching home-care industry.

Scholarships will be paid directly to the federally accredited educational institutions of the winning Scholars’ choosing.

Empowering Caregivers Through Education

The Jean Griswold Foundation Scholarship Program awards scholarships to deserving Caregivers who wish to further their education in a care-related field. Applicants do not have to be associated with Griswold in any way, and the funds will be paid directly to the institution where the caregiver will be receiving education.  

Our Winter 2026 Scholarship Application period is now open! Applications will be accepted until 11:59pm ET August 31, 2026. Join our email list to get the first notice of all Scholarship happenings.  

Where would we be without Caregivers? 

Their selflessness is astounding, yet they are often overlooked and underappreciated. 

The Jean Griswold Foundation is dedicated to supporting Caregivers, the backbone of the care industry. We provide educational scholarships so Care Professionals can further their training, enhance their skills, elevate their careers, and better assist the people they serve.

The Raymond J. and Mary C. Reisert Foundation Grant aims to enhance community well-being by supporting local 501(c)(3) organizations in education, healthcare, and housing initiatives. Grants typically range from $500 to $15,000, with an emphasis on projects in Eastern North Carolina, Long Island, NY, and Central Maine. The foundation has awarded over 300 grants since its inception, reflecting its commitment to impactful community partnerships and ongoing evaluation of funded projects.

The Emergency Solutions Grant Program (NC) aims to support non-profits and local governments in providing services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. The program includes activities such as street outreach, emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, and homelessness prevention, with a total funding allocation of $433,683 for the CoC. Agencies are encouraged to submit applications to ensure essential services are provided.

The Enbridge Safe Community First Responder Program is designed to support emergency response organizations across Canada and the U.S. by providing grants for safety equipment, training, and educational programs. Launched in 2002, it has invested over $22 million in enhancing community safety. Eligible organizations include fire departments and medical services located near Enbridge operations. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $10,000, helping improve the capabilities of first responders in rural and underserved areas.

International Paper Grants focus on community engagement, emphasizing education, hunger relief, health & wellness, and disaster relief. They support nonprofit organizations that demonstrate good financial standing and effective management. Eligible organizations must operate in areas where International Paper has facilities. The foundation prioritizes local needs, particularly critical and environmental issues, while encouraging employee involvement. Ineligible entities include private foundations and those without a local presence. Applications are accepted through mid-September in the U.S. and Canada.

The Union Home Foundation Grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that promote economic self-sufficiency through financial literacy and housing initiatives. Established in 2015, this grant has awarded over $2 million to various nonprofits across the U.S. Grants typically start at $1,000 and are available for a one-year period. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and can only apply once per year, following specific eligibility criteria.

Every Dream of Parenthood Deserves a Chance

Making dreams of parenthood a reality, one grant and one bundle of joy at a time.

Our Mission

The Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund is dedicated to advancing access to IVF care and coverage, increasing awareness and providing support so others don’t have to navigate infertility alone.

Apply for a Grant

Your Journey to Parenthood Begins Here

We distribute grant awards up to three times annually.

Please note that the number of grants and funding amounts fluctuate based on:

1) the unique needs of our applicants, and

2) the success of our fundraising efforts.

Our mission is to help as many people as possible.

Established 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on organizational growth and development in Cary, North Carolina and the broader Triangle may be eligible for scenario-planning support and general operating grants up to US $10,000. With a mission to strengthen resilient nonprofits, Paul Green Foundation offers virtual workshops and coaching to help leaders navigate change and sustain core services.

The Erie Insurance Giving Network Grant supports organizations focused on community building, safety, and environmental responsibility. Grants under $10,000 can be submitted at any time, while larger requests follow specific deadlines. Priority is given to organizations with community representation in their governing bodies. Eligible entities include nonprofit organizations, accredited educational institutions, and municipalities. The initiative emphasizes a commitment to diversity and inclusion, aligning with ERIE's corporate values.

The JetBlue Foundation is dedicated to enhancing aviation-related education and STEM initiatives, aiming to inspire future aviation leaders. Offering grants up to $50,000, it supports educational organizations that focus on aviation technology, engineering, operations, and maintenance. The foundation prioritizes programs benefiting under-represented communities in aviation, including veterans, women, and diverse groups, ensuring a broader range of voices in the industry.

The Fidelity Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations that aim for high impact in areas like Arts, Education, and Health. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations with operating budgets over $1 million and project budgets of at least $100,000. The foundation seeks transformative projects that enhance efficiency and sustainability. However, it does not fund start-up organizations, capital campaigns without prior support, or emergency funding, ensuring a focus on long-term effectiveness.

The PNC Foundation's Grow Up Great Grant is a significant initiative aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for children from birth to age 5. With a commitment of $500 million, this program focuses on improving school readiness through support in vocabulary development, social-emotional learning, and the arts. By partnering with community-based nonprofits, PNC aims to foster stronger, smarter, and healthier communities, ensuring a brighter future for the next generation.

Academy Sports + Outdoors, a leading sporting goods retailer, supports community initiatives by providing donations to registered 501(c)(3) organizations. Their focus is on promoting safety and responsibility in sports and outdoor activities. Proposals must foster community engagement and must not be affiliated with religious or political groups. Events should take place in areas with Academy stores, ensuring a positive local impact while encouraging active lifestyles and connection among community members.

The White Oak Foundation College Scholarship Grant is now accepting applications for the 2024 academic year. This scholarship offers a minimum award of $1,000. Eligible applicants must have completed at least one semester in higher education with a GPA of 2.5 or above. Awards will be presented during the Foundation's 15th Annual Scholarship Awards celebration on July 28, 2024, at the Chatham County Agricultural & Conference Center.

Purpose of the Fund

This fund provides timely assistance to residents and nonprofits in Orange, Durham, Johnston, and Wake counties when a crisis interrupts everyday life. Grounded in our Invest–Convene–Amplify approach, it strengthens the region’s ability to respond quickly and ensures families and community partners get the help they need without delay. Because it is fueled entirely by donor support, every contribution goes directly to stabilizing neighbors and helping them move forward.

Individuals Experiencing Financial Hardship

Residents in any of the four counties can apply directly.

Eligible support may include housing stability, food access, transportation, or other essential needs created by a crisis.

Award Amount:

Up to $1,000 per approved application.



Our Impact | Responsive Grantmaking

Complex organizational change continues to be a challenge for many Triangle nonprofits and the sector more broadly. Therefore, we’re building on learnings from the first call for proposals and nonprofit support activities in the last year to launch another Responsive Grantmaking call for proposals.

This cycle will provide a cohort-based scenario-planning initiative to help nonprofit leaders navigate uncertainty with greater clarity and confidence. This opportunity includes virtual cohort-based workshops, individualized coaching, and the opportunity to receive a general operating grant of up to $10,000 to support participation and/or implementation of scenario-planning next steps.

Cohort Overview

We anticipate awarding 20-30 nonprofits the opportunity to participate in scenario planning in partnership with Community Wealth Partners, a trusted consultant. Building on 20+ years of experience supporting nonprofit leaders through complex challenges, Community Wealth Partners designed this program to meet nonprofits where they are, accounting for shifting conditions, limited capacity, and the need for practical tools that build long-term resilience.

Scenario planning supports nonprofits by helping manage uncertainty, envisioning new opportunities, identifying unexpected threats, and building organizational resilience.

Program Goals

Support established Triangle nonprofits to maintain their capacity through a period of organizational change so they can continue providing core services and strategize how to best remain agile, innovative, and responsive to community needs moving forward. 

Understand and promote promising tools and practices to support nonprofits through a period of significant organizational change. 

Scenario Planning Activities: (Anticipated to occur over a +/- 3-month period)

Virtual Workshops: Three 90-minute sessions guiding participants through a five-step process, with real-time application to their organization’s challenges and space to complete their own scenario plan.

Coaching: Up to 3 hours of individualized coaching support to help leaders work through the steps of the scenario planning process with hands-on guidance in decision-making.

Grantmaking

Opportunities for a general operating grant up to $10,000 will be based on participation in the scenario planning cohort.

The Foundation hopes funding to support participation and/or activities to implement scenario plans.

This initiative is designed to foster long-term financial resilience and sustainability. By going “beyond the grant,” the Foundation aims to provide comprehensive support and invest in strong, resilient, sustainable nonprofits.

Amount

TBD, based on participation in scenario planning cohort

Cox Enterprises Scholarship Program

A need-based scholarship for students attending UNCF member institutions with preference given to students majoring in STEM.

Individual Award

• Up to $5,000

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation focuses on improving economic mobility and social progress through partnerships with nonprofits. It prioritizes basic needs, income creation, stable housing, and community empowerment. By supporting vulnerable populations, the foundation aims to enable individuals to achieve their goals and contribute positively to their communities. The foundation emphasizes sustainable progress, ensuring that all community members have access to essential resources and opportunities for growth.

The Nationwide Insurance Foundation Grant aims to enhance community quality of life by providing support to nonprofits in areas where many Nationwide members reside. Since 2000, the foundation has donated over $700 million to various organizations, focusing on food security, crisis stabilization, economic empowerment, and children's wellbeing. Grants are available for general operating support, project/program support, and capital support, with a commitment to matching associate contributions.

The Corning Nonprofit Grants program supports community-based initiatives in education, human services, and culture. Eligible nonprofits that align with our criteria may apply for funding on a rolling basis. The application window for invited organizations runs from February 10 to September 15. We emphasize local impact within a 20-mile radius of Corning, NY, ensuring that our contributions foster collective growth and engagement in the community.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on education, food security, or animal welfare programs in Cary, North Carolina may be eligible, as Seaboard Foundation includes Wake County, North Carolina in its service areas. Grants from Seaboard Foundation help these organizations support local communities where the company operates.

The Ferguson Cares Grant is an essential aspect of Ferguson's Sustainability strategy, focusing on social challenges and community wellbeing. This grant supports nonprofit organizations in the U.S. dedicated to affordable housing, skilled trades workforce development, clean water access, and enhancing local economic quality of life. Ferguson aims to create lasting partnerships that drive positive impact within their operational regions, reflecting their commitment to social responsibility and community support.

Spectrum Digital Education Grants support nonprofit organizations in educating communities about broadband benefits and usage. These grants aim to bridge the digital divide, particularly for seniors and those with disabilities or ethnically diverse backgrounds. Applicants must demonstrate community partnership, address specific needs, and provide measurable impact metrics. With a focus on financial feasibility and meaningful outcomes, this initiative ensures that underrepresented urban and rural communities gain access to essential digital resources, fostering long-term improvement in their lives.