Search Through Charlotte Grants for Nonprofits in North Carolina

First Horizon Foundation invests in communities in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina.

The Foundation is the private charitable foundation established by First Horizon National Corp., the parent company of Capital Bank and First Tennessee Bank. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has donated more than $90 million to meet needs and enrich lives of people in the communities we serve.

Contributions from the Foundation include the following areas:

• Arts and Culture
• Education & Leadership
• Environment
• Financial Literacy
• Health & Human Services

Leon Levine Foundation

Established in 1980, The Leon Levine Foundation supports programs and organizations that improve the human condition through investments in education, healthcare, human services and Jewish values. Based in Charlotte, N.C., the Foundation invests in nonprofits across North Carolina and South Carolina with strong leadership, a track record of success, and a plan for financial sustainability. Through its investments, the Foundation intends to create pathways to self-sufficiency, champion strategies for permanent change, and facilitate opportunities for growth.

The Plus Collective

We are a giving program and foundation that awards grants to organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community in the Charlotte region while also cultivating partnerships with community allies.

Grassroots Grants

The Plus Collective (TPC) will award grants to Charlotte-area organizations serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community.

Grassroots Grants are intended to build capacity and strengthen the effectiveness of startup organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) nonprofit status) whose primary objective is to serve the Charlotte-Mecklenburg LGBTQ+ community, allowing TPC to reach organizations with unmet needs that fall outside of the current Basic Operating and Programs, Projects, and Events (PPE) Grant parameters. As such, there is no formal grant cycle; all applications will be reviewed by the TPC Grants Committee and decisioned by the TPC Board as received. Grassroots Grants will be awarded to support general operations as specified in the grant application that exemplify the vision of The Plus Collective:

Grassroots Grants cannot exceed $5,000.

Funding Priorities

Applicant organizations should exemplify TPC’s vision: The organizations’ services should support the following:

• Building understanding and appreciation, as well as promoting the value of inclusion within the organization’s circle of influence, for LGBTQ+ populations.
• Cultivating leadership opportunities for LGBTQ+ people.
• Engaging and including people with diverse backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender identity in programs, services and organizational values.

Funding Considerations

As you complete your application, give special consideration to documenting the following criteria which will be used in making grant decisions:

• Scope of impact: The organization has a positive impact on its audience and the Charlotte LGBTQ+ community.
• Nurtures individuals to actualize their potential: The program, project or event supports individuals within the LGBTQ+ community in their personal journey through acceptance, pride, support of community and leadership.
• Presents a positive image of LGBTQ+ people to the community: The program, project or event presents a fair and positive understanding of people who are LBGTQ+.
• Effectiveness: The organization is effective at utilizing resources to provide the services and benefits it offers.
• Budget: The organization’s budget presents reasonable costs for services performed and an efficient way to achieve the objectives.
• Diversity: The organization engages and includes people of color, trans individuals and others typically underserved within the LGBTQ+ community.
• Defined measures: The organization identifies clear objectives and uses relevant metrics and measures to define a successful outcome.
• Organizational experience: The organization has the appropriate talent, skills, and experience to execute its objectives and effectively utilize grant funds.

PNC Foundation

Strengthening and enriching the lives of our neighbors in communities where we live and work.

Vision & Mission

For decades, we have provided resources to seed ideas, foster development initiatives and encourage leadership in nonprofit organizations where imagination and determination are at work enhancing people's lives everyday.

The PNC Foundation's priority is to form partnerships with community-based nonprofit organizations in order to enhance educational opportunities, with an emphasis on early childhood education, and to promote the growth of communities through economic development initiatives.

Foundation Grant

The PNC Foundation supports a variety of nonprofit organizations with a special emphasis on those that work to achieve sustainability and touch a diverse population, in particular, those that support early childhood education and/or economic development.

Education

The PNC Foundation supports educational programs for children and youth, particularly early childhood education initiatives that meet the criteria established through PNC Grow Up Great. Specifically, PNC Grow Up Great grants must:

• Support early education initiatives that benefit children from birth to age five; and
• Serve a majority of children (>50%) from low- to moderate-income families; and
• Adhere to all other standard PNC Foundation guidelines, as outlined on the PNC Foundation website, applicant eligibility quiz, as well as the Foundation policies and procedures; and
• Include one or a combination of the following:
  • direct services/programs for children in their classroom or community;
  • professional development/workforce development for early childhood educators;
  • family and/or community engagement in children’s early learning
• Additional considerations:
  • The grant focus should include math, science, reading, vocabulary development, the arts, financial education, or social/emotional development.
  • The grant recipient, or collaborative partner, should have early childhood education as an area of focus. If the organization’s focus is beyond birth to age five, the specific grant must be earmarked for birth to age five.
  • Incorporate opportunities for PNC volunteers in classroom or non-classroom-based activities.

Economic Development

Economic development organizations, including those which enhance the quality of life through neighborhood revitalization, cultural enrichment and human services are given support. Priority is given to community development initiatives that strategically promote the growth of low-and moderate-income communities and/or provide services to these communities.

• Affordable Housing
  • The PNC Foundation understands the critical need for affordable housing for low-and moderate-income individuals.
  • We are committed to providing support to nonprofit organizations that:
    • give counseling and services to help these individuals maintain their housing stock;
    • offer transitional housing units and programs; and/or
    • offer credit counseling assistance to individuals, helping them to prepare for homeownership.
• Community Development
  • Because small businesses are often critical components of community growth and help foster business development, the PNC Foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations that
    • offer technical assistance to, or loan programs for, small businesses located in low-and moderate-income areas or
    • support small businesses that employ low-and moderate-income individuals.
• Community Services
  • Support is given to social services organizations that benefit the health, education, quality of life or provide essential services for low-and moderate-income individuals and families.
  • The PNC Foundation supports job training programs and organizations that provide essential services for their families.
• Arts & Culture
  • Support is given for cultural enrichment programs benefitting the community.
• Revitalization & Stabilization of Low-and Moderate-Income Areas
  • The PNC Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that serve low-and moderate-income neighborhoods by improving living and working conditions.
  • Support is given to organizations that help stabilize communities, eliminate blight and attract and retain businesses and residents to the community.

Mission

Driven by a philanthropic calling to support marginalized communities throughout the world, the Semnani Family Foundation partners with on-the-ground organizations and leverages its resources in a cost-effective and efficient manner that delivers the maximum benefit.

History

Guided by his grandmother Maliheh’s example and teachings, Khosrow Semnani and his wife Ghazaleh established the Semnani Family Foundation in 1993. The foundation’s first grant was issued through CARE International to an orphanage in Romania that cared for newborns affected by HIV. Over the last few decades, the foundation has continued to build upon its mission to empower the disaffected, partnering with a variety of organizations in different countries who can make the greatest impact.

In addition to its global influence, the Semnani Family Foundation established roots within the state of Utah with the founding of Maliheh Free Clinic in 2005 to provide free healthcare to thousands of uninsured people in the Salt Lake City area.

Where We Work

The Semnani Family Foundation focuses primarily on promoting health, education, and disaster relief for marginalized communities all around the world. Driven by a clear mission to adapt and serve at the global level, we have leveraged our resources to make a meaningful impact in the following countries so far:

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia
• Colombia
• England
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Guatemala
• India
• Iran
• Kenya
• Madagascar
• Mali
• Mexico
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Romania
• Somalia
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Tonga
• Uganda
• United States
• Yemen

At the heart of the Foundation lies a fervent commitment to human welfare, always prioritizing health and the needs of society’s most vulnerable.

Scholarship America Inc 

Scholarship America is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating financial barriers to higher education and ensuring every student has the opportunity to achieve their academic goals. Founded in 1958, the organization has awarded more than $5.7 billion in scholarships to over 3.2 million students. By partnering with corporations, foundations, and educational institutions, Scholarship America designs and administers scholarship and student aid programs that make education more accessible, equitable, and sustainable for learners across the country.

Mission: To eliminate financial barriers to educational success so that every student can pursue their dream.

Vision: A world in which every student has access to the resources and support needed to learn, grow, and complete their education with manageable debt.

Priorities

• Administering impactful, high-quality scholarship and tuition assistance programs that align with donor goals and student needs.
• Expanding access and affordability for underrepresented and underserved students through partnerships and community collaboration.
• Providing emergency aid and retention support to help students persist and complete their education successfully.

The Gryphon Scholarship Program

Churchill Asset Management has established a scholarship program to assist current high school seniors or individuals who have graduated from a school located in select metropolitan areas (see Eligibility section below) and are planning to pursue full-time undergraduate study at a four-year college or university.

The program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team.

History

The Merancas Foundation was founded by Anke and Casey Mermans in 1989. The couple was bothered to see people work hard yet not be able to afford a basic living. They knew they could help make a difference in the lives of those in need. Guided by the principle that philanthropy should be an investment in our communities, The Merancas Foundation has sought out partners that can deliver services to deserving individuals and families. While we understand that the frameworks of poverty and opportunity are complex, we are committed to continue investing in our communities as long as we have the resources to do so. Please read our mission, vision, and values to understand how we plan to tackle these challenges going forward.

About

Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, The Merancas Foundation is a private foundation guided by the belief that anyone who works hard should be able to achieve a sustainable living. The Foundation invests in local nonprofits that support those in crisis, provide pathways for adults to achieve self-sufficiency, and help children reach their greatest potential. 

Guidelines

While we recognize the importance of the many nonprofit organizations in our service areas, The Merancas Foundation is focused only on providing grants to organizations that fulfill its mission through programs and services.

The Plus Collective

We are a giving program and foundation that awards grants to organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community in the Charlotte region while also cultivating partnerships with community allies.

Programs, Projects, and Events (PP&E) Grants

The Plus Collective (TPC) will award up to $25,000 in Programs, Projects and Events (PPE) Grants to a select group of Charlotte-area organizations serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community.

Programs, Projects and Events (PPE) Grants are awarded to encourage LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to serve the Charlotte-Mecklenburg LGBTQ+ community either directly or in partnership with another organization(s). The program, project or event should exemplify the vision of

LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ organizations are eligible for (i) ONE direct PPE Grant of up to $5,000 or (ii) ONE PPE grant of up to $7,500 if applying in partnership with another 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization(s).

Organizations may apply for either a Basic Operating Grant or a Programs, Projects and Events (PPE) Grant, but NOT both.

Funding Priorities

Applicant organizations should exemplify TPC’s vision: The organizations’ services should support the following:

• Building understanding and appreciation, as well as promoting the value of inclusion within the organization’s circle of influence, for LGBTQ+ populations.
• Cultivating leadership opportunities for LGBTQ+ people.
• Engaging and including people with diverse backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender identity in programs, services and organizational values.

Funding Considerations

As you complete your application, give special consideration to documenting the following criteria which will be used in making grant decisions:

• Scope of impact: The organization has a positive impact on its audience and the Charlotte LGBTQ+ community.
• Nurtures individuals to actualize their potential: The program, project or event supports individuals within the LGBTQ+ community in their personal journey through acceptance, pride, support of community and leadership.
• Presents a positive image of LGBTQ+ people to the community: The program, project or event presents a fair and positive understanding of people who are LBGTQ+.
• Effectiveness: The organization is effective at utilizing resources to provide the services and benefits it offers.
• Budget: The organization’s budget presents reasonable costs for services performed and an efficient way to achieve the objectives.
• Diversity: The organization engages and includes people of color, trans individuals and others typically underserved within the LGBTQ+ community.
• Defined measures: The organization identifies clear objectives and uses relevant metrics and measures to define a successful outcome.
• Timeline: The proposed timeline is realistic for accomplishing the outcomes.
• Organizational experience: The organization has the appropriate talent, skills, and experience to execute its objectives and effectively utilize grant funds.

The Plus Collective

We are a giving program and foundation that awards grants to organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community in the Charlotte region while also cultivating partnerships with community allies.

Basic Operating Grants

The Plus Collective (TPC) will award Operating Grants to Charlotte-area organizations serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community.

Basic Operating Grants are intended to build capacity and strengthen the effectiveness of 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations whose primary objective is to serve the Charlotte-Mecklenburg LGBTQ+ community. Grants will be awarded to support the general operations of organizations that exemplify the vision of

Organizations may apply for either a Basic Operating Grant or a Programs, Projects and Events (PPE) Grant, but NOT both.

Funding Priorities

Applicant organizations should exemplify TPC’s vision: The organizations’ services should support the following:

• Building understanding and appreciation, as well as promoting the value of inclusion within the organization’s circle of influence, for LGBTQ+ populations.
• Cultivating leadership opportunities for LGBTQ+ people.
• Engaging and including people with diverse backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender identity in programs, services and organizational values.

Funding Considerations

As you complete your application, give special consideration to documenting the following criteria which will be used in making grant decisions:

• Scope of impact: The organization has a positive impact on its audience and the Charlotte LGBTQ+ community.
• Effectiveness: The organization is effective at utilizing resources to provide the services and benefits it offers.
• Budget: The organization’s budget presents reasonable costs for services performed and an efficient way to achieve the objectives.
• Diversity: The organization engages and includes people of color, trans individuals and others typically underserved within the LGBTQ+ community.
• Defined measures: The organization identifies clear objectives and uses relevant metrics and measures to define a successful outcome.
• Organizational experience: The organization has the appropriate talent, skills, and experience to execute its objectives and effectively utilize grant funds.

The Dayton Foundation 

The The Dayton Foundation, established in 1921, is the region’s oldest and largest community foundation serving Greater Dayton, Ohio. It helps individuals, families, and organizations fulfill their charitable goals by managing permanent funds, awarding grants, and offering scholarships. Having awarded over $1.2 billion in grants and managing more than 4,100 funds, the Foundation acts as a significant regional philanthropic partner committed to strengthening the social, economic, and cultural fabric of the community.

Mission and Priorities

The Foundation’s mission is to help donors and organizations "help others" through philanthropic services, strategic grantmaking, and community leadership. With a vision of creating a vibrant and inclusive Greater Dayton, the Foundation focuses on building capacity for nonprofits, promoting equitable opportunities, and collaborating across sectors to address community challenges. Its priorities include supporting education and workforce development, enhancing health and human services, advancing arts and culture, and responding to urgent regional needs through initiatives like disaster relief and community recovery.

John and Charlotte Michael Family Memorial Scholarship

The John and Charlotte Michael Family Memorial Scholarship Fund of The Dayton Foundation was established in 1995 to honor the commitment of this family to join together annually to celebrate its heritage by offering scholarships, in the name of their ancestors, to students in the communities of Jefferson Township, Germantown and Farmersville.

Background

The Longleaf Fund’s program invests in capital projects to strengthen the character and achievement of at-risk children and youth in communities across the Carolinas. Teaming together with strong nonprofit partners, Longleaf Fund grants encourage communities to reach higher and create opportunities for a brighter future for its youth. The Longleaf Fund is an anonymous donor advised fund at Foundation For The Carolinas (FFTC).

 Investment Areas

Longleaf Fund grants have a particular emphasis on one-time capital projects that fall within one of the following three areas:

• Build community and increase daily physical activity by building or enhancing age-appropriate, accessible space for play, sports and recreational activities
• Promote learning, especially for at-risk youth, with a particular emphasis on creating or improving access to technology
• Enhance the quality of life for children, ages 0-18, with disabilities (physical and/or mental) by improving their educational or physical environment and developing the children’s physical capabilities

Type of funding available: 

Capital projects, including

• buildings & structures, athletic fields, climbing walls, parks serving children, playgrounds, camp facilities with an emphasis on sports and active lifestyle and other indoor and outdoor recreational facilities; sports equipment, including adaptive sports equipment for disabled children

Education technology projects, including:

• refurbishing or building computer labs and other physical spaces supporting the use of technology; hardware, software, printers and technological devices

Adaptive equipment and/or assistive technology

At Ally, our purpose is to advance economic mobility and reduce inequities through innovative philanthropy and programing that inspires social change, with a focus on:

• Affordable Housing
  • To impact affordable housing, we make grants to nonprofit organizations that focus on expanding access to quality affordable housing and enabling pathways toward permanent housing solutions.
• Financial Education
  • To impact financial education, we make grants to nonprofit organizations that focus on providing underserved communities with the tools and resources that address key financial concepts to help end disparities and advance economic mobility.
• Workforce Development
  • To impact workforce development, we make grants to nonprofit organizations that focus on providing individuals with access to college and career pathways that will help advance economic mobility in underserved communities.

Our philanthropic giving strategy is aligned to these focus areas to increase impact through purposeful collaboration and community engagement.

Description

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation (CMCF) is a permanent endowment at Foundation For The Carolinas. CMCF’s Board of Advisors directs its grantmaking to support a community where every resident is afforded the opportunity to be well-educated, safely housed, meaningfully employed and actively engaged in community decisions. CMCF views itself as an investor in the community and is interested in creating the highest possible levels of community gain, focused on improving the lives of residents in Mecklenburg County, N.C.

Result and Investment Areas

CMCF’s intended investments for this grant opportunity originate from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Opportunity Task Force Report (March 2017) and Leading on Opportunity’s Opportunity Compass. Launched in 2022, the Opportunity Compass is a tool that provides a shared language for the key determinants of economic mobility and establishes a baseline for future progress for our community. Recognizing the importance of investing in efforts that we know move the needle on economic mobility, the most competitive applications in this grant cycle will clearly demonstrate how their organization’s work addresses at least one economic mobility indicator reflected within the Opportunity Compass. CMCF encourages all applicants to explore the Opportunity Compass prior to applying.

Cradle to Career

A child’s earliest years have a profound and lasting impact on their school success, their career success, and their lives. CMCF seeks proposals that address early childhood (birth to kindergarten) and college and career readiness (elementary school to age 24). Priority will be given to proposals that will:

• Ensure access to safe and enriching early care and education or strengthen the early care and education workforce in Mecklenburg County, N.C.
• Support parents and other caregivers as a child’s first teacher in promoting positive early brain development.
• Broaden the range of and access to high-quality college and career pathways offered by K-12 and post-secondary institutions and equip students with the necessary information and guidance to understand them.
• Create more on-ramps to education, training, and employment for disconnected youth and young adults, including paid work-based learning opportunities for students.
• Expand and strengthen support for first-generation or low-socioeconomic status students as they transition to and complete post-secondary education.

Pew Biomedical Scholars 

The Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences provides funding to young investigators of outstanding promise in science relevant to the advancement of human health. The program makes grants to selected academic institutions to support the independent research of outstanding individuals who are in their first few years of their appointment at the assistant professor level.

Based on their performance during their education and training, candidates should demonstrate outstanding promise as contributors in science relevant to human health. Strong proposals will incorporate particularly creative and pioneering approaches to basic, translational, and applied biomedical research. Candidates whose work is based on biomedical principles but who bring in concepts and theories from more diverse fields are encouraged to apply.

Ideas with the potential to produce an unusually high impact are encouraged. Selection of the successful candidates will be based on a detailed description of the work that the applicant proposes to undertake, evaluations of the candidate’s performance, and notable past accomplishments, including honors, awards, and publications. In evaluating the candidates, the National Advisory Committee gives considerable weight to both the project proposal and the researcher, including evidence that the candidate is a successful independent investigator and has the skill set needed to carry out their high-impact proposal.

Funding from the NIH, other government sources, and project grants from nonprofit associations do not pose a conflict with the Pew scholars program.

Funding

The current grant level is $300,000.

An award of $75,000 per year for four years will be provided to the sponsoring institution for use by the scholar, subject to annual review of the scholar’s progress. Grant agreements will be issued in August of the award year. The awarded funds may be used at the discretion of the Pew scholar, for personnel, equipment, supplies, or travel directly related to the scholar's research and as to best advance his or her research and career.

• The amount of the award that may be used for the principal investigator’s salary is limited to $12,500 per year (including benefits) or $50,000 over the duration of the grant. There are no limits on student or postdoctoral salaries.
• Not more than 8 percent ($24,000) of the total award value may be allocated for facilities and administration (F&A) charges or indirect costs (IDCs).
• Should the funds not be immediately required, they may be accumulated and carried over through the grant period and, with written approval of the program office, the grant may receive a no-cost extension for one additional year (without additional funds).
• Subawards are allowed.

During the four-year grant term, program participants are required to attend an annual meeting held in March or April. All eligible expenses for attendees’ travel, lodging, and meals are paid by Pew. The meeting provides Pew scholars with an opportunity to present their research and for scientific collaboration and exchange with other scholars and members of the National Advisory Committee.

Calling to Serve

Since its inception in 2016, the Robinson Foundation has sought to demonstrate God’s love through sharing the gifts we have received. We understand the often unspoken hardships and struggles that people in and outside of our community face everyday. As such, our contributions are focused on relieving these hardships for the betterment of our world.

As a family-operated foundation, we pray that our small efforts will not only create immediate change in the lives of our neighbors, but will help set those lives on a course for success in the future. We are thankful for each and every day we have on this earth to use what God has granted us to make a difference.

Areas of Interest

• Animal Welfare
• Children & Families
• Disaster Relief
• Education
• Medical Assistance
• Nature & Wildlife Conservation
• Poverty Relief
• Religious & Spiritual Endeavors
• Veterans' Issues

Grant Considerations

We take many different aspects of applications into account when making grant issuing decisions, however these are some of the high-level questions we ask ourselves during the process:

• How does the organization serve their key audience goals?
• Is the organization fiscally responsible?
• Will a grant have a tangible, meaningful impact?
• Will we see direct results from this grant?
• Does the organization have other financial contributors?

Charlotte B. Proehl Foundation

For the support of charitable organizations in the Greater Houston, Texas area.

Program Areas

• Animal Welfare
• Arts and Culture
• Civic Activities
• Community Development
• Education
• Environment
• Human and Social Services
• Religious
• Health and Medical Research
• Scientific

Introduction

A variety of factors influence a person’s health, including access to health care services, healthy food, and transportation. To tackle these challenges and improve health outcomes, we are collaborating with local organizations with a deep understanding of the community through our Health Zones initiative. We are committed to enhancing the coordination of health care and social services while dismantling barriers to health and wellness. Our vision is to empower and support local care systems within each Health Zone, making health care and social support networks more accessible and easier to navigate for everyone.

The CVS Health Foundation (“the Foundation”) currently supports four active Health Zones in Atlanta, Fresno, Phoenix, and Hartford. This RFP will provide a three-year grant of up to $2.24 million to a cohort of nonprofit organizations that can support our Theory of Change. The goal is to implement strategies that improve health outcomes for residents living in under-resourced neighborhoods in Charlotte.

Our Theory of Change

The Foundation has identified one specific long-term outcome that it believes can be accomplished through collective, sustained action at the local level. All funding recipients will be expected to achieve this outcome by the end of the three-year grant period:

Improved health outcomes of program participants with chronic conditions living within the Health Zone

In addition, applicants must commit to use project funds to deliver at least two of these additional interim outcomes:

Increased connectivity and care coordination between health care and social service systems

Reduction in barriers for patients accessing healthcare services

• (e.g. culturally relevant care, transportation, etc.)

Improving access to services that address health-related social needs

• (i.e., food security, workforce development, housing)

Improved quality of healthcare services

The Foundation will provide a three-year grant and non-financial support to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations working together to address health access within a community. Projects should aim to achieve the outcomes listed above through the implementation of collaborative, coordinated strategies among cross-sector partners. 

Applicants must engage in robust, candid, and comprehensive evaluation of their efforts. The Foundation and its collaborators will provide technical assistance in the development and ongoing refinement of measurement plans that include details about key metrics, data sources, and data collection and analysis frequency.

Applicants will work on addressing specific community health issues and providing interventions with a collaborative approach, working together to provide a continuum of care and services to the communities within the city of Charlotte.

Purpose and overview

The Arts & Science Council (ASC) is Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s Local Arts Agency and the cultural catalyst, driving economic growth and community retention through the arts, sciences, and culture. ASC leads as the voice of culture in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, fueling community retention and upward mobility for all our residents. 

ASC Culture Blocks is a vital piece of ASC’s mission to actively remove barriers to access and connect communities across Mecklenburg County with free arts, science, and history experiences. Culture Blocks is funded by Mecklenburg County and administered by the Arts & Science Council in partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Libraries and Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation.  

The program organizes funds and supports cultural experiences shaped by residents, close to where they live, and delivered through our partnership with public libraries, recreation centers, parks, and other community spaces. These programs are focused within historically underserved neighborhoods, with minimal opportunities or access to arts, science, and history experiences. 

Culture Blocks offers a wide range of programs, including though not limited to workshops and experiences in visual arts, dance, theater, writing, photography, culinary arts, music classes, film screenings, concerts, festivals, and multicultural events. These programs serve neighborhoods in Charlotte and the towns of Cornelius, Huntersville, Davidson, Matthews, Mint Hill, and Pineville.  

Community Involvement - Community is Key

At the heart of Culture Blocks is its people. ASC is committed to our investment in fostering diverse, self-sustaining communities that enhance cultural expression and promote a sense of belonging for all residents. Ownership and involvement of residents in these programs are key. Culture Block Program providers develop their experiences based on feedback gathered from the community through ASC Community Gatherings. Proposals are only accepted if they clearly demonstrate how community feedback has shaped the planned activities and experiences. This ensures that all programs and experiences align with the local needs and interests that have been expressed through community feedback by the individuals within those communities.

Key Program Intentions

Programming must prioritize enriching experiences that are accessible to a broad audience rather than professional development or training for specific groups. 

Culture Blocks supports programs that can engage and enrich the community at any time without the need for prior training, offering flexibility and accessibility. 

Funding is designated for the direct delivery of programming and does not cover start-up costs or capacity-building efforts. 

Beyond Open Round 3

Beyond Open is a competitive small business grant program centered on building economic mobility in the Charlotte community with a focus on supporting diverse-owned (minority, woman, veteran, LGBTQ, persons with disabilities) small businesses located within the Corridors of Opportunity as identified by the City of Charlotte.                                                                                                                                        

Grant awards can be used for capital assets such as equipment, technology, inventory and real estate. Grants do not need to be repaid. Nearly 300 small businesses have received a total of more than $10 million in grant awards during the first two rounds of the grant program. Approximately $5 million in grants will be awarded in the third round.

What is Beyond Open?

Beyond Open is a competitive small business grant program centered on building economic mobility in the Charlotte community including diverse-owned (minority, woman, veteran, LGBTQ, persons with disabilities) small businesses located within the Corridors of Opportunity as identified by the City of Charlotte. 

Grant awards can be used for capital assets such as equipment, technology, inventory and real estate, and do not need to be repaid.

Beyond Open has awarded a combined total of $16.3M in direct grants to 402 small business owners and select nonprofits, exceeding its original commitment of $15M across three rounds. 

Background

The Social Capital Grants program aligns with the recommendations of the Opportunity Task Force. It is designed to support organizations and programs focused on building social capital-networks, relationships, and access to opportunities --- through the lens of increasing economic opportunity for all children, youth, and families in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

The program will concentrate on supporting and strengthening organizations and programs that build and nurture social capital within communities, among communities, between organizations, and promotes a culture of caring and life navigation.

Building Social Capital & Promoting a Culture of Caring

• All children, youth, and families have access to pipelines of opportunities to development, resources, information, and positive networks and relationships.
• Organizations, business, educational and religious institutions, along with individuals collectively leverage their connections, relationships, and resources to help improve life of all children, youth, and families.
• Development of mutually genuine and trusting relationships, that promote the exchange of ideas, perspectives, and personal stories. 
• Development of a culture of caring that's demonstrated to every child, youth and families in Mecklenburg County.

Life Navigation

• All children and youth have access to an enduring person or persons of caring and support that expose them to new opportunities, connect them to careers, and assist with navigation of educational systems and life. 
• All children, youth, and families are offered tangible pathways to achieving their active aspirations*. 

*Active aspirations are goals that a person is consciously and deliberately working toward--requiring an individual to invest time, energy, and resources.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation (CMCF) provides grants for organizations serving residents of Mecklenburg County, which align with its vision of a community where every resident is afforded the opportunity to be well educated, safely housed, meaningfully employed and actively engaged in community decisions. Further, CMCF believes that the preservation and protection of natural resources and environmentally conscious decision-making are vital to maintaining the community’s quality of life. 

Result and Investment Areas

The Foundation views itself as an investor in the community and is interested in creating the highest possible levels of community gain, focused on improving the lives of Mecklenburg County citizens. 

The Foundation typically awards grants between $10,000-$50,000 to eligible organizations. However, actual award amounts will be determined based on merit of the project and available funds.

Specific investment and results areas are outlined below and should be reflected in grant applications. 

Family Formation

Young women and men have access to the necessary information, resources and support to help them:

• Delay pregnancy when they chose to do so.
• Prepare for a healthy pregnancy and positive birth outcome when they chose to become a parent. 
• Build and strengthen their families as they are being formed.

Financial Security

• Parents are on a pathway to living wage employment, asset building and other means of creating financial stability, thus helping their children break the inter-generational poverty cycle.
• Families are equipped with the basic logistical support and services they need to find and maintain employment.

Innovative Housing Solutions

• Children and families are living in safe, nurturing and stable residential environments. 

Parenting Education, Family Support and Engagement

• Parents/other caregivers are strong advocates for their children and have increased knowledge of and skills for early brain and other positive child development.
• Families are well-connected to community resources and supports.
• Families are helping each other succeed through peer support
• Parents are addressing their own and their mental/behavioral health issues to more effectively support their children’s social/emotional needs and educational outcomes.
• The impact of a family’s involvement with the criminal justice system is lessened.
• Fathers are positively engaged in the lives and futures of their children.

For the purpose of this grant program, we define “family” as a household unit consisting of a parent(s) or other primary adult caregiver(s) such as grandparents or other designated relatives, and children under the age of 18 who are being cared for and supported by the adult caregivers. 

Arts & Science Council: Arts Education Grants

The Arts Education Grants program provides targeted funding to nonprofit education departments at mid to large cultural institutions within Mecklenburg County. These education-operating grants support high-quality, impactful arts, science, history, and heritage education programs delivered either within schools or at the organization’s venue, specifically serving school-age children. With a dedicated focus on Title I schools, these grants, funded by Mecklenburg County, seek to expand arts education experiences, eliminate barriers to arts and culture participation for school-age children, enhance student achievement, foster creativity, and contribute to the holistic development of our next generation of leaders. We believe that arts education is fundamental to building a more creative, empathetic, and vibrant future for all students within CMS. 

The Arts Education grants stemmed from the research and development of the City of Charlotte Arts & Culture Plan, which outlined a vision to sustain and grow the arts and culture sector in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area. While inspired by this resource from the city, this grant offering also aligns with Mecklenburg County’s strategic plan priorities, particularly those related to fostering a Connected Community and promoting Economic Opportunities. Successful proposals will demonstrate how their arts education programs contribute to the broader county goals, such as: 

• Fostering access to physical, social, and informational resources for all community members, especially youth. 
• Building a community where all people can thrive and be well through enhanced educational opportunities. 
• Providing economic opportunities for individuals by developing critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills in young learners. 
• Building a Healthy Community where all people can thrive and be well. 
• Enhancing Community and Partnership Engagement throughout the County.

Corporate Contributions

Community involvement and corporate citizenship are an example of Insperity’s mission in action. We are committed to helping the communities where we live and work because together, we know we can make great things happen.

Grants

Philanthropic grants are a strong part of our community outreach and aid institutions needing financial support to meet important service goals.

Event Sponsorship

Fundraising events are an important part of nonprofit support. Insperity provides event sponsorships to approved charities to assist them in meeting their financial and community goals.

Albemarle Foundation

Supporting the communities where we live and work. Our investment in communities aims to advance the workforce of today and tomorrow, enable an inclusive and sustainable economy, and promote safe, healthy and economically vibrant regions.

Impact Grants

Charitable donation made by Albemarle Foundation to an eligible 501c3 nonprofit organization, or the global equivalent, to support the programs of the organization. Impact Grants are open twice a year and grant awards are up to $15,000. Funding decisions are made by local Albemarle employees and based on the local needs of that community. Applicants can only receive funding one time per calendar year.

Helping Build Better Futures

Our mission is to deliver great value to our customers every day. For over four decades, our deep commitment to the principles of providing value and caring for others has helped define our culture. It extends beyond the walls of our stores, distribution centers, and offices, and into our local communities around the world. The intersection of these principles defines our global community mission:

Deliver great value to our communities by helping vulnerable families and children access the resources and opportunities they need to build a better future.

Our Social Impact Areas

We bring our community relations mission to life around the world by focusing our giving on four social impact areas where we believe we can have the most impact and are critical to helping families and children succeed and thrive.

Basic Needs

We are passionate about supporting nonprofit organizations that help fill critical basic needs such as a warm meal, clean clothing, and a safe place to sleep for vulnerable families.

Education & Training

Our efforts have focused on quality enrichment and extracurricular programs that provide skills, resources, and opportunities to support school and career success for children, teens, and young adults.

Patient Care & Research

We support organizations that deliver services to families and children facing health challenges and life-threatening illnesses.

Empowering Women

We support programs that provide services ranging from help for those fleeing domestic violence, to others that offer education, training, and job placement resources.

Purpose Statement

The Fischer Family Foundation supports the mission of improving the lives of underprivileged and low-income populations primarily ages 8-25 in Southwest Florida through various resources that support enriching lives, improving mental health, and promoting overall well-being. These resources are focused on, but not limited to, education, summer camps, intensive overnight wellness and/or recovery retreats, wilderness programs, and substance abuse treatment facilities, programs and/or services.

Funding priority is given, but not limited to, the following areas:

• Substance Abuse
• Prevention and education programs targeting youth and at-risk populations
• Accessible treatment and recovery support services
• Harm-reduction initiatives, such as needle exchange programs
• Mental health
• Initiatives that improve access to mental health services in underserved areas
• Programs addressing the mental health needs such as summer camp, overnight retreats
• Camps serving underprivileged children including scholarships for low-income families
• Outdoor education programs that promote environmental stewardship and experiential learning

Priority will be given to requests to provide underprivileged youth access to opportunities for connection, skill building, conflict resolution, independence, and new experiences that can enrich their lives socially and emotionally.

Grant Types

• The Fischer Family Foundation offers project-specific grants, general operating support and capacity-building grants
• Multi-year grants may be considered for well-established organizations with a proven track record

Grant Size

• Grant sizes typically range from $5,000 to $15,000, yet larger grants may be awarded for exceptional projects

Background

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) provides federal funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for physical security enhancements and other security-related activities to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist or other extremist attack. NSGP also seeks to integrate the preparedness activities of nonprofit organizations with broader state and local preparedness efforts.

NSGP is a competitive federal grant program from DHS/FEMA administered through the North Carolina Dept. of Public Safety (NCDPS) / North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) in the state of NC.

NSGP - Urban Area (NSGP-UA)

NSGP-UA funds nonprofit organizations located within Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) designated high-risk urban areas, which is defined as the Charlotte Area in NC.

Primary Purpose

Target Hardening.  Some example projects include contracted security, fencing, lighting, cameras, security/reinforced doors, window treatments, communications equipment, security alarm systems, security plans, and staff training and exercises.

The intent is to integrate nonprofit preparedness activities with broader state and local preparedness efforts. It is also designed to promote coordination and collaboration in emergency preparedness activities among public and private community representatives, as well as state and local government agencies.

Funding

Eligible nonprofit sub-applicants with one site may apply for up to $150,000 for that site. Nonprofit sub-applicants with multiple sites may apply for up to $150,000 per site for up to three sites, for a maximum of $450,000 per sub-applicant per state and funding source.

For example, a nonprofit organization with locations in multiple states may apply for up to three sites within each state, per funding source, for a maximum of six sites per state (three under NSGP-S, and three under NSGP-UA).