Best Chatham County Grants for Nonprofits in North Carolina

The Zurn Foundation Grant supports community well-being through financial contributions and volunteer efforts. With a focus on Basic Needs, Education, and Environment, the Foundation aims to enhance quality of life by providing essentials, promoting STEM education, and protecting natural resources. Organizations applying for this grant should align with these pillars to foster positive community impact. Applications must be submitted by May 1 for the July meeting or by November 1 for the January meeting.

The PLTW Engineering Program Expansion by Burns and McDonnell aims to enhance STEM education in eligible communities. This initiative supports schools in expanding their existing PLTW Engineering programs, providing students with hands-on experiences and essential skills. The program focuses on empowering students through new courses and teacher training, ensuring access for underrepresented populations. By fostering excitement around STEM, Burns and McDonnell is committed to shaping the future workforce and enhancing educational opportunities in critical areas.

The PLTW Engineering program, in partnership with Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education by providing grants to public and charter schools in specific counties. This initiative empowers students to engage with real-world challenges through hands-on learning experiences. Eligible schools must offer PLTW Engineering courses, ensuring access to quality education for students from diverse backgrounds. With a total grant of $40,000 over two years, this program seeks to inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators.

The PLTW Computer Science program, supported by Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education in various communities by funding schools to implement PLTW courses. This partnership promotes student engagement with real-world challenges, preparing them for future careers in technology. With a total grant of $20,000, schools must offer multiple PLTW courses over two years, ensuring access to quality education for underserved populations.

Burns and McDonnell, a 100% employee-owned firm, partners with Project Lead The Way (PLTW) to enhance access to STEM education. By expanding PLTW Computer Science programs in local schools, they aim to engage students in real-world challenges and equip them with essential skills. Eligible schools must be located in specific counties and serve a majority of students from low-income backgrounds. This initiative supports the growth of STEM education, fostering a brighter future for communities through enhanced learning opportunities.

The PLTW Gateway program, in collaboration with Burns & McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education by expanding access to Project Lead The Way initiatives in eligible communities. By providing grants for program expansion, the initiative encourages schools to implement new PLTW units and train teachers, empowering students with essential skills for future careers. This partnership seeks to inspire a new generation of learners through hands-on, real-world challenges, thereby fostering greater participation in STEM fields across various regions.

The PLTW Gateway program, in partnership with Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education by supporting schools in eligible counties to implement PLTW Gateway units. With a total grant of $20,000, schools are encouraged to offer at least one unit per academic year, fostering real-world skills and engagement in STEM fields. This initiative seeks to increase access and participation in high-quality STEM learning experiences, ultimately preparing students for future careers.

The Luck Companies Foundation Grants aim to foster long-term positive impact in communities through values-based leadership and environmental stewardship. Established to support community growth, the foundation matches donations from associates and provides grants to purpose-driven organizations. It collaborates with local leaders and institutions to turn visions into reality, ensuring that their contributions benefit communities for decades. By reviewing requests quarterly, they prioritize initiatives that align with their mission and emphasize sustainable community development.

The First Horizon Foundation, established by First Horizon National Corp., supports communities in Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Since 1993, it has donated over $90 million to enhance lives through grants focused on arts, education, environment, financial literacy, and health services. Eligible nonprofits in various cities can apply, while individuals and certain organizations, such as K-12 schools and political groups, are excluded from funding. This foundation is dedicated to making a positive impact in the regions it serves.

The Georgia-Pacific Foundation Grant supports organizations in the Metro Atlanta area, focusing on education, entrepreneurship, community enrichment, and environmental sustainability. Established in 1958, the foundation prioritizes investments that align with its mission and values, promoting long-term well-being within communities where Georgia-Pacific operates. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public schools, and local government entities located within 30 miles of GP manufacturing sites.

The PLTW Launch program, in collaboration with Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education by expanding access to innovative educational modules in eligible schools. This initiative supports public and charter schools in targeted counties, focusing on increasing student engagement in STEM fields. Through grant funding, participating schools can introduce new PLTW Launch modules and provide essential training for teachers, fostering a richer learning environment to prepare students for future careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The PLTW Launch program, supported by Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance student engagement in STEM education within eligible communities. This initiative will provide grants to schools that implement at least one PLTW Launch module in the 2025-2026 academic year, followed by another module in subsequent years. The program is designed to empower students with hands-on learning experiences that connect real-world challenges to essential skills, fostering a stronger future in STEM fields.

The Cary Community Foundation (CCF) offers grants to support economically disadvantaged families in Cary, North Carolina. Established in 2006, CCF operates through the NC Community Foundation and prioritizes organizations with annual budgets under $500,000. Grants typically range from $500 to $1,250 and aim to improve local lives by funding specific programs or projects. Eligible applicants include tax-exempt charities and local government units, while ensuring non-discrimination in service provision.

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.

Responsive Grantmaking

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.

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 Mary Duke Biddle Foundation's Arts Grant Program provides multiyear funding to arts nonprofits and PreK-12 education organizations in North Carolina's Triangle region. With grants ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 annually, the program focuses on supporting developing and established organizations, emphasizing artistic excellence and community engagement. Eligibility includes a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This initiative aims to strengthen the cultural sector, foster growth, and enhance the overall well-being of communities through arts programming.

The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation offers grants to PreK-12 education organizations in North Carolina's Triangle region. Committed to addressing educational inequities, the foundation supports initiatives that close academic gaps and enhance access to quality arts instruction. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, depending on the organization's needs and grant type. Eligible organizations must demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with funding available for both multi-year and one-year projects.

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.

Nonprofit organizations in Chatham County, North Carolina can receive up to US $2,000 to run programs or purchase equipment that benefits local residents. Randolph Electric Membership Corporation’s Sharing Success Community Grants support projects addressing health and wellbeing, financial support for income-challenged families, or education advancement that positively impacts a significant number of community members.

The Refugee Support Services Grant aims to provide essential services to refugees and other eligible populations in North Carolina, ensuring their self-sufficiency, stability, and integration. This funding opportunity, administered by the NC Department of Health and Human Services, offers resources for social adjustment, education, training, and employment services. It seeks to address barriers faced by refugees and promote positive outcomes for individuals and families, enhancing community welfare and successful resettlement.

The Send A Kid To Camp Grant, offered by Triangle Community Foundation, aims to support K-12 students in North Carolina's Triangle region by addressing unfinished academic learning due to pandemic-related disruptions. With grants of $10,000 per year for two years, this initiative focuses on collaborating with local nonprofits to enhance educational opportunities for students facing significant barriers. The program is designed to engage families and provide necessary resources to ensure students meet grade-level expectations.

About Us

The Department connects businesses with the site locations, workforce and infrastructure they need to succeed in one of the nation's top states for business. We also connect local communities with the grants and funding they need to attract new business and ensure future prosperity.

Additionally, our executive branch agency administers the state’s economic incentives program and publishes data, statistics, information and reports for those interested in our state’s economy.

Marketing North Carolina as a business and visitor destination is another function of the Department, and to handle this work we contract services from the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC), a public-private organization established by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2014.

North Carolina Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) - Demolition Program

Local governments can apply for funding to support demolition projects that result in industrial or commercial sites, using grant funds under the Community Development Block Grant program's Economic Development (ED) category.

Our department holds administrative responsibility for the CDBG program in North Carolina. Our Rural Economic Development Division (REDD) administers the CDBG-ED funds. State rules related to the CDBG program can be found in the North Carolina Administrative Code 4 NCAC 19L and specific ED rules are found at 4 NCAC 1K. Federal funds are made available annually through the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Purpose

Under the authority of Title I of the U. S. Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (as amended), the CDBG demolition program in North Carolina is designed to demolish vacant dilapidated industrial buildings and properties under the elimination of slums and blight national objective. The demolition activity is expected to create a site at which it can reasonably be expected new jobs and private sector investment will locate. Since the demolition activity is qualified under the slums and blight national objective, new job creation with a private employer does not require a legally binding contract. Jobs creation during the demolition phase of the grant should be collected for CDBG reporting purposes.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities in Chatham County, North Carolina can seek up to US $20,000 for workforce development, climate resiliency, environmental projects, and inclusion initiatives. With a mission to strengthen communities, Duke Energy Foundation provides rolling Local Impact Grants for programs serving communities in its North Carolina service area.

The IMA Foundation Grant focuses on empowering communities by supporting nonprofit organizations dedicated to workforce development, financial security for families, and enhancing emergency preparedness. With a mission to provide philanthropic assistance, the foundation seeks partners that align with its vision and operational reach. Organizations must be 501c3 nonprofits and serve areas where IMA has offices, ensuring that their initiatives directly impact youth under 26 years of age.

Chatham County, North Carolina nonprofits focused on economic mobility, workforce readiness, or affordable housing can access funding through Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Neighborhood Builders Program. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations join a two-year leadership development cohort and receive capacity-building support to advance income creation, small business resiliency, and stable housing for local residents.

About

What are Artist Support Grants?

Artist Support Grants is a program funded by the N.C. Arts Council to provide the opportunity for regional consortia of local arts councils to award project grants to artists in their regions.

Application Information

• United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County
• Primary Contact: Kelly Schrader
• Phone: 919-839-1498
• Email: kschrader@unitedarts.org
• Web: https://www.unitedarts.org/