Best Chowan County Grants for Nonprofits in North Carolina

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.

The Women's Fund of North Carolina, a program of the North Carolina Community Foundation, aims to enhance the lives of women and girls across the state through grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000. This fund prioritizes organizations that address diverse needs and challenges faced by women, especially those led by marginalized populations. Grant decisions are made by a committee, and applicants are notified within 90 days after the application deadline.

The ZSRF Community Progress Fund Grant supports local organizations in North Carolina's rural counties by providing short-term funding to address community needs, enhance projects, and foster innovative ideas. The grant aims to empower groups such as food banks and shelters, emphasizing community-driven solutions and inclusivity. With funding between $20,000 and $30,000 annually for one or two years, it encourages applicants to demonstrate existing momentum and align with the foundation's core values.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Chowan County, North Carolina at high risk of terrorist or extremist attack can seek up to US $200,000 for physical security upgrades and preparedness activities. North Carolina Emergency Management administers this DHS/FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program for target hardening, including planning, equipment, training, contracted security, and response exercises.

Professional artists in any discipline based in Chowan County, North Carolina can apply for North Carolina Arts Council’s Artist Support Grants, with awards of US $500 - US $1,000 for projects that advance their artistic careers. Funding can cover new work, equipment, professional development, travel for opportunities, or upgraded promotional materials.

Chowan County government agencies responsible for K–12 facilities can seek major capital funding for constructing, expanding, repairing, or renovating public school buildings. Chowan County education entities can access funding through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund, which offers US $30,000,000 - US $50,000,000 grants funded by the NC Education Lottery, with required local matching funds.

Nonprofit organizations focused on early childhood education and school readiness in Chowan County, North Carolina can access funding via PNC Foundation’s Grow Up Great initiative. Programs serving children from birth to age five in areas like vocabulary, social-emotional learning, math, science, and the arts may be eligible in participating counties nationwide.

Public and charter schools expanding PLTW computer science programs in Chowan County, North Carolina can apply for US $10,000 to add courses, sections, or teacher training. With a mission to grow STEM and computer science education access, Project Lead The Way provides funds for PLTW fees, required technology, equipment, supplies, and core training costs.

GRANT PERIOD AN

North Carolina Department of Commerce

Our mission is to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for all North Carolinians.

To do that, the North Carolina Department of Commerce works closely with local, regional, national and international organizations to propel economic, community and workforce development for the state.

Community Development Block Grant Neighborhood Revitalization Program (CDBG-NR)

The Community Development Block Grant Neighborhood Revitalization Program (CDBG-NR) will offer a non-entitlement municipality or county the opportunity to tailor a project to meet the housing and community development needs specific and most critical to their locality. The CDBG Neighborhood Revitalization Program incorporates several previous Rural Economic Development Division (REDD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs and activities such as Scattered Site Housing and Supportive Housing.

The CDBG Neighborhood Revitalization Program will support the three livability principles that help guide sustainability and resiliency throughout areas that receive funding. Regardless of the program activity or activities local governments pursue, CDBG Neighborhood Revitalization Program projects must incorporate at least one of the following three livability principles as an area of focus:

NC Neighborhood Revitalization 3 Livability Principles

• Promote equitable, affordable housing. Expand location and energy-efficient housing choices for people of all ages, incomes, races, and ethnicities to increase mobility and lower the combined cost of housing and transportation.

• Support existing communities. Target federal funding toward existing communities - through strategies like transit-oriented, mixed-use development, and land recycling - to increase community revitalization and the efficiency of public works investments and safeguard rural landscapes.

• Value communities and neighborhoods. Enhance the unique characteristics of all communities by investing in healthy, safe, and walkable neighborhoods - rural, urban, or suburban.

Nonprofits and community groups running environmental education, stewardship, or water-focused projects in Chowan County, North Carolina can seek US $40,000 - US $80,000 through the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership’s Engagement and Stewardship Project. Grants from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality support community-based efforts that boost environmental literacy, volunteerism, and conservation within the Albemarle-Pamlico region.

Public or charter schools in Chowan County, North Carolina with at least 40% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch can use this grant to expand existing PLTW Gateway STEM programs. Funding from Project Lead The Way supports participation fees, required technology, equipment and supplies, and PLTW Core Training with related travel and lodging.

K–12 teachers in Chowan County, North Carolina can receive funding for innovative classroom projects that directly benefit students and use creative teaching methods. North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives support education initiatives across disciplines like science, technology, reading, math, art, and music, with projects requiring principal approval and featuring clear goals, objectives, and measurable results.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Chowan County, North Carolina can apply for Camber Foundation’s Camber Foundation Grant, awarding US $25,000 - US $50,000 for general operations or specific programs. Eligible projects include healthcare access, mental health, postsecondary education, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and digital opportunity, with some preference for youth-focused initiatives in Eastern North Carolina.

Public and charter schools in Chowan County, North Carolina serving at least 40% free and reduced-price lunch students can receive US $20,000 to launch new PLTW Gateway STEM programs. Project Lead The Way and Burns & McDonnell fund participation fees, required technology, equipment, supplies, and core training over two years, with at least two Gateway units implemented and reporting required.

With a mission to strengthen communities, Duke Energy Foundation provides Chowan County, North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities with up to US $20,000 for workforce development, K–12 energy education, climate resiliency, and opportunity and inclusion programs. Eligible applicants must serve communities in the Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas service area and demonstrate measurable community impact.

The Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund provides grants to support communities in the U.S. and Canada where the company operates. Focused on affordable housing, education, environmental stewardship, and more, the fund emphasizes projects that meet local needs and demonstrate community support. Eligible organizations include nonprofits and educational institutions. Applications are accepted year-round with a deadline for 2025 on September 30. National initiatives related to working forests are funded by invitation only.

Chowan County, North Carolina nonprofits and other tax-exempt organizations can access funding through the Community Foundation of NC East to support innovative, community-focused programs across all fields of work. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3)s, certain government agencies, nonprofit schools, and religious organizations for non-religious purposes, with some funds offering potential multi-year support within the eastern North Carolina region.

Chowan County, North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits, local government units, and eligible fire and rescue departments can access funding for general operations or specific community programs, with awards of US $1,000 - US $5,000. Grants from the North Carolina Community Foundation support local needs such as housing, health facilities, land conservation, education, and historic preservation.

Grants for conservation-focused organizations restoring or enhancing longleaf pine and bottomland hardwood forests in Chowan County, North Carolina can access funding through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Awards of US $250,000 - US $3,000,000 support on-the-ground forestry and habitat restoration projects within the historical longleaf pine range.

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program - North Carolina

The Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program provides supplies, equipment, and financial support to a variety of qualified groups and programs at the local level; geared towards youth, women, law enforcement, veterans, the disabled, and the general public, including:

• General shooting programs
• Competitive shooting
• Education, training and safety
• Hunting and conservation
• Community outreach
• Historical education

Grant funding must be used to further a charitable purpose as defined by the Internal Revenue Code under section 501(c)(3) and accompanying rules, regulations, and other IRS law and materials.

The National Estuary Program Watersheds Grant Program, administered by Restore America’s Estuaries and supported by the EPA, funds competitive projects addressing critical threats to estuaries. Key priorities include habitat restoration, enhancing coastal resilience against extreme weather, managing nutrient impacts, and mitigating stormwater runoff. Established in 1987, the program aims to improve ecological integrity and water quality in 28 estuaries nationwide, providing essential funding and guidance to local initiatives.

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 NRA Foundation: North Carolina – East NCE Grants provides funding to support charitable purposes as defined by the Internal Revenue Code under section 501(c)(3). Eligible organizations must possess a Federal Employer Identification Number and can include IRS-recognized entities or state-recognized nonprofits. The Foundation aims to promote firearms safety, educate the public about firearms, and support related activities. Ineligible organizations include labor groups and private businesses. Grant requests must demonstrate public benefit and align with the Foundation's mission.

Graduate students conducting estuarine research in Chowan County, North Carolina and the broader Albemarle-Pamlico system can receive US $10,000 to support applied, hypothesis-based projects. With a mission to advance coastal and estuarine science, North Carolina Sea Grant provides funding for work on spatial planning, submerged aquatic vegetation, water quality, ecological flows, and wetlands.

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.

Resilient Coastal Communities Program : Phase 4 (Construction & Implementation)

The Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP) was developed through the 2020 North Carolina Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan. The North Carolina Division of Coastal Management (DCM) administers the RCCP with funding from the NC State Legislature and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). Key program partners include the NC State Resilience Office (NC SRO), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and NC Sea Grant (NCSG).

Objective:

The primary objective of Phase 4 is to provide funding to assist coastal communities with the implementation (i.e., construction) of prioritized nature-based solution (NBS) projects identified through the deliverables of Phases 1 and 2 (outlined in the RCCP Planning Handbook) and supported by the deliverables developed in Phase 3 or equivalent planning and design efforts. Alternatively, a NBS project may be identified from a different planning effort that meets the resiliency criteria and deliverables outlined in Phases 1, 2, and 3 of the RCCP Planning Handbook. Any alternatively identified project applications will be considered at DCM discretion. Grant funds may be used to construct or implement projects that enhance a community’s resilience to identified coastal hazards (e.g., stormwater flooding, sea-level rise, shoreline erosion, etc.). Anticipated Contract Period: April 2027 – April 2029 (24 months)

Award Amounts:

• $2.5 million total is available for Phase 3 and Phase 4 projects, combined
• Anticipated award range is approximately $50,000 – $750,000 per project
• No formal maximum on funding requests, however, requestslarger than the anticipated range will be difficult to accommodate
• Applicants may apply for multiple projects by submitting a separate application for each and clearly ranking each application in priority funding order

Resilient Coastal Communities Program : Phase 3 (Engineering & Design)

The Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP) was developed through the 2020 North Carolina Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan. The North Carolina Division of Coastal Management (DCM) administers the RCCP with funding from the NC State Legislature and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). Key program partners include the NC State Resilience Office (NC SRO), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and NC Sea Grant (NCSG).

RCCP Phase 3 Objective:

The primary objective Phase 3 is to provide funding to assist coastal communities with the engineering and design of a prioritized nature-based solution (NBS) project identified through Phases 1 and 2 of the RCCP (outlined in the RCCP Planning Handbook). Alternatively, a NBS project may be identified from a different planning effort that meets the resiliency criteria and deliverables outlined in Phases 1 and 2 of the RCCP Planning Handbook. Any alternatively identified project applications will be considered at DCM discretion.

Anticipated Contract Period: April 2027 – October 2028 (18 months)

Award Amounts:

• $2.5 million total is available for Phase 3 and Phase 4 projects, combined
• Anticipated award range is approximately $25,000 – $750,000 per project
• No formal maximum on funding requests, however, requestslarger than the anticipated range will be difficult to accommodate
• Applicants may apply for multiple projects by submitting a separate application for each and clearly ranking each application in priority funding order