Best Craven County Grants for Nonprofits in North Carolina

What We Do

At the North Carolina Community Foundation, we bring together generous people and connect them to causes and organizations they care about.

Our mission is to inspire North Carolinians to make lasting and meaningful contributions to their communities.

Our Philanthropic Network

We believe in the power of permanent philanthropy to strengthen our communities and people. By stewarding and growing donors’ gifts, our philanthropic network makes a powerful impact through robust grants and scholarships programs.

New Bern Breakfast Rotary Todd Denson Memorial Scholarship Endowment

Criteria

Graduates of high schools in Craven County, North Carolina, or Craven County, North Carolina residents graduating from high school.

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.

501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored programs in Craven County, North Carolina can apply for Camber Foundation’s Camber Foundation Grant, awarding US $25,000 - US $50,000 for health, education, and economic development efforts. Eligible organizations may request general operating or project support for healthcare access, mental health, postsecondary attainment, workforce development, entrepreneurship, or digital opportunity.

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.

K–12 teachers in Craven County, North Carolina can receive funding for innovative classroom projects that directly involve students and enhance instruction across subjects like science, technology, math, reading, art, and music. North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives award Bright Ideas Education Grants for creative, measurable learning initiatives approved by school principals or supervisors.

The Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership (APNEP) offers funding for projects focused on community engagement and stewardship aimed at enhancing environmental literacy and volunteerism in the Albemarle-Pamlico region. Grants typically range from $40,000 to $80,000, supporting initiatives that foster stewardship, promote outdoor experiences, and address environmental inequities, ensuring diverse community involvement in protecting local ecosystems.

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.

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.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental entities in Craven County, North Carolina can seek up to US $20,000 for workforce development, K–12 energy education, climate resiliency, and inclusion programs. With a mission to strengthen communities, Duke Energy Foundation provides rolling grants for projects that demonstrate measurable impact in the communities it serves.

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.

The Community Foundation of NC East supports nonprofit organizations by providing grants to tax-exempt entities including 501(c)(3)s and government agencies. Since 1977, the foundation has been a catalyst for vibrant communities in eastern North Carolina, facilitating strategic grantmaking to address complex issues. They encourage innovative solutions and are committed to serving their region. Organizations can apply for funding, with support available for multi-year projects, but grants are not awarded to individuals.

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.

Grants from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation help Craven County, North Carolina conservation organizations voluntarily restore, enhance, and conserve longleaf pine and bottomland hardwood forests. Eligible projects within the historical longleaf pine range can receive US $250,000 - US $3,000,000 for on-the-ground forestry and habitat restoration work through the Longleaf Landscape Stewardship Fund Grant.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on affordable housing, skilled trades, clean water, sanitation, or community revitalization may be eligible for grants in Craven County, North Carolina and other areas within Ferguson’s footprint. Grants from Ferguson help U.S.-based nonprofits build partnerships that improve economic wellbeing and quality of life in local communities.

With a mission to strengthen local charitable work, North Carolina Community Foundation provides Craven County, North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits, local governments, and fire and rescue departments with competitive grants of US $500 - US $15,000. Funding can support general operations or specific projects in areas like education, health, social and environmental justice, youth, seniors, and community services.

Craven County, North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits, local government units, and eligible fire and rescue departments can seek $1,000 - $5,000 for general operating or project support that benefits local residents. This unrestricted endowment program from North Carolina Community Foundation can also assist organizations working on housing, health, conservation, education, and historic preservation across its affiliate counties.

Craven County, North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on income creation, workforce readiness, or affordable housing can access funding through Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Neighborhood Builders Program. Selected organizations receive a two-year leadership development experience plus capacity-building support to advance economic opportunity and stable housing in eligible local markets.

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.

Focused on early childhood education, PNC Foundation invites Craven County, North Carolina nonprofits to seek funding for programs that improve school readiness for children from birth to age five. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations may propose initiatives in vocabulary, social-emotional learning, math, science, the arts, family engagement, and related supports.

Nonprofits, public schools, local governments, and eligible fire and rescue departments serving women and girls in Craven County, North Carolina can access funding for general operating or program support. Grants from North Carolina Community Foundation help organizations within its affiliate network, with awards typically ranging from US $1,500 - US $5,000 and preference for women-of-color-led initiatives and leadership development.

The Louise Oriole Burevitch Endowment Grant, offered by the North Carolina Community Foundation, supports nonprofit organizations focused on education, health, and human services in eastern North Carolina. This competitive grant aims to enhance community well-being by funding programs that address basic human needs, promote health outcomes, and support educational initiatives. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, with preferences for projects benefiting women, children, and the elderly in the southeastern region.

Craven County, North Carolina health nonprofits can access funding through CarolinaEast Foundation to address healthcare access and delivery needs in the region. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations must be located in Craven, Jones, Pamlico, Carteret, or Onslow counties, and funds cannot be used for salaries, events, indirect, or promotional expenses.

Focused on financial literacy and housing, 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Craven County, North Carolina can seek Union Home Foundation grants to equip families for economic self-sufficiency. Eligible organizations with programs in financial education, equitable and affordable housing, or supportive housing and shelters can apply for awards of more than US $1,000, offered on a one-year basis with quarterly deadlines.

Eligible 501(c) organizations, government entities, and state-recognized nonprofits in Craven County, North Carolina can apply for The NRA Foundation’s North Carolina – East NCE Grants to support firearms safety, shooting sports, and hunting education programs. Funding may benefit youth, public safety, marksmanship training, and other charitable shooting-related activities that provide a clear public benefit.

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

The L.B. Research and Education Foundation Grant Program supports U.S.-based nonprofits focusing on innovative education and health solutions for underserved populations. Eligible organizations can apply by submitting a 400-word concept paper, and selected applicants may receive funding ranging from $10,000 to $75,000. The Foundation prioritizes projects that foster critical thinking and creativity, address health disparities, and encourage collaboration. There are no application deadlines, promoting year-round engagement.

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