Best Grants for Nonprofit Child Care Centers in North Carolina

North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing economic advancement, housing, or community arts programs can apply for funding that may support child care–adjacent services through the Community Possible Grant Program. Focused on economic and workforce advancement, safe and affordable housing, and community arts and culture, U.S. Bank Foundation prioritizes organizations in its service areas that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in North Carolina that support children, education, or health and human services can seek monetary program funding, including child care services. Focused on measurable community impact, the Costco Foundation looks for evidenced-based outcomes, community collaboration, and a broad base of financial support when reviewing applications from eligible organizations.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with innovative human and social service programs, including child care services in North Carolina, may be eligible for this invitation-only opportunity. Grants from Creag Foundation help smaller or evolving organizations test new approaches to social problems; applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for at least one year.

With a mission to support innovative social impact, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation provides North Carolina child care services and other early-stage organizations with up to US $300,000 over three years in unrestricted funding or investment capital plus intensive capacity-building support. Eligible applicants are independent, impact-first nonprofits or mission-driven for-profits serving underserved communities at post-pilot, pre-scale stage.

Nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations using technology for education, crisis response, or economic empowerment programs in North Carolina can access funding through Cisco Systems Foundation; awards up to US $100,000 for innovative, early-stage social impact solutions. Child care and early education providers serving mostly economically underserved families may be eligible if their programs align with these tech-enabled priorities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, educational institutions, government programs, and volunteer fire companies in North Carolina can seek State Farm funding for safety, education, and community development initiatives. Focused on long-term impact, these grants may benefit child care providers offering academic support, family financial literacy, disaster preparedness, or neighborhood revitalization services.

Nonprofit cultural institutions in North Carolina offering arts, science, or STEAM programs for U.S. audiences can apply for William Randolph Hearst Foundation’s Culture Grant, with awards of more than US $100,000 for program, capital, or limited general support. Organizations engaging youth or nurturing artistic talent may be especially competitive and must meet size and 501(c)(3) requirements.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in North Carolina working in health, education, or community services can apply for Labcorp Charitable Foundation grants to support programs like child care, food pantries, STEM education, or preventative healthcare. U.S.-based charities serving families and children, including child care centers, may be eligible if their work fits these focus areas.

North Carolina child care and youth-serving organizations can access funding through the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation to support or scale programs in education, children’s health, and family economic stability. Eligible entities include nonprofits, schools, social enterprises, and public agencies in the U.S. requesting more than US $50,000 for projects benefiting low-income urban children and youth.

North Carolina accredited charities running humanitarian, social development, science education, community, environmental, or arts programs can access funding through Roche; projects must be managed by a charity and typically engage Roche expertise and employees. Child care and youth-serving nonprofits may be eligible when their work fits these global focus areas and partners with a local Roche affiliate in their country.

The Semnani Family Foundation, established in 1993, is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities worldwide through health, education, and disaster relief initiatives. Founded by Khosrow and Ghazaleh Semnani, it began by funding an orphanage in Romania. The foundation also operates locally, providing free healthcare through the Maliheh Free Clinic in Utah. Its commitment to human welfare drives impactful partnerships in countries such as Afghanistan, India, and South Africa, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.

Nonprofit organizations in North Carolina can apply for US $1,000 - US $20,000 to support community-based programs, including education, youth services, and cultural activities. Grants from Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation help U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations whose child care or related services would benefit significantly from relatively small awards.

The Spark Good: Strengthening Community Local Grants program by the Wal-Mart Foundation empowers local organizations through grants ranging from $250 to $5000. This initiative aims to enhance community welfare by supporting diverse projects, including animal shelters and educational programs. Eligible organizations must have a verified Spark Good account, ensuring funds are allocated effectively to meet local needs and foster community development. Together, we can create lasting impacts through small yet significant actions.

Ameriprise Community Grants focus on supporting nonprofits that enhance community vitality and meet basic needs. With over 120 years of commitment to philanthropy, Ameriprise Financial engages employees in volunteerism and grantmaking. Key giving areas include hunger relief, housing stability, and community development. Priority is given to organizations with active volunteer engagement from Ameriprise advisors and employees, creating a meaningful impact on financial independence and community resilience.

North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking support for education, social services, health care, civic, cultural, or environmental projects can access funding through the Dr Scholl Foundation. Eligible organizations may apply annually for US $5,000 - US $25,000 in one-year project grants, which can include initiatives benefiting nonprofit child care centers and the families they serve.

Focused on early childhood education, Buncombe County invites Buncombe County organizations of all types to seek grants supporting child care and development. Eligible projects include workforce development, maintaining or expanding slots, improving quality, supporting families, and strengthening the early care system for children from birth through kindergarten, with awards up to US $4,054,185.

With a mission to improve quality of life, O'Reilly Automotive Foundation provides North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits with project, operating, or capital support for programs serving underserved children and families. Nonprofit child care centers focusing on early childhood development, literacy, health, or family stability in communities near O’Reilly Auto Parts locations may be eligible.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and libraries in North Carolina can seek unrestricted funding for environmental, human services, disaster relief, or other charitable programs. Focused on broad community and environmental needs, the Lawrence Foundation offers US $5,000 - US $10,000 program or operating support that may benefit child care–related initiatives within these priorities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in North Carolina providing youth education, housing, food security, or environmental programs can apply for Chick Fil A Foundation’s True Inspiration Awards, with grants of US $30,000 - US $350,000. Child care and youth-serving centers may be eligible if their programs fit the Caring for People, Community, Food, or Planet categories.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving children and families in North Carolina and the broader Southern region can seek support for programs such as education, youth services, poverty relief, and related assistance. Grants from Robinson Foundation help experienced organizations (3+ years) provide single-year, program-focused services that create tangible, meaningful impact for their communities.

Fall 2026 Early Childhood Education Funding Cycle

Overall Early Childhood Education Program Blueprint

The Stranahan Foundation’s Early Childhood Education grant program supports efforts to improve access to high-quality early care and education for young children (birth to five), especially those from low-income families. We do this by investing in strategies that strengthen, support, and retain a high-quality, thriving early educator workforce.

The Foundation has a history of supporting professional development (PD) and learning systems through its Provider strategy (). We believe strong professional development systems are essential for building a skilled early childhood workforce and creating positive learning environments for young children.

The Fall 2026 funding cycle is available for organizations that align with this Provider strategy.

Funding Opportunity

This funding opportunity will provide up to $750,000 to support early childhood education providers in strengthening existing professional development (PD) systems. Funding is intended to improve a specific area of an established PD system—not to build a brand-new system from scratch or put the foundational elements in place.

What kind of improvements can funding support?

Organizations should focus their projects on strengthening their professional development systems. The Stranahan Foundation defines a strong professional development system as one that includes:

• Connect learning opportunities that build on one another over time.
• Use adult learning best practices.
• Align staff learning to educator competencies, credentials, career growth, or compensation.
• Provide learning experiences that are individualized, scaffolded, and responsive to educators’ needs, experience, and goals.
• Have dedicated leadership and organizational capacity to support ongoing implementation.

• Gather regular feedback from staff and families.
• Use standardized assessment and evaluation tools to understand what is working and where improvements are needed.
• Make ongoing improvements based on what is learned.
• Support reflective practice, peer learning, and collaborative inquiry among educators.

• Offer both individual and group learning opportunities, such as training, professional learning communities, coaching, and mentoring.
• Provide learning opportunities on an ongoing basis rather than in a one-and-done situation.
• Connect internal and external learning opportunities to make the best use of available resources.
• Support classroom implementation through observation, modeling, feedback, and continuous improvement cycles.

• Provide learning experiences that are practical, relevant, and easy to apply in daily work.
• Include fundamental topics such as family engagement, effective instruction, developmentally appropriate practice, and classroom management.
• Align with established standards, research, and effective practices in the early childhood field.
• Equip educators to support all learners, including multilingual learners, children with disabilities, and children impacted by trauma or adverse experiences.

U.S. nonprofit organizations, including North Carolina child care providers with strong cross-sector collaborations, can apply for Mutual of America Foundation’s Community Partnership Award to recognize exemplary community partnerships. This national competition honors six partnerships each year that measurably improve lives, demonstrate replicable models, and offer innovative approaches to significant social issues.

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.

Nonprofit organizations helping disadvantaged people become self-reliant, including those providing child care services in North Carolina, can apply for Gupta Family Foundation’s global grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $250,000 for focused interventions and humanitarian relief. Eligible applicants are typically smaller 501(c)(3) organizations or qualifying foreign entities operating in specified countries.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on community services, environmental conservation, or peacebuilding may be eligible for funding that could support child care–related programming in North Carolina. With a mission to support forward-looking change, Dudley T Dougherty Foundation provides grants to charitable organizations addressing people, the environment, and community needs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and local government entities in North Carolina communities near Georgia-Pacific facilities can seek funding for education, entrepreneurship, community enrichment, and environmental programs. Georgia-Pacific Foundation prioritizes projects within 30 miles of its manufacturing communities that enhance long-term well-being and sustainability, which may include child care or early education initiatives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations near TJX locations in North Carolina can apply for The TJX Foundation’s grants to support basic needs, youth enrichment, workforce readiness, and domestic violence safety programs. Child care and youth-serving nonprofits may be eligible if they align with TJX’s community mission and pass the required eligibility questionnaire and Letter of Inquiry process.