Best Early Childhood Development Grants in North Carolina

North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on early childhood development, family stability, or community programs can seek funding for economic and workforce advancement, housing, or arts and culture initiatives. Grants from US Bancorp Foundation help organizations in designated U.S. Bank communities address racial and economic inequities, with priority for groups led by people of color and those advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Nonprofits and community organizations supporting parent and caregiver mental health and well-being for children prenatal to age five in North Carolina can apply for US $150,000 - US $450,000 in funding. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation backs community-rooted efforts that reduce social isolation, strengthen connections, and improve pathways to mental health care.

North Carolina early childhood advocacy and policy nonprofits can access funding through Childtrust Foundation to advance early education and literacy, especially for historically underserved children and families. 501(c)(3) organizations operating in North Carolina may receive rolling support for statewide policy and systems-change efforts without fixed application deadlines or grant cycles.

Grants from Childtrust Foundation help North Carolina early childhood organizations fund early education and literacy programs for young children, their families, and early educators. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) organizations operating from Raleigh to the coast that support early childhood development and align with the funder’s non-discrimination policy.

North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting at-risk youth and early childhood education can access funding through QuikTrip, including grants, in-kind product donations, event sponsorships, and volunteers. Organizations working in early childhood development or youth services in communities where QuikTrip operates may be eligible if they help children and families move toward independent, successful lives.

Organizations of any type providing early childhood education and development in North Carolina’s Buncombe County can apply for grants up to US $4,054,185 to expand or improve services. With a mission to strengthen early childhood development, Buncombe County supports projects that grow the workforce, increase and enhance slots, boost quality, support families, and improve the local care system.

Early childhood and family-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofits, churches, and government entities in North Carolina can apply for the Cdv5 Foundation Grant to support early childhood development, youth, and community health programs. Funding may cover general operating, capital campaigns, or specific projects that nurture successful children, strengthen families, and cultivate healthier communities.

Existing 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on children in the Wilkes County area can apply for Speedway Children's Charities’ North Wilkesboro Grant Program to support critical, medical, or educational needs. Programs serving homeless, foster, orphaned children, victims of sex trafficking, or providing early childhood development services in North Carolina may be especially competitive.

North Carolina early childhood development nonprofits and other community-focused 501(c)(3) organizations can access funding through O'Reilly Automotive Foundation for project, general operating, or capital support. Programs addressing early childhood development, family stability, health and social services, literacy, or related quality-of-life needs in communities with an O’Reilly Auto Parts presence may be eligible.

U.S. nonprofit professional development providers serving early childhood educators can seek up to US $500,000 over three years to strengthen workforce supports, including scalable coaching, leadership development, and substitute teacher models. With a mission to improve early childhood development, Stranahan Foundation provides funding for larger-scale initiatives, and North Carolina organizations working with low-income families may be competitive applicants.

Graduate students conducting early childhood language development research in the U.S. can receive US $4,000 for studies focused on preschool or early school-age children. Focused on early childhood development, American Speech Language Hearing Foundation invites master’s and doctoral students, including those in North Carolina programs, to apply for support of full-time, U.S.-based speech-language research projects.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting early childhood and broader child development in North Carolina and across the U.S. can apply for grants up to US $15,000 to improve children’s health, wellness, and access to resources. Grants from 15 and the Mahomies Foundation help fund programs for young children, including early childhood development and related services.

Focused on early childhood development, the Patton/Cornwell Fund invites North Carolina 501(c)(3) organizations serving Burke County to support educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged people, including at-risk preschool children. Administered through the Community Foundation of Burke County’s annual community grant cycle, this fund awards US $5,246 via its online grant management system.

Early childhood education nonprofits in North Carolina counties served by PNC can seek funding to improve school readiness for children from birth to age five. Focused on vocabulary, social-emotional learning, math, science, and the arts, PNC Foundation invites early childhood development programs to form community-based partnerships that strengthen children, families, and communities.

North Carolina early childhood development nonprofits serving at-risk children ages 0–5 can seek funding for quality early learning, school-readiness, and advocacy initiatives; awards up to US $20,000 support these efforts. The Ohio Children’s Foundation may fund programs that build early literacy, strengthen families, and advance public policy for young children.

Nonprofit organizations serving young children and families in North Carolina can access free early learning materials through the Molina Foundation’s On My Way to Kindergarten program. Grants from Molina Foundation help early childhood and preschool programs provide bilingual (Spanish-English) activity books and related songs, games, crafts, and stories to support kindergarten readiness.

Nonprofit organizations in North Carolina working on early childhood development, community spaces, or workforce training can apply for flexible project support from the Cemala Foundation. Greensboro-focused initiatives that use continuous quality improvement practices and data to enhance service quality may be especially competitive for these strategic investments.

Nonprofit charities serving children’s needs, including early childhood development, in North Carolina and nationwide can seek support for programs through the CAPTRUST Community Foundation. CAPTRUST Community Foundation provides North Carolina early childhood development organizations with national partnership grants that may include a large Charity of Choice award and additional grants for aligned child-focused services.

North Carolina students pursuing careers in early childhood development can access funding through the Dr. Chao-ying & Sue Wu Early Learning Scholarship, supporting higher education in early learning fields. This Chuckanut Health Foundation program backs academic study that advances early childhood development, children’s health, youth services, and educational access and equity.

$20K for changemakers with transformative ideas & firsthand insight in early childhood

About the Imagine Award

The Imagine Award by the Promise Fund offers $20,000 in flexible funding (see definition in FAQs) and a six-month cohort-based learning experience for community-rooted early childhood leaders with ideas for transformative impact. ​​Award recipients are at the idea stage and will launch a pilot within six months, testing their solutions with real users, gathering feedback, and refining their approach.

Imagine Award recipients will learn strategies for designing and executing lightweight tests for rapid learning while gaining clarity on their idea's direction using impact and business models. They will craft a compelling story about their work to build future partnerships and run a focused pilot with strong feedback loops for gathering data, all while growing alongside a supportive peer community.

What We Provide

Our grant dollars are flexible and meant to be used at award recipients’ discretion for the pursuit of tests or a pilot of a transformative idea. Read the FAQ for more information.

Direct, one-on-one support from our team to help you learn, get tailored help, and make relevant connections.

Multi-day gathering for peer connection, learning, and pilot design.

Access to a bench of mentors to guide you as you transition out of the program and navigate next steps with your pilot.

Light, tailored coaching to support pilot preparation, launch, and implementation.

Ongoing peer community and resources to continue learning and collaboration

The Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program seeks applications for Development and Implementation Grants to support evidence-based home visiting programs for expectant families and young children. Funded by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, these grants aim to enhance maternal and child health, improve parenting practices, and foster early childhood development within tribal communities, ultimately promoting better socio-economic outcomes and reducing instances of child maltreatment.

Who We Are

Buncombe Partnership for Children is on a mission to strengthen the capacity of educators, families, and the community to build a strong foundation for children’s learning and development beginning at birth.

The majority of brain development happens during the first 2,000 days—the time between birth and kindergarten–forming the foundation for all future learning. This is why we invest in children from ages birth to 5 years old and their families, caretakers, and educators by partnering with local organizations to:

• improve the quality of early childhood education;
• increase access to affordable, high quality early care;
• expand early literacy opportunities;
• encourage healthy eating, physical activity, and outdoor play;
• provide family support.

We value lifelong learning and believe that each child’s first 2,000 days are crucial. Our vision is that every child in our community will reach their fullest potential and be prepared for lifelong success.

Classroom Creativity Microgrants

We invite early educators working with children ages 0 – 5 to apply for $200 microgrants for a project you’d like to run in your classroom.

Our intention is to elevate teacher voice, creativity, and expertise by funding classroom projects that are designed and carried-out by early childhood classroom teachers.

With a mission to strengthen community services, North Carolina Community Foundation provides North Carolina early childhood organizations with US $500 - US $2,500 for general operating or project support. Nonprofits, local governments, schools, and fire and rescue departments serving Alexander, Caldwell, or Catawba counties may be prioritized for early childhood development, mental health, and substance use disorder programs.

SC Johnson Grants aim to enhance community welfare through charitable contributions, focusing on health, sustainability, and opportunity. Since 1937, the company has committed five percent of its pretax profits to support registered charities and nonprofit organizations, especially in areas where it operates. The grant program prioritizes initiatives addressing healthcare access, environmental conservation, and educational equity, ensuring that efforts align with the values of community service and corporate responsibility.

The Alleghany Foundation, a private 501(c)(3) organization in Virginia, focuses on enhancing the quality of life in the Alleghany Highlands through strategic funding initiatives. It seeks grant applications that address key areas such as economic transformation, educational excellence, health and wellness, community capacity, and civic leadership. By prioritizing innovative projects and supporting local organizations, the Foundation aims to foster sustainable growth and community engagement, ensuring a vibrant future for the region.

The Brinker International Charitable Giving Program focuses on giving back to communities through support for kids, hunger, and education. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501c(3) non-profits and submit requests at least six weeks prior to events. The program does not support individuals, political or religious organizations, or explicit discrimination policies. Funding is provided through monetary donations or in-kind contributions like dining certificates.

The Glass Foundation Grant supports initiatives that enhance the quality of life in Western North Carolina. Established in 2000, the foundation provides funding for capital campaigns, construction, and program supplies, focusing on environmental education and youth development. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations operating in specified WNC counties. The foundation prioritizes projects that foster educational and cultural opportunities while preserving natural resources, aiming to create a thriving community.