Best Grants for Mentoring Programs in North Carolina

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charities serving adults with workforce development, job readiness, or small business support programs in North Carolina can apply for Truist Foundation grants of more than US $15,000. Funding supports career pathways to economic mobility, reskilling and upskilling, and strengthening networks that assist diverse and women-owned small businesses, which may include mentoring components.

Nonprofit organizations offering tutoring and mentoring or related K–12 education and housing programs in North Carolina can access funding through TruStage Foundation. The funder prioritizes economic mobility, especially literacy, mentoring, affordable and supportive housing, and homelessness services, with primary emphasis on communities near its headquarters but opportunities available across all 50 states.

North Carolina students seeking higher education support and mentorship can access funding through a national Pizza Hut Foundation scholarship and 14-week mentorship program. Eligible applicants are ages 17–26, legal residents of the U.S., Guam, or D.C., with at least a 2.5 GPA and eligibility for federal student aid, enrolling in accredited undergraduate or vocational programs.

Nonprofit schools and education programs in North Carolina seeking support for traditional or out-of-school learning may be eligible for funding that advances tutoring, mentoring, and academic success. With a mission to recognize and advance individual potential, Andrus Family Foundation supports initiatives in education and workforce preparation, including mentoring-focused efforts that empower children and adults.

State education affiliates in North Carolina and nationwide supporting K–12 public education and mentoring or tutoring programs can apply for National Education Association Staff Organization’s ARP Implementation Network Grant, with awards up to US $100,000. Funding reimburses compensation to hire or backfill a coordinator to implement American Rescue Plan and related federal recovery initiatives.

First-generation master’s and doctoral students in exercise physiology, sports science, kinesiology, or sports nutrition at U.S. schools can receive US $4,000 - US $6,000 for research plus one-on-one mentorship. With a mission to educate and empower professionals, American College of Sports Medicine Foundation provides North Carolina and other U.S. graduate researchers with funding and professional development support.

Nonprofit organizations, school districts, public agencies, and higher education institutions in North Carolina expanding K-12 tutoring or mentoring supports can apply for the Community Collaboration Challenge, awarding US $5,000 - US $10,000. Offered by the National Partnership for Student Success, it backs communities piloting evidence-based tutoring, mentoring, coaching, and wraparound student support collaborations.

Faculty developing or expanding undergraduate mentoring and discussion-based programs in the liberal tradition, including those in North Carolina, can apply for Institute for Humane Studies’ Free Society Grants to support sustained intellectual engagement. Eligible projects include mentorship programs, reading groups, workshops, symposia, and student research activities at U.S. higher education institutions.

Nonprofits, government entities, tribal governments, schools, and qualifying organizations in western North Carolina can access funding to launch, grow, or scale youth and young adult well-being programs through Nantahala Health Foundation; awards up to US $50,000 support education, healthcare access, and career pathways. North Carolina mentoring and tutoring programs serving disadvantaged youth may be especially competitive.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and government programs in North Carolina that provide ongoing academic or life-skills mentoring for low-income youth can receive US $300 - US $500 in Ross gift cards to buy school or professional clothing. Grants from Ross Stores Foundation help mentoring and tutoring programs serving socioeconomically disadvantaged youth near Ross or dd’s DISCOUNTS locations.

Undergraduate and recently graduated college students in North Carolina interested in public health and healthcare careers can access a full-time, 10-week summer mentoring internship through John Muir Health. Focused on tutoring and mentoring, this program prioritizes underrepresented, first-generation, low-income, and underserved students seeking real-world experience, networking, and support in health-related fields.

High school, undergraduate, and medical students in North Carolina interested in healthcare careers can apply for John Muir Health’s CLIMB Near Peer Mentorship Program, a year-long, multi-level mentoring experience. This virtual program focuses on tutoring and mentoring, connecting participants with medical students and opportunities to mentor high school students exploring medicine.

Focused on film music creation, New Music USA invites developing composers in North Carolina and across the U.S. to seek support for original scores. Eligible individual composers on independently financed feature-length films in production or post can receive approximately US $20,000 for scoring costs, including composer fees, musicians, equipment, studio time, and engineering.

North Carolina students interested in legal careers and mentoring-focused development can access the Josh Dubin Fellowship, a seven-week paid professional and educational experience. Offered by the Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund, it supports current SCF scholars nationwide with legal research, case analysis, site visits, mentorship, and additional scholarship aid for undergraduate educational expenses.

Students and early-career researchers pursuing computer science, data science, or AI mentoring and research experience can apply for the Ai2 Predoctoral Young Investigators Program, open to candidates in the U.S., including North Carolina. Grants from Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence help participants gain intensive research mentoring, co-author publications, and prepare for top PhD programs over 1–3 years.

High school seniors pursuing business or engineering with strong character and interest in mentorship can access funding and one-on-one mentoring support through Bradley Family Foundation in North Carolina. This renewable scholarship supports U.S. citizens planning full-time bachelor’s study and may benefit students involved in school- or community-based mentoring programs.

Undergraduate, master’s, and medical students interested in pediatric oncology research in North Carolina and beyond can receive up to US $5,000 for a mentored summer research internship. With a mission to change the lives of children with cancer, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation provides hands-on training that may complement tutoring and mentoring-focused programs.

High school seniors seeking undergraduate education funding and mentorship can receive US $3,000 - US $5,000 scholarships through Rotary Club of Milwaukee, including structured mentoring support. With a mission to support higher education, Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Tr provides need-based awards that may benefit students involved in tutoring and mentoring programs, including those similar to North Carolina initiatives.

North Carolina mentoring and tutoring leaders developing youth-focused mentoring systems can access funding through the Bergel Institute’s FE3 Fellowship to spend a year designing a credentialed mentoring profession in the U.S. This $30,000, mostly virtual fellowship supports intensive research and project development, including training, certification, licensing frameworks, and a pilot site launch.

Early-career live entertainment production managers in North Carolina and across the U.S. can apply for the Carolyn A. Satter Production Management Mentorship Program, which offers US $2,000 for conference-related expenses and intensive one-on-one mentoring. Eligible applicants must be current USITT members and able to participate in virtual prep and the Annual Conference.

About

Building a community of journalists committed to better health care reporting.

We believe accurate, contextual and balanced health care reporting is more important than ever.

People depend on health care stories to make life-altering decisions every day.

AHCJ U.S. Health System Reporting Fellowship

This opportunity is for U.S.-based journalists.

Issues with the U.S. health care system are often obvious — from large swaths of uninsured residents and junk insurance plans, to high maternal mortality rates and preventable medical errors. But what is at the root of issues like these? What could an equitable health care system look like? 

Through the U.S. Health System Reporting Fellowship, supported by The Commonwealth Fund, you can pursue a significant reporting project related to the U.S. health care system at the local, regional and/or national level.

This fellowship allows mid-career journalists to maintain their regular employment while working on a major project over a 12-month calendar year. You’ll pursue the projects with the support of your newsrooms or arranged outlets, which commit to publish or air the work.

We believe that issues of health equity impact every facet of the health care system, which is why we’re specifically interested in projects focused on health equity. This might include racial disparities within a community, gaps in public health inclusion, unstable housing, insurance access, food insecurity, violence as a health issue, how health care institutions or systems are applying a racial equity lens to their policies and practices or otherwise addressing inequities or disparities, or other examinations of systemic problems that have become so apparent over the last few years.

Guidance is provided by AHCJ mentors through customized seminars on health care systems, conference calls and email consultations. The fellowship covers the cost of attending the seminars and the annual AHCJ conference, as well as a $2,500 project allowance to defray the cost of field reporting, health data analysis and other project-related research. In addition, you will receive a $5,000 fellowship award upon the successful completion of the project.

The McGraw Foundation offers annual grants to not-for-profit organizations, primarily in the greater Chicago area, focusing on education, conservation, and human services. Grant amounts typically range from $2,000 to $10,000, with larger grants available for particularly impactful projects. While supporting diverse initiatives, the Foundation does not fund individuals or specific events. Organizations must be tax-exempt under IRS regulations to qualify for funding. The Foundation encourages innovative approaches and partnerships in grant applications.

The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust Grant supports educational programs and initiatives that assist individuals demonstrating financial need. Founded in 1975, it prioritizes funding for organizations that enhance educational opportunities, arts, culture, and community initiatives, particularly for youth and disadvantaged populations. The Trust encourages proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations, with grants typically ranging from $10,000 to $20,000. It also considers limited proposals in disabilities, environmental protection, and historic preservation, focusing on educational impact.

About

Building a community of journalists committed to better health care reporting.

We believe accurate, contextual and balanced health care reporting is more important than ever.

People depend on health care stories to make life-altering decisions every day.

AHCJ International Health Study Fellowships

A fellowship for experienced journalists with a focus on international health.

In comparing the U.S. health care system to its global counterparts, journalists traveling to different countries as part of the AHCJ International Fellowship program can produce projects that provide valuable insights that can help inform policy decisions, improve health care outcomes and contribute to the ongoing evolution of health care systems worldwide.

Through the AHCJ International Health Study Fellowships, supported by The Commonwealth Fund, you can pursue a story or project comparing a facet of the U.S. health care system to that of another country. 

For 2027, the focus will be on the U.K. and France in comparison with the U.S. health care system. You’ll pursue the projects with the support of your newsrooms or arranged outlets, which commit to publish or air the work.

This fellowship allows highly experienced journalists to maintain their regular employment while working to evaluate a key component of the health care system, a health outcome, access, performance, providers, efficiency or other focal point over a six-month period.

That period allows for preparatory time, a site visit to the chosen European country, interviews and information gathering, as well as follow-up and writing time. Guidance is provided through seminars, conference calls and consultations with AHCJ fellowship leaders, a mentor and exposure to various topic experts.

The Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award (KR1) offers crucial support for researchers aiming for independence. Funded by the US Dept. of Health & Human Services through the NIH, this award allows candidates to engage in intensive research training under a mentor's guidance for up to five years. It is designed for those with research doctoral degrees, facilitating their transition into independent research roles and enhancing their contributions to the scientific community.

The Mentored Clinician Research Scientist Career Development Award (KC1) from the NIH supports clinician research scientists for up to five years, providing dedicated time for intensive research career development. This award aims to guide candidates with clinical doctoral degrees towards achieving research independence by pairing them with experienced mentors who can help navigate their career paths.

The Kars4Kids Small Grant Program aims to support educational initiatives globally, impacting the lives of children. This program welcomes applications from IRS-recognized nonprofit organizations focused on youth development, mentorship, and education. Grants typically range from $500 to $2,000, depending on mission alignment and available funds. Kars4Kids, a national Jewish nonprofit, is dedicated to nurturing productive community members through educational and mentoring opportunities.