Best Grants for Youth Programs in North Carolina

Nonprofit organizations running youth, education, or microenterprise development projects, including those serving North Carolina, can seek support from the Madelyn L. Laschober Endowment Fund. With a mission to strengthen people-to-people connections, Partners of the Americas provides up to US $1,000 annually for qualifying initiatives across the Western Hemisphere.

Youth-serving and human services nonprofits working on youth programs, homelessness, housing, social services, veterans, or civic initiatives can apply for US $500 - US $5,000 from St. Marys Bank Charitable Foundation. Organizations in North Carolina with similar missions may be eligible if they operate in the funder’s listed service communities or nearby regions.

Nonprofit organizations running financial independence or youth-focused programs in North Carolina may be eligible for project-based support, with awards ranging from US $500 - US $5,000. North Carolina youth services can access funding through St. Marys Bank Charitable Foundation for initiatives that build thrift, economic self-sufficiency, and related human services in their communities.

The Store-Based Giving Program by Ross Stores Foundation supports socioeconomically disadvantaged youth by providing gift cards for school or professional clothing. Organizations must be federal tax-exempt and serve at least 60% low-income youth. Eligible programs include academic achievement and life skills initiatives. Award amounts typically range from $300 to $500, depending on budget and mission alignment. Applications are not accepted from organizations that have received donations within the past 12 months.

The Josh Dubin Fellowship, launched in January 2022 by the Shawn Carter Foundation, is a seven-week paid program designed for five exceptional students interested in the legal field. This immersive experience includes mentorship from legal professionals, direct involvement in case analysis, and off-site visits to courtrooms. Fellows not only gain invaluable insights into legal practices but also receive additional scholarship support for their educational pursuits, empowering them to overcome socio-economic barriers and achieve their dreams.

Navigant Credit Union 

Navigant Credit Union is the longest-operating, member-owned credit union in Rhode Island. Since its founding in 1915, Navigant Credit Union has been dedicated to providing its members with unparalleled financial products and services, while working every day to stay committed to the financial well-being of the families, businesses and communities we serve. 

Navigant Credit Union Charitable Foundation Grant

For over a century, Navigant Credit Union has been committed to making a meaningful difference in the community. In 2017, we established the Navigant Credit Union Charitable Foundation to further amplify our impact in five strategic areas:

• Education & Financial Literacy: Organizational and capital support for programs, supplies, building products, sports facilities and teams.
• Social Services: Financial support for programs and organizations for children, veterans, hunger and housing.
• Public Health, Safety & Well-Being: Support for programs addressing public safety, emergency care and eradication of disease.

Our Mission

KidsGardening creates opportunities for kids to play, learn, and grow through gardening, engaging their natural curiosity and wonder.

We want every child to experience the unique transformation that occurs when they spend time caring for a garden, be it outside, in a classroom, or in a cup on the kitchen windowsill. Since 1982, KidsGardening has served as a premier support provider for youth garden programs nationwide.

We support educators and families with grant funding, original educational resources, inspiration, and community to get more kids learning through the garden.

Growing the Future Intergenerational Garden Grant

In celebration of Miracle-Gro’s 75th anniversary, Miracle-Gro and KidsGardening are partnering to fund 75 intergenerational youth garden grants in 2026.

Intergenerational gardens provide opportunities for older gardeners to pass along traditions, knowledge, and skills to the next generation or share the experience of developing skills if new to gardening. In turn, young people bring their curiosity, wonder, and contagious enthusiasm for learning and life, exciting everyone involved in the growing process.

The 2026 Growing the Future Intergenerational Garden Grant is designed to support gardens that intentionally bring children and older adults together through shared gardening experiences.

Funding Priorities

The selection of winners is prioritized based on demonstrated need and program impact. KidsGardening considers a variety of factors when determining needs, including:

• Socioeconomic & Sociodemographic Factors: How does the program exist within or engage a community that has been systematically denied resources, whether physical assets and money or representative leadership and community services? Organizations affected by multiple socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors are given priority.

• Program Funding and Support: Does an organization have access to consistent, substantial monetary support or prior grant funding? Or are pre-existing resources (financial or otherwise) limited? Organizations experiencing the latter are given priority.

• Impact: Will grant funding dramatically expand learning opportunities for program participants? Does the intended impact reflect the needs of the community? Organizations working with more than 50 youth will be given priority.

Award Packages

Grantees will receive:

• A $500 cash award check
• A $250 coupon to purchase essential gardening supplies from ScottsMiracleGro.com

The Family Unification Program (FUP) aims to assist families and youth at risk of homelessness by providing Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) assistance. It targets families facing housing issues that could lead to out-of-home placement for children and youth aged 18-24 who have aged out of foster care. The program offers flexible voucher durations, with extensions available under specific conditions, ensuring support for those in need of stable housing.

Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

We the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians are the most diverse confederation of Tribes and Bands on a single reservation in the United States. Our ancestors spoke 10 completely different languages, each of which had multiple dialects. Our ancestors brought with them deep connections to more than 20 million acres of ancestral territory combined, including all of Western Oregon from the summit of the Cascade mountains to the Pacific and extending into what’s now SW Washington State and northern California. Our ancestors signed many treaties with the United States. We were promised the 1.1 million acres Siletz Reservation as our permanent home, but following massive reservation reductions Congress passed the Western Oregon Termination Act in 1954 (took effect in 1956), and our federally recognized status as a tribe was also taken. In 1977 our lobbying of Congress to repeal our Termination was successful, and we became the second formerly Terminated Tribe to regain federal recognition as a Tribe.

Education

The Confederated Tribes of Siletz seeks to provide opportunities for Tribal members to reach potential, establish independence and improve quality of life through lifelong learning and education.

NWIHA – Youth Scholarship Program

Scholarship applications will be reviewed to meet the following minimum eligibility before any further review of the application will be done.

• Applicant must either have an application pending or a letter of acceptance from a higher education institution such as a four (4) year college or a two (2) year community college prior to the funds being sent to the higher educational institution.
• Applicant must be less than twenty four (24) years old on the deadline submission date.
• Applicant must be an enrolled member from one of the NWIHA member Tribes.
• Payments are made directly to the school, organization, etc. and not to the Applicant or their families.
• All of these items must be postmarked on or before March 31st of each year, or the Application will be automatically rejected.
• Faxed applications will NOT be accepted.
• All Applications become the property of NWIHA. NWIHA reserves the right to publish essays.

The CDC's National Centers of Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention (YVPCs) aim to expand the evidence base for preventing youth violence among individuals aged 10 to 24. This initiative supports rigorous evaluations of prevention approaches, community engagement, and training for early career researchers. By establishing partnerships and focusing on communities with above-average youth violence rates, the YVPCs seek to enhance collaborative efforts and effectively disseminate research findings to inform future prevention strategies.

The CDC's K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award aims to support new investigators in conducting vital research to prevent interpersonal violence and suicide among children and adolescents. This grant encourages proposals that address critical public health issues, including adverse childhood experiences and youth violence, while fostering research independence. Applicants are expected to explore the impact of technology on violence and demonstrate the relevance of their findings to prevention efforts.

About

What is the Pizza Hut Foundation?

In pursuit of happiness, the Pizza Hut Franchisee community, in partnership with Pizza Hut U.S. is proud to announce the formation of the Pizza Hut Foundation.

Our foundation is seeking to touch the lives of over 100 youth annually by partnering with youth-serving nonprofit organizations focusing on literacy education programs to enable our team members and their peers to be career and life ready.

Pizza Hut Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization under the Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.

About the Slice of Literacy Grant

The bi-annual grant opportunity awards up to $10,000 to public libraries and non-profit organizations that are actively working to improve literacy initiatives in Pizza Hut communities.

The grants are made possible by the generosity of our customers purchase of the BOOK IT! Bundle menu item!

The CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control invites research proposals aimed at reducing suicide and interpersonal violence among youth aged 10 to 24. This funding opportunity encourages the evaluation of pre-existing primary prevention strategies that have not yet been rigorously assessed. Proposed approaches may include community programs and policies designed to enhance social connectedness, mitigate harmful online behaviors, and address technology-facilitated interpersonal violence.

Youth Service America

Youth Service America believes that youth, communities, and our democracy thrive when we all work together for the common good. YSA is a leading global nonprofit that activates young people, ages 5-25, to find their voice, take action, and acquire powerful civic and 21st Century skills as they solve problems facing their communities. YSA supports its activation campaigns with grants, training and resources, and recognition programs for young people and their adult champions. Youth-led projects use Awareness, Service, Advocacy, and Philanthropy (ASAP) strategies to create social and environmental change.

Our vision is that youth participation in working together for the common good becomes the common expectation and common experience of all young people in America. Even though youth participation rates are at or near record-high levels, we’re still leaving 3 of every 4 young people out, and participation rates are even lower among youth from underserved low-income communities and communities of color.

We Serve to Remember 9/11 Day of Service Grants

YSA’s We Serve to Remember 9/11 Day of Service Grants are for organizations, schools, and youth changemakers ages 5-25 to lead service projects on or around September 11, 2026. Programming efforts should also honor and pay tribute to those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, their families, and those who rose in service in response to that tragedy.

This year, YSA will award up to 100 grants of $1,000 each. Grantees are required to engage at least 100 youth as volunteers in planning and implementing the service activities.

Reflecting on the spirit of togetherness that brought people together in the days, weeks, and months after September 11th, we are especially looking for ideas that bring together all members of the community.

About

A History Of Making Waves

Carnival Foundation oversees the many philanthropic endeavors of Carnival Corporation as well as its employee-driven service group, the “Friends Uniting Neighbors” (F.U.N.) Team.

Carnival Foundation’s contributions are widespread, touching the communities where the brands visit and operate. From the cities where our brands are headquartered to ports we visit around the world, we endeavor to make a difference to the lives of many.

Through monetary and in-kind donations, innovative philanthropic programs, employee fundraisers and hands-on volunteer initiatives, Carnival Foundation and the brands of Carnival Corporation support a variety of organizations. Whether it’s providing meals to the homeless and abuse prevention or working toward medical advancement and educating youth, Carnival Foundation’s reach is communitywide.

In-Kind Donations

To apply for an in-kind donation from Carnival Foundation, submit an online application complete with the following information:

• A letter of request with a brief description of the organization including its legal name, history, activities, purpose and governing board
• Contact name and information, including phone number and address for the individual who is organizing the event
• Name and date of the event
• Average amount of funds raised from the auction in previous years and estimated number and demographics of the event audience
• Description of how funds raised from the donation will be used within the organization
• List of other cruise suppliers, if any, participating in the event
• An outline with details of Carnival’s publicity/promotional opportunities associated with the event
• Copy of Internal Revenue Service determination letter indicating 501© (3) tax-exempt status as an organization that is not a private foundation.
• Copy of organization’s most recent 990 filed with the Internal Revenue Service
• Geographical area(s) served

About

A History Of Making Waves

Carnival Foundation oversees the many philanthropic endeavors of Carnival Corporation as well as its employee-driven service group, the “Friends Uniting Neighbors” (F.U.N.) Team.

Carnival Foundation’s contributions are widespread, touching the communities where the brands visit and operate. From the cities where our brands are headquartered to ports we visit around the world, we endeavor to make a difference to the lives of many.

Through monetary and in-kind donations, innovative philanthropic programs, employee fundraisers and hands-on volunteer initiatives, Carnival Foundation and the brands of Carnival Corporation support a variety of organizations. Whether it’s providing meals to the homeless and abuse prevention or working toward medical advancement and educating youth, Carnival Foundation’s reach is communitywide.

Grants Or Sponsorships

To apply for a grant or sponsorship from Carnival Foundation, prospective applicants must complete an online application and include the following information and documents:

• A letter of request with a brief description of the organization, including its legal name, history, activities, purpose and governing board
• Purpose for which the grant is requested
• Grant amount requested
• Listing of other sources of financial support
• Operating budget of the project for which the funds are requested
• Organization’s annual budget
• Copy of the organization’s most recent audited financial statement
• Copy of organization’s most recent 990 filed with the Internal Revenue Service
• Copy of Internal Revenue Service determination letter indicating 501© (3) tax-exempt status as an organization that is not a private foundation
• Organization’s completed W-9 form
• Geographical area(s) served
• Organizations applying for a grant renewal must submit a final report detailing use of the prior grant award. Interim and final reports will be submitted through our online portal.

The Youth Regional Treatment Center Aftercare Program aims to support American Indian and Alaska Native youth in maintaining safety, sobriety, and success post-discharge from Youth Regional Treatment Centers. This initiative enhances culturally relevant, community-based aftercare by fostering care coordination, building partnerships, and addressing barriers to improve youth outcomes.

Davie Community Foundation

Founded in 1988, Davie Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to improving the lives of Davie County residents, today and for generations to come.

Mission: The Davie Community Foundation inspires philanthropy to strengthen Davie County for present and future generations. Vision: We envision Davie County as a vibrant community where everyone can thrive!

S.U.R.F. Board Grants

The S.U.R.F. (Students Understanding Real Futures) Board provides grant funding to support youth-led projects that make a positive impact in Davie County. These grants are designed to empower young people to identify needs in their community, develop solutions, and take an active role in carrying out meaningful projects with the support of an adult advisor and a sponsoring organization. If you are a student or youth group with an idea to benefit youth in our community, we encourage you to apply.  

Each year, the S.U.R.F. Board raises funds and awards grants to youth-led projects that make a positive difference in Davie County. Students are not only learning the value of giving their time, talents, and resources – they are actively identifying needs, evaluating proposals, and making real decisions that benefit their peers and their community.

This youth grant program gives high school students a hands-on opportunity to lead, learn, and give back.

The Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fund

The Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fund is a Princeton, New Jersey-based endowment fund providing grants to individuals, young adults who volunteer or intern for progressive social action projects or programs in an area of their interest and commitment. The Amy Adina Fund also sponsors a lecture each year on a relevant and timely topic related to its educational mission.

The Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fund was started in 1987 one year after Amy Adina, 20, died suddenly while a student and activist at Rutgers University. It is a realization of her family and her communities’ desire to celebrate her life, to fulfill her dreams and her potential. Since its inception, almost 1,500 grants have been awarded for work in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and the United States—nearly $1,000,000 in total. The Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

About Our Grants

Small grants (depending on length of service), are awarded to as many applicants as possible rather than giving larger amounts to fewer individuals. The number of awards has grown each year thanks to annual contributions as well as to gifts sent to the Fund to honor special occasions and life cycle events.

The OVC FY 2026 grant aims to improve outcomes for child and youth victims of human trafficking by integrating policies at state and Tribal levels. This funding opportunity focuses on developing strategic plans to address the challenges faced by minor victims, enhance coordination among systems like child welfare and juvenile justice, and ensure effective identification and prosecution of traffickers. By fostering multidisciplinary approaches, the program seeks to provide comprehensive support and services to these vulnerable populations.

The Vineyard Family Foundation

The Vineyard Family Foundation is the product of decades of work across three generations and five states. Having enjoyed the benefits of our hard work and community patronage, the Vineyard family has chosen to provide to others what so many have graciously provided to us. 

What Sets Us Apart

The Vineyard family has always been committed to its communities. Whether supporting Boys & Girls Clubs, pediatric hospitals, the Ronald McDonald House, arts organizations, or youth recreation leagues, the family has taken a great interest in the care, health, and education of children and the families that nurture them. We take great pride in personally administering our Foundation’s charitable giving, resulting in fewer expenses and more funding for those organizations aligned with the Foundation’s purpose.

Grants

• Supporting Our Communities and Their Families
• Working Towards the Health, Education, and Overall Well-Being of Parents and Their Children

You are steps away from creating an opportunity to receive full or partial funding of your charitable organization. So that you use your time wisely, we offer the following advice for your efforts:

• As a family foundation, we are prohibited from funding individuals or any entity that is not an IRS-recognized Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity or a Section 509(a)(1), (2), or (3) support organization. Thus, while we cannot award a scholarship to an individual, we can fund a 501(c)(3) charity that provides such scholarships.

• If you qualify as a Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization or a support organization pursuant to Section 509(a)(1-3), we will need the IRS Determination Letter confirming as much, as well as a statement signed by your organization’s President or Chief Executive Officer verifying that your organization’s purposes, structure, and operations have not changed substantially since the date of the IRS’s Determination Letter.

• If you are a “supporting organization” under IRS Code section 509(a)(1-3), please provide a list of the public charities that you support. Please also advise whether you are a Type I, Type II, or Type III supporting organization. If you are a Type III supporting organization, please advise whether you are “functionally integrated” with your supported public charity and provide an explanation of that relationship.

Supported Charities

The Vineyard family has historically provided funding for family-related charities such as the Ronald McDonald House, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, pediatric hospitals, autism-related organizations, and youth recreational leagues. The Foundation looks forward to continuing this support and extending itself to educational, research, and cultural experiences that focus on the needs of children and their parents.

Our Mission

The Baughman Family Foundation aims to make an impact on our local communities by supporting organizations nominated by family members. The goal of the foundation is twofold: to make a meaningful impact on our selected charitable organizations and to encourage family members to become active in charitable giving.

Submission Guidelines

When submitting an application, please keep the following guidelines in mind:

The focus of the Baughman Family Foundation is on supporting local charities where the Foundation can make a direct, tangible impact on causes that matter to our family.

The Residential Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children program, funded by the US Department of Health & Human Services, aims to provide safe and child-centered care for unaccompanied minors. This initiative supports organizations that can offer 24/7 services and are licensed to provide necessary care, including group homes and transitional foster care, particularly in areas near the U.S. southern border, ensuring the well-being of vulnerable children.

The Early Head Start Expansion and Child Care Partnership Grants aim to enhance early childhood services for low-income families across GA, NC, and VA. With approximately $7.7 million in federal funding, this initiative will provide comprehensive support to pregnant women, infants, and toddlers, fostering family stability and community prosperity. The program reflects the Administration for Children and Families' commitment to improving economic and social well-being through accessible, high-quality early education services.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program aims to enhance juvenile drug treatment courts (JDTCs) across the U.S. by supporting states, local courts, and Tribal governments. This initiative focuses on improving outcomes for youth dealing with substance use disorders or co-occurring mental health issues. The program underscores the commitment of the Office of Justice Programs to strengthen community safety and provide vital resources for effective intervention and support.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Missing and Exploited Children Training and Technical Assistance program aims to enhance the ability of state, Tribal, and local agencies to effectively address cases of missing and exploited children. This initiative will support multidisciplinary teams, including law enforcement and child protection personnel, to improve investigations and prosecutions. By providing essential resources and training, the program seeks to strengthen responses to protect vulnerable children and combat related public safety issues.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Community and Schools Youth Drug Prevention Program aims to combat youth substance use through comprehensive prevention strategies. This initiative invites applications from states, local governments, and nonprofit organizations to develop programs that educate and support youth in schools and community settings. By fostering collaboration with law enforcement and community coalitions, the program seeks to build capacity and implement effective interventions to protect the well-being of American youth.