Search Through Public Infrastructure Grants in North Carolina in the U.S.

Cannon Foundation Grant

The Cannon Foundation was established in 1943 by Charles A. Cannon, President and CEO of Cannon Mills Company. The Foundation continues his philanthropic legacy by funding capital and equipment projects for organizations across Mr. Cannon’s home state of North Carolina.

Areas of Focus

• Healthcare
  • Non-profit hospitals serving rural areas, hospices, federally qualified health centers and free clinics can be considered. Organizations serving special needs populations as well as mental health and substance use disorders in North Carolina can also be considered. Projects can range from medical equipment to construction or renovation of buildings or building infrastructure.
• Higher Education
  • The Foundation supports private colleges, community colleges serving Tier 1 or 2 counties and small public colleges across North Carolina. Projects that construct or renovate buildings or building infrastructure are considered as well as training equipment. Rural public libraries with capital needs may also apply.
• Human Services
  • Organizations that meet basic needs or help individuals escape the cycle of violence or poverty may apply for their capital or equipment needs, especially if they help in underserved parts of North Carolina. Projects can range from new roofs or HVAC systems to construction or renovation of buildings. 
• Community
  • A smaller number of grants are made for capital or equipment projects for organizations serving veterans, promoting the arts and providing historic or environmental preservation services in North Carolina. 

Mission

Golden LEAF’s mission is to increase economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural, tobacco dependent, and economically distressed communities through leadership in grantmaking, collaboration, innovation, and stewardship as an independent and perpetual foundation.

Community-Based Grants Initiative (CBGI)

Each year, the Golden LEAF Foundation invites organizations from counties from a different Prosperity Zone to participate in our $11 million Community-Based Grants Initiative (CBGI). The process is competitive, but organizations from all counties within the Prosperity Zone will have an opportunity to apply.

The CBGI is designed to identify projects with the potential to have a significant impact. It is a focused process with grants targeted toward investments in the building blocks of economic growth.

Funding Areas

Job Creation & Economic Investment

Golden LEAF funds economic development projects that focus on creating and retaining jobs, attracting new business to North Carolina, expanding industries and training new workers. Primarily, these projects are meant to create, expand, or improve business activity in tobacco dependent, economically distressed or rural communities. Golden LEAF partners with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and local governments to provide gap funding to assist with job creation.

Projects awarded in this priority area will gather data to support outcomes including:

• Investment in publicly owned infrastructure
• Investment in privately owned property, plant, and equipment
• New full-time jobs created
• Average annual wage of new full-time jobs
• Business start-ups

As well as narrative outcomes including: jobs retained that were at risk without Golden LEAF support; comparison to county wages; job creation in identified job sectors; etc.

Agriculture

Golden LEAF supports agriculture projects as an economic development engine. Our grants for agriculture projects have supported the development of new crops, expanded markets for agriculture products, scientific research, training for farmers, cost-effective techniques and value added agricultural enterprises.

Projects awarded in this priority area will gather data to support outcomes including:

• Number of participants at agricultural trainings
• New publications directed towards farmers
• Monthly use of agricultural facilities that benefit farmers

As well as narrative outcomes including: jobs, revenue growth, new agricultural business formations, economic output, changes in agricultural practices; acres in production; new crops/products grown or produced; and other measures of agriculture projects

Workforce Preparedness

Golden LEAF supports workforce projects that help close the skills gap and increase the pool of highly qualified individuals with skills aligned to North Carolina businesses’ current and future needs. We fund projects that demonstrate a market demand for skilled workers and aim at developing skill sets required by businesses looking to locate or expand in rural communities.

Projects awarded in this priority area will gather data to support outcomes including:

• Increase in students completing at least one curriculum program in the area funded.
• Increase in students completing at least one continuing education course or program in the area funded.
• Increase in students earning at least one industry/third party certification, license, or other credential (non-academic) in the area funded.
• Increase in students completing CTE pathways in the area funded.
• Increase in students participating in work-based learning.
• Increase in students receiving meaningful exposure and opportunities to explore local career opportunities.

As well as narrative outcomes including: students employed; incumbent workers trained; employer input and feedback; survey results; etc.

Available Funds

A total of $11m is available to support projects in the region. Awards are limited to no more than three projects in any county and may total no more than $1.5 million in any county. Not all proposals will be funded and there is no assurance that there will be a funded project in every county. Funds may also be awarded for regional projects (see information below), which will not count toward the limit of projects in a county, but regional projects are funded through the overall $11 million program budget.

Digital Equity Planning Grants 

Connect Humanity’s Digital Equity Planning Grants support communities to establish a holistic plan of action to achieve their digital equity goals.

As part of the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA), the US Government established Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and the Digital Equity Act (DEA). Together these programs provide $45 billion+ to support unserved and underserved communities to access the broadband, devices, and skills they need to participate fully in our digital world. Many of these communities currently lack the time, resources, and technical know-how to design the broadband plans they need to receive this funding. 

That’s why Connect Humanity supports low-income communities and communities of color to create Digital Equity Connectivity Plans. This process will identify the community’s digital needs and create a robust plan to meet them. The broadband networks that result will provide families and businesses with the reliable, affordable connectivity they need, leading to economic development, social mobility, and healthier communities.

A plan for better broadband

Efforts to bring better broadband to a community must start with a clear plan. This program provides grantees with funding and expertise to establish a holistic Digital Equity Connectivity Plan which will help them secure the partnerships and financing they need to advance internet access in their communities — and will be critical whether or not they receive government funding. We’ll tailor our support to meet you where you are, but typically we’d expect to partner with you to:

• Assess your community’s digital needs: to understand the current broadband market, where the gaps are, and the barriers to digital equity that need to be addressed.
• Create a network design: to define the technical requirements, operating and ownership model of the network.
• Build a business plan: with a sustainable revenue model, clear funding options, and a community engagement strategy.

Funding

Planning grants are a partnership effort between the community, the connectivity provider, external consultants, and Connect Humanity. The resulting Digital Equity Connectivity Plans are meant to support a community to pursue further funding for their networks and digital skills. For communities that have not completed much or any planning, more resources will be needed.

The full scope of our planning grants range from $10,000 to $120,000. This is dependent on the needs of the community. For example, while some communities have allocated public funding to support this work, others will need support for the full planning process.

Local Impact Grants

The Duke Energy Foundation is focused on strengthening and uplifting communities throughout North Carolina with grant funding. We accept grant applications for $20,000 and less throughout the year on a rolling basis for the focus areas describe below.

Vibrant Economies

• Workforce development training for jobs vital to the energy economy, with a focus on underrepresented populations
• Community revitalization and local economic development efforts
• Economic recovery for customers and communities facing unprecedented challenges
• Energy and engineering education for K-12 students and teachers

Climate Resiliency

• Environmental projects supporting land conservation; clean water; and biodiversity of plant and animal species
• Environmental resiliency projects that prepare communities for and mitigate against the effects of climate change
• Natural disaster preparedness and response
• Projects strengthening thriving natural environments, including access to green space, in historically underserved communities.

Opportunity and Inclusion

• Programs supporting a just transition for communities moving toward cleaner energy infrastructure
• Initiatives supporting upward mobility for families and individuals in the communities we serve
• Programs reducing structural barriers and promoting access to opportunity for underserved communities

Economic Catalyst Program

Golden LEAF will consider applications to assist eligible state, regional and local economic development entities with grants to support permissible activities in projects in which a company will commit to create a specific number of full time jobs in a tobacco-dependent or economically distressed area. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Golden LEAF staff to discuss the potential projects and conditions that may be applicable prior to submitting an application.

Competitive applications will include information showing that the expected job creation is AT RISK without Golden LEAF support. An applicant can demonstrate that a project is AT RISK by identifying a funding gap that exists that would significantly impair the applicant’s ability to attract the anticipated jobs if Golden LEAF does not make a grant for the project.

Examples of other factors that may be considered to determine whether a project is AT RISK without Golden LEAF support include:

• evidence of urgency for financial assistance necessary to facilitate job creation;
• whether local governments have provided support for the project at levels that are appropriate in light of available resources. (Golden LEAF funds will not be available to satisfy shortfalls resulting from local policies limiting local support for a project.); and
• whether the applicant has secured or attempted to secure funding for the project from other sources such as the State of North Carolina, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, EDA, ARC, and others.

The Golden LEAF Foundation will consider at least the following factors when determining whether to fund a project and at what level:

• the economic distress of the community in which the jobs would be created,
• the number of jobs to be created,
• the quality of jobs to be created, measured by factors including wages paid and skill levels involved.

Examples of other factors Golden LEAF may consider when determining the amount and availability of funding for a project include:

• the economic impact of project, including costs and benefits to the state;
• the strategic importance of the project to the state, region, or community;
• the importance of the industry to the state, region, and community;
• the quality and viability of the company that will create the jobs assessed by factors including how long the company has been in operation and its financial success;
• the Golden LEAF grant will address needs that are directly related to job creation from the project;
• there is competition for the project with a site outside North Carolina;
• Golden LEAF support will also help avoid imminent job losses.

Economically distressed or tobacco-dependent communities that are located in high wealth counties may make the case for support because the project will be located in a low-wealth area or an area with negative trends in employment, income, poverty, or similar factors.

Examples of eligible projects include:

Funding to help with the delivery of training programs offered by eligible entities, typically the local community college.

• Golden LEAF funds are usually used for acquisition of training equipment or construction/renovation of space needed to provide the training.
• Training must be available to the public and be for transferable skills.
• Golden LEAF funds may be used in conjunction with, but not to displace training funds available through other sources such as the NC Community College System.
• When Golden LEAF funds are used for costs associated with job training, Golden LEAF will typically require evidence of an inducement agreement demonstrating that the company is obligated to meet the job creation projections and wage goals, and providing appropriate consequences should the company fail to satisfy its obligations; however, Golden LEAF usually does not require a clawback specifically for the Golden LEAF grant funds.

Funding for costs associated with public infrastructure improvements, such as water and sewer, that are needed for the project.

• Golden LEAF funds may not be used for construction of infrastructure on private property or for privately owned infrastructure;
• When Golden LEAF funds are used for infrastructure costs, Golden LEAF will typically require evidence of an inducement agreement demonstrating that the company is obligated to meet the job creation projections and wage goals, and providing appropriate consequences should the company fail to satisfy its obligations; however, Golden LEAF usually does not require a clawback specifically for the Golden LEAF grant funds.

Funds for purchase of equipment to be owned by the grantee and leased to the business at a rate that allows recovery of the full cost of the equipment plus interest at the IRS-determined Applicable Federal Rate over the life of the lease.

• Golden LEAF will approve the terms of the lease for the equipment.
• In projects such as these, Golden LEAF will typically require the business to pay an increased lease rate as a penalty if the company fails to create the promised jobs.

Economic Catalyst proposals may be submitted throughout the year and will be presented to the Golden LEAF Foundation Board at the next regularly scheduled meeting that is not less than six weeks after submission of the completed proposal. The proposal may be submitted at an earlier Board meeting if Golden LEAF is able to complete its review of the proposal prior to the meeting. Applicants should inform Golden LEAF if their projects are urgent and should specifically identify the reason for the urgency.

 North Carolina Arts Council 

The North Carolina Arts Council launched its work in 1967 as awareness of the importance of arts to all citizens was becoming a national movement. Since then, the arts in North Carolina have come to be valued as one of our state’s most durable and productive assets.

After decades of vigorous work, experimentation, and refinement, our state’s arts infrastructure reaches into all 100 counties through one of the most highly developed and effective networks of local arts councils in our nation. An abundance of outstanding artists and arts organizations continues to enrich our communities.

About Anchorlight

Anchorlight is a creative space, founded with the intent of fostering artists at varying stages of their development. Anchorlight provides a combination of artist studios, residency opportunities, and exhibition space. Through the establishment of an internal community of artists, designers, and craftspeople, Anchorlight encourages mentorship and the cross-pollination of knowledge and skills. 

The Brightwork Program at Anchorlight will begin offering a Professional Development Grant and a Special Project Grant to visual artists in 2026.

Brightwork Grants: Special Project Grant

One artist will be selected for the 2026 Special Project Grant. Grant funds may be used for the production of studio based work including (not limited to):

• Purchase of equipment, tools, or studio materials.
• Expenses related to a future, confirmed solo exhibition in a public gallery.
• Research related expenses specific to your project. 

The RTP is a federal grant program authorized by Congress in 2012 as Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21). The intent of the RTP is to help fund trails and trail-related recreational needs at the State level. Funding for the RTP comes from federal gas taxes paid on non-highway fuel used in off-highway vehicles, and the program is administered at the Federal level by the Federal Highway Administration.

At the State level, the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has assigned that responsibility to the Division of Parks and Recreation and its NC Trails Program. The North Carolina Trails Committee is a seven-member advisory committee who will review all applications and make recommendations for funding. The Secretary of DNCR has the final approval authority for North Carolina.

The Division of Parks & Recreation (DPR), the North Carolina Trails Program, and the North Carolina Trails Committee (NCTC) value trail projects that are legal, safe, and managed, providing connectivity, reasonable public access and parking. The North Carolina Trails Program Staff are ready, willing, and available to assist in all phases of the application process of projects that are construction ready for grant funding. These sustainable, shovel-ready projects leverage local funds to meet recreational trail and trail-needs, in an effort to provide low infrastructure economic development opportunities through natural resource tourism. The NC Trails Program Staff are also available to assist applicants with conceptual projects, in order to meet the technical requirements of an RTP Grant before applying.

Recreational Trails Program Grant

The Division of Parks and Recreation, the North Carolina Trails Program, and the North Carolina Trails Committee value trail projects that are legal, safe, managed, and provide connectivity, reasonable public access, and parking.

The Trails Program staff are ready, willing, and available to assist in all phases of the application process for projects that are construction-ready for grant funding. These sustainable, "shovel-ready" projects leverage local funds to meet recreational trail and trail needs, in an effort to provide low infrastructure economic development opportunities through natural resource tourism.

The Trails Program staff are also available to assist applicants with conceptual projects, in order to meet the technical requirements of an RTP Grant before applying.

Corporate Contributions

Community involvement and corporate citizenship are an example of Insperity’s mission in action. We are committed to helping the communities where we live and work because together, we know we can make great things happen.

Grants

Philanthropic grants are a strong part of our community outreach and aid institutions needing financial support to meet important service goals.

Event Sponsorship

Fundraising events are an important part of nonprofit support. Insperity provides event sponsorships to approved charities to assist them in meeting their financial and community goals.

Golden LEAF Grant Programs

The Golden LEAF Foundation, a North Carolina grant-making organization, helps eligible state, regional and local economic development entities with job creation projects in tobacco-dependent or economically distressed areas of the state.

Golden LEAF offers three grant programs that can address infrastructure needs:

• Site Program
• Economic Catalyst Program
• Open Grants Program

Open Grants Program

Used for public infrastructure; clearing and rough grading (publicly owned sites only)

The Open Grants Program allows applicants to apply for Golden LEAF funding throughout the year. Eligible applicants are governmental entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.

Priority Funding Areas

This program is for economic development projects aligned with the Golden LEAF priority areas. More details regarding Golden LEAF’s priority areas and priority outcomes are available at the links below:

• Job Creation and Economic Investment
• Workforce Preparedness
• Agriculture
• Community Competitiveness, Capacity, and Vitality

The Golden LEAF Foundation is committed to using the funds entrusted to it for projects that show the most potential for strengthening North Carolina’s economy, especially in tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and/or rural communities.

Funding

Most awards in the Open Grants Program will be for $200,000 or less. For projects that possess some of the additional characteristics described below, Golden LEAF may make awards of up to $500,000 from this program. Most awards from this program will be $200,000 or less.

To determine which projects will be eligible for consideration for an award of more than $200,000, Golden LEAF requires that the project include one or more of these characteristics:

• Higher level of funding will lead to significant outcomes
• Result of a planning process involving multiple organizations and members of the community
• Building on a history of success that allows a project to scale and significantly increase outcomes
• Funding will enable or encourage compelling collaboration including: uncommon or innovative approaches or organizations in more than one county
• Funding will leverage significant funding from other organizations
• Applicant has limited resources
• The project cannot be implemented in phases without compromising its outcomes

Applicants who wish to apply for more than $200,000 in funding from the Open Grants Program must complete a required consultation with Golden LEAF staff.

Overview

Golden LEAF’s mission is to increase economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities through leadership in grantmaking, collaboration, innovation, and stewardship as an independent and perpetual foundation.

Open Grants Program

The Open Grants Program allows applicants to apply for Golden LEAF funding throughout the year. The Golden LEAF Foundation is committed to using the funds entrusted to it for projects that show the most potential for strengthening North Carolina’s economy, especially in tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and/or rural communities.

Priorities

This program is for economic development projects aligned with the Golden LEAF priority areas. More details regarding Golden LEAF’s priority areas and priority outcomes are available at the links below.

Job Creation & Economic Investment

Projects in this priority area gather data to support outcomes including: 

• Investment in publicly owned infrastructure
• Investment in privately owned property, plant, and equipment
• New full-time jobs created
• Average annual wage of new full-time jobs
• Business start-ups

Agriculture

Projects awarded in this priority area will gather data to support outcomes including:

• Number of participants at agricultural trainings
• New publications directed towards farmers
• Monthly use of agricultural facilities that benefit farmers
• As well as narrative outcomes including: jobs, revenue growth, new agricultural business formations, economic output, changes in agricultural practices; acres in production; new crops/products grown or produced; and other measures of agriculture projects.cts awarded in this priority area will gather data to support outco

Workforce Preparedness

Projects awarded in this priority area will gather data to support outcomes including:

• Increase in students earning at least one academic credential (curriculum diploma, certificate, or associate degree/con ed certificate) in the area funded.
• Increase in students earning at least one industry/third party certification, license, or other credential (nonacademic) in the area funded.
• Increase in high school students completing CTE pathways in the area funded.
• Increase in secondary or post-secondary students participating in work-based learning.
• Increase in secondary students receiving meaningful exposure and opportunities to explore local career opportunities.

Community Competitiveness and Capacity

At Golden LEAF, our grantmaking responds to the challenges and opportunities that are presented day-to-day and year-to-year. That is why we’re always looking for new ways to leverage our funding, to accomplish more and to build new relationships. Since inception, the initiatives that we have launched are a testament to what can be achieved when many players from every sector come together to form partnerships for change.

Competitive applications for projects include requests for funds to:

Most awards in the Open Grants Program will be for $200,000 or less. Golden LEAF may make awards of up to $500,000 from this program for projects that possess some of the additional characteristics described on this page.

Competitive applications for projects include requests for funds to:

• Develop and implement a new workforce training program to meet demand from local employers
• Implement a career pathway at a high school for a high demand field
• Extend water, sewer, or road infrastructure to a site to enable industrial development that will create full-time jobs
• Support the development of new crops, expand markets for agriculture products, or provide training for farmers.

For more information on how Golden LEAF evaluates Open Grants proposals, including detailed characteristics of competitive projects, please download the program guidelines, review the frequently asked questions, or contact Golden LEAF staff for assistance.

Public Infrastructure Funds

Infrastructure is critical to attracting companies and supporting expansion. North Carolina has mulitple resources to help communities invest in their utility and transportation infrastructue so they are better positioned to compete for business.

State Rural Grant

The Economic Infrastructure Program provides grants to local governments to assist with infrastructure projects that will lead to the creation of new, full-time jobs.

Eligible projects include but are not limited to:

• Upgrades or repair of public drinking water or wastewater treatment plants
• Upgrades, extensions, or repair of public water or sewer lines
• Extensions of publicly owned natural gas line (with an executed Pipeline Construction, Operating and Resale Agreement
• Installation or extension of public broadband infrastructure
• Construction of publicly owned access roads not funded or owned by the NC Department of Transportation
• Construction of public rail spur improvements.

PLTW Computer Science

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 10,000 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from more than 60 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned.

Getting students excited about STEM is essential to building a brighter future for all of us. Showing students how STEM topics fit into the real world and real careers can give them the tools to embrace this vital message. Burns & McDonnell and its Foundation have partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in Burns & McDonnell communities. PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges.

Through this partnership, Burns and McDonnell is supporting PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW programs beginning in the next academic year.

Program Requirements

Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Computer Science course in the 2025-2026 academic year and must offer one additional course each academic year of the grant period (two different courses in two years). Grantee may implement any PLTW Computer Science courses of their choosing. Grantee must complete two years of grant reporting. 

PLTW Program Status

School Type: Public, Charter

New Program

Grant Award and Distribution Schedule

• Total Award: $20,000
  • First Year: $10,000
  • Second Year: $10,000

PLTW Computer Science

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 10,000 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from more than 60 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned.

Getting students excited about STEM is essential to building a brighter future for all of us. Showing students how STEM topics fit into the real world and real careers can give them the tools to embrace this vital message. Burns & McDonnell and its Foundation have partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in Burns & McDonnell communities. PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges.

Through this partnership, Burns and McDonnell is supporting PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW programs beginning in the next academic year.

Program Requirements

Grantee must use their grant funds to expand their existing PLTW Computer Science program. Example expansion activities include but are not limited to adding an additional PLTW Computer Science course not previously offered, and/or adding additional class periods of an existing PLTW Computer Science courses previously offered, and/or training additional teachers in PLTW Computer Science courses for the 2025-2026 academic year. Grantee must complete one year of Grant reporting. 

PLTW Program Status

Program Expansion

School Type: Public, Charter

PLTW Engineering

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 10,000 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from more than 60 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned.

Getting students excited about STEM is essential to building a brighter future for all of us. Showing students how STEM topics fit into the real world and real careers can give them the tools to embrace this vital message. Burns & McDonnell and its Foundation have partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in Burns & McDonnell communities. PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges.

Through this partnership, Burns and McDonnell is supporting PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW programs beginning in the next academic year.

Program Requirements

Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Engineering course in the 2025-2026 academic year and must offer one additional course each academic year of the grant period (two different courses in two years). Grantee may implement any PLTW Engineering courses of their choosing. Grantee must complete two years of grant reporting. 

PLTW Program Status- New Program

School Type: Public, Charter

Grant Award and Distribution Schedule

• Total Award: $40,000
  • First Year: $20,000
  • Second Year: $20,000

PLTW Engineering

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 10,000 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from more than 60 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned.

Getting students excited about STEM is essential to building a brighter future for all of us. Showing students how STEM topics fit into the real world and real careers can give them the tools to embrace this vital message. Burns & McDonnell and its Foundation have partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in Burns & McDonnell communities. PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges.

Through this partnership, Burns and McDonnell is supporting PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW programs beginning in the next academic year.

Program Requirements

Grantee must use their grant funds to expand their existing PLTW Engineering program. Example expansion activities include but are not limited to adding an additional PLTW Engineering course not previously offered, and/or adding additional class periods of an existing PLTW Engineering courses previously offered, and/or training additional teachers in PLTW Engineering courses for the 2025-2026 academic year. Grantee must complete one year of grant reporting. 

PLTW Program Status- Program Expansion

School Type: Public, Charter

PLTW Gateway

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 10,000 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from more than 60 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned.

Getting students excited about STEM is essential to building a brighter future for all of us. Showing students how STEM topics fit into the real world and real careers can give them the tools to embrace this vital message. Burns & McDonnell and its Foundation have partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in Burns & McDonnell communities. PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges.

Through this partnership, Burns and McDonnell is supporting PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW programs beginning in the next academic year.

Program Requirements

Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Gateway unit in the 2025-2026 academic year and must offer one additional unit each academic year of the grant period (two different units in two years). Grantee may implement any PLTW Gateway units of their choosing. Grantee must complete two years of grant reporting.

PLTW Program Status

New Program

School Type: Public, Charter

Grant Award and Distribution Schedule

• Total Award: $20,000
  • First Year: $10,000
  • Second Year: $10,000

PLTW Gateway

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 10,000 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from more than 60 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned.

Getting students excited about STEM is essential to building a brighter future for all of us. Showing students how STEM topics fit into the real world and real careers can give them the tools to embrace this vital message. Burns & McDonnell and its Foundation have partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in Burns & McDonnell communities. PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges.

Through this partnership, Burns and McDonnell is supporting PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW programs beginning in the next academic year.

Program Requirements

Grantee must use their grant funds to expand their existing PLTW Gateway program. Example expansion activities include but are not limited to adding an additional PLTW Gateway unit not previously offered, and/or adding additional class periods of an existing PLTW Gateway unit previously offered, and/or training additional teachers in a PLTW Gateway unit for the 2025-2026 academic year. Grantee must complete one year of grant reporting. 

PLTW Program Status

Program Expansion

PLTW Launch

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 10,000 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from more than 60 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned.

Getting students excited about STEM is essential to building a brighter future for all of us. Showing students how STEM topics fit into the real world and real careers can give them the tools to embrace this vital message. Burns & McDonnell and its Foundation have partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in Burns & McDonnell communities. PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges.

Through this partnership, Burns and McDonnell is supporting PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW programs beginning in the next academic year.

Program Requirements

Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Launch module in the 2025-2026 academic year and must offer one additional module each academic year of the grant period (two different modules in two years). Grantee may implement any PLTW Launch modules of their choosing. Grantee must complete two years of grant reporting.

PLTW Program Status

New Program

School Type: Public, Charter

PLTW Launch

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 10,000 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from more than 60 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned.

Getting students excited about STEM is essential to building a brighter future for all of us. Showing students how STEM topics fit into the real world and real careers can give them the tools to embrace this vital message. Burns & McDonnell and its Foundation have partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in Burns & McDonnell communities. PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges.

Through this partnership, Burns and McDonnell is supporting PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW programs beginning in the next academic year.

Program Requirements

Grantees must use these grant funds to expand their program. Example expansion activities include but are not limited to adding an additional PLTW Launch module not previously offered, and/or offering existing PLTW Launch modules to more students, and/or training additional teachers in PLTW Launch Classroom Teacher Training or PLTW Launch Lead Teacher Training for the 2025-2026 academic year. Grantee must complete one year of grant reporting. 

PLTW Program Status

Program Expansion

School Type: Public, Charter

About Evergreen

The mission of the Evergreen Foundation is to improve access to and public awareness of quality prevention, treatment, and support services by the provider community to individuals and families with intellectual/developmental disabilities or behavioral health and/or substance abuse needs in Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties.

The Evergreen Foundation was formed in 1977 as a separate not-for-profit company by the Board of Smoky Mountain Mental Health. The purpose of the Foundation was to provide a place to hold funds that could later provide financial support of their mental health, developmental disability and substance abuse services. In keeping with that purpose, the Foundation continues to provide this same support to the private service providers now responsible for all of the behavioral health, intellectual/developmental disability and substance abuse services in the seven western counties of North Carolina.

Funding is allocated through a competitive grant process by the Evergreen Board of Directors on a quarterly basis.

Activities include:

• Infrastructure support to the service network
• Start-up and service provision grants
• Scholarships to enhance the quality of the provider network
• Public awareness/education
• Fund raising to support Evergreen Foundation activities
• Advocacy on behalf of consumers and the provider community

Grants

In any fiscal year, the Evergreen Foundation generally issues between 25 and 30 grants. There is not a lower or upper limit on requests.

Recipients included providers of behavioral health, substance abuse and developmental disability services such as Meridian Behavioral Heath Services, Jackson County Psychological Services, The ARC of Haywood County, Appalachian Community Services, Webster Enterprises, Southwestern Child Development and many more.

Community Collaborative Research Grant Program

The Community Collaborative Research Grant Program, or CCRG, is supported by North Carolina Sea Grant, in partnership with the William R. Kenan Jr. Institute for Engineering, Technology and Science based at North Carolina State University.

The CCRG requires the use of a collaborative research approach that couples the knowledge of community stakeholders with academic experts in the field to address priority coastal issues that align with the mission and strategic plan of Sea Grant.

Proposed projects must justify how the work would be relevant to the missions and strategic plans of NC Sea Grant and/or WRRI. The 2018-2021 NC Sea Grant Strategic Plan defines four focus areas:

• healthy coastal ecosystems;
• sustainable fisheries and aquaculture;
• resilient communities and economies; and
• environmental literacy and workforce development.

WRRI focus areas eligible under this RFP include:

• stormwater management;
• drinking water, wastewater and water infrastructure;
• groundwater and surface water; and
• watershed management.

CCRG requires research approaches that couple the knowledge of community stakeholders with academic experts in the field. While members of the public may have local knowledge of their own communities and environments, they oftentimes do not have the scientific expertise required to fully characterize the problem and craft science-based solutions. Conversely, academic experts may be knowledgeable of scientific principles and potential solutions required to mitigate the problem, but lack the social and historical perspective that will aid in crafting solutions to meet the expectations of community members. This type of collaborative research — requiring the linkage of local knowledge expertise with university researchers — has a proven track record of developing new tools and solutions in resource management.

We hope to increase resources flowing toward rural areas of North Carolina. As such, CCRG projects that occur within and/or that will provide benefit to rural areas are encouraged. We also encourage projects that will benefit other historically underserved and under-resourced neighborhoods, communities and populations.

Recognizing that some students and faculty have been under-targeted with research opportunities, and that some students and faculty are underrepresented in the sciences, we encourage submissions by and/or collaborative partnerships with African American, Hispanic and Native American students, faculty, and community teams, including, but not limited to, students and faculty at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).

Proposal Development

Proposals should be collaborative and represent a process that utilizes the scientific and local knowledge experts throughout the entire project. Every applicant is encouraged to consult with NC Sea Grant/WRRI staff members for assistance in proposal development. These experts can provide early feedback on a project idea and help to identify project team members. Applicants are required to detail how they will transfer their results to community and academic stakeholders. Contact information for NC Sea Grant/WRRI staff members is available here.

Funding Availability

Awards will range between $5,000 and $25,000, with an estimated 2 to 5 awards per year. Matching/in-kind funds are not required but are highly encouraged. Investigators may only propose one-year (12 months maximum) research projects. Projects should be planned around a May 15, 2025 start date. Individuals may be lead PI or co-PI on only one proposal but can be participants on multiple proposals. 

Background

As a part of North Carolina’s approved application for State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP), the state will receive approximately $5.3 million in federal grant funding under this award. North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM), a division of the NC Department of Public Safety (NCDPS), is charged with managing this grant for the state.

Eligible applicants may only submit one application with a single project for up to $100,000.

Required Elements

The State Cybersecurity Planning Committee has developed a State Cybersecurity Plan that aligns with the 16 required elements specified in the SLCGP NOFO. All eligible applicants requesting SLCGP funding must align proposed projects with any/all of these required elements:

• Manage, monitor, and track information systems, applications, and user accounts owned or operated by, or on behalf of, the state or local governments within the state, and the information technology deployed on those information systems, including legacy information systems and information technology that are no longer supported by the manufacturer of the systems or technology.
• Monitor, audit, and track network traffic and activity transiting or traveling to or from information systems, applications, and user accounts owned or operated by, or on behalf of, the state or local governments within the state.
• Enhance the preparation, response, and resilience of information systems, applications, and user accounts owned or operated by, or on behalf of, the state or local governments within the state, against cybersecurity risks and cybersecurity threats.
• Implement a process of continuous cybersecurity vulnerability assessments and threat mitigation practices prioritized by degree of risk to address cybersecurity risks and cybersecurity threats on information systems, applications, and user accounts owned or operated by, or on behalf of, the state or local governments within the state.
• Ensure that the state or local governments within the state, adopt and use best practices and methodologies to enhance cybersecurity, discussed further below.
  • Implement multi-factor authentication
  • Implement enhanced logging
  • Data encryption for data at rest and in transit
  • End use of unsupported/end of life software and hardware that are accessible from the  internet
  • Prohibit use of known/fixed/default passwords and credentials
  • Ensure the ability to reconstitute systems (backups); and
  • Migration to the .gov internet domain
  • Additional best practices that the Cybersecurity Plan can address include:
    • The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework
    • NIST’s cyber chain supply chain risk management best practices; and
    • Knowledge bases of adversary tools and tactics
• Promote the delivery of safe, recognizable, and trustworthy online services by the state or local governments within the state, including through the use of the .gov internet domain.
• Ensure continuity of operations of the state or local governments within the state, in the event of a cybersecurity incident, including by conducting exercises to practice responding to a cybersecurity incident.
• Use the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity developed by NIST to identify and mitigate any gaps in the cybersecurity workforces of the state or local governments within the state, enhance recruitment and retention efforts for those workforces, and bolster the knowledge, skills, and abilities of personnel of the state or local governments within the state, to address cybersecurity risks and cybersecurity threats, such as through cybersecurity hygiene training.
• Ensures continuity of communication and data networks within the jurisdiction of the state between the state and local governments within the state in the event of an incident involving those communications or data networks.
• Assess and mitigate, to the greatest degree possible, cybersecurity risks and cybersecurity threats relating to critical infrastructure and key resources, the degradation of which may impact the performance of information systems within the jurisdiction of the state.
• Enhance capabilities to share cyber threat indicators and related information between the state, local governments within the state, and CISA.
• Leverage cybersecurity services offered by the Department (See Appendix G for additional information on CISA resources and required services and membership).
• Implement an information technology and operational technology modernization cybersecurity review process that ensures alignment between information technology and operational technology cybersecurity objectives.
• Develop and coordinate strategies to address cybersecurity risks and cybersecurity threats. Local governments and associations of local governments within the state should be consulted. Cybersecurity Planning Committees should also consider consulting neighboring entities, including adjacent states and countries.
• Ensure adequate access to, and participation in, the services and programs described in this subparagraph by rural areas within the state.
• Distribute funds, items, services, capabilities, or activities to local governments.

The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive.

Our Mission

To conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.

Connectivity, Climate, Communities Fund

To make the highest possible impact on the climate and biodiversity crises, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is committed to advancing solutions and supporting partners throughout the Appalachians to connect and conserve vital wildlife habitat, build resilience to the impacts of climate change, and generate new job and recreation opportunities for communities.

Approximately one-third of the U.S. population lives in or within 100 miles of the Appalachians, including an estimated 36 million people that rely on the region for sources of drinking water. The landscape contains the world's largest remaining expanses of temperate broadleaf mixed forest and provides habitat to a wide diversity of plants of animals, many of which are listed as rare, threatened, or endangered. Conserving this landscape is critical for nature and for the people that live and work there.

However as climate change drives ecosystem instability, plants and animals are shifting their ranges northward, and people are having to find ways to adapt to complex and intertwined challenges. TNC and many others have been working to conserve vital Appalachian habitats for decades. Now we must ramp up our efforts and coordinate with partners across the Appalachians for maximum impact.

To succeed in these efforts, TNC’s Connectivity, Climate, Communities Fund offers two grant programs for conservation and community organizations, municipalities, Federally Recognized Tribal Nations, and local and state agencies in the Appalachians who are working to protect and conserve this region:

• The Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program
• The New York Climate Resilience Grant Program

Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program

The Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program provides grants of up to $100,000 for fee and easement acquisition projects throughout the Appalachians.

Equitable Conservation and Community Benefits

Conservation organizations are increasingly acknowledging the importance of incorporating social equity in their missions, partnerships, and projects and evolving how they work to have better outcomes for people and nature.

TNC defines community benefits as the positive outcomes that directly result from or are included within conservation projects as experienced by local communities and people. This is particularly important for historically marginalized communities, communities with limited access to nature, communities experiencing heightened impacts of climate change due to systemic underinvestment and poor infrastructure, and Indigenous communities. 

RCA program funding will support projects that demonstrate meaningful community engagement, work with those historically excluded from conservation, and lead to a fairer distribution of benefits for people and communities.

Some examples of community benefits include improved and greater access to nature, protection of drinking water sources, recreational and resource-based economic opportunities, flood mitigation, engagement in cross-cultural initiatives, or protection of lands that will meet community-defined conservation needs. We encourage projects with meaningful community benefits that are integrated with the land protection goals.

Project Evaluation

Projects will be evaluated  according to their capacity to deliver land protection outcomes aligned with the program goals, including:

• Location:
  • the project is located within TNC’s Appalachians Program boundary and is in or near a mapped focal area.  Projects outside of focal areas will also be considered.
• Resilience:
  • the percentage of the total project area that is part of the Resilient and Connected Network.
• Connectivity:
  • adjacency to protected lands or other attributes that will lead to landscape connectivity over time (e.g., the project is a necessary acquisition for advancing a local or regional plan that aims to protect a critical conservation corridor).
• Collaboration:
  • evidence of engagement with other organizations, community groups, or local governments (including, but not limited to, shared funding).
• Community:
  • project elements that directly engage and or benefit people, especially vulnerable or marginalized communities.
• Timeline:
  • the project will close within 12 months from the start of the grant agreement term.
• Feasibility:
  • likelihood that the project will close and the costs seem reasonable.

Grants for Local Governments

The N.C. Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) administers the Solid Waste Outreach Program including associated funds for making grants to local governments in support of waste reduction efforts. Local governments interested in these grants are encouraged to check this website periodically for updates. Please be aware that funding levels, contract periods, and eligibility requirements vary between the different grant programs.

Community Waste Reduction and Recycling Grant Program

Proposals are now being accepted for the 2025 Community Waste Reduction and Recycling (CWRAR) Grant Program.

This grant program is a recurring annual funding opportunity for local governments to build lasting capacity to divert materials from the waste stream and/or increase public awareness of recycling.

Request For Proposals

The purpose of this grant program is to assist local governments with the implementation, expansion, and improvement of waste reduction and recycling programs in North Carolina. The Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) administers the Community Waste Reduction and Recycling (CWRAR) grant program through the Solid Waste Management Outreach Program.

With the release of this Request for Proposals (RFP), DEACS is seeking proposals that help communities build lasting capacity to divert materials from the waste stream and/or that increase public awareness of waste reduction and recycling. Applicants should carefully read this entire RFP prior to submitting a proposal.

Standard Project Grants – Eligible for up to $30,000 of grant funding

Standard Project Grants include any projects that increase or enhance public waste reduction and recycling but fall outside of the 2025 priorities. Standard Projects may include but are not limited to drop-off recycling infrastructure, vehicles and infrastructure for recycling collection or consolidation, education and outreach initiatives, or construction and demolition recycling.

Cash Match

CWRAR grants require a cash match of at least 20 percent of the requested grant funding. For example, a grantee requesting a $20,000 grant must match at least $4,000 with local funds for a total project cost of $24,000. Distributions from the $2 per ton Solid Waste Disposal Tax may be used to cover cash match requirements. In-kind contributions will not be accepted in lieu of cash match.

To calculate the necessary cash match for any grant project, determine the total budget associated with the project and then use the following equation: total project budget ÷ 6 = required cash match.

Background

The Rural Economic Development Division, as authorized under N.C.G.S 143B-472.127, administers grants to local government units awarded by the Rural Infrastructure Authority to support downtown revitalization/economic development activity. The program gives priority to projects located in the 80 most distressed counties in the state, and local units of government working with the Rural Economic Development Division’s NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center.

Purpose

The purpose of the program is to support downtown revitalization and economic development initiatives that are intended to help local governments grow and leverage downtown districts as assets for economic growth, economic development, and prosperity.

Projects

This program will support projects that:

• Provide public improvements that help retain businesses and attract customers to business districts.
• Support publicly owned downtown economic development initiatives that leverage main streets and downtown districts as economic engines.
• Facilitate publicly owned building improvements that are used for community-wide uses or mixed-use development in or on properties that are publicly owned and controlled.

Funding Availability

The potential funding available for each project will be assessed through analysis of the project and will be based upon the project’s location in the downtown district, its community-wide use, the anticipated economic impact of the project, and at the discretion of the Rural Infrastructure Authority.

The maximum grant amount is $850,000 per grantee and may not exceed $12,500 per projected job created or retained. There is no minimum grant amount. Applicants should consider feasibility as it relates to the overall cost of any project. Grant administration costs are limited to five percent (5%) of the awarded grant total.

State-Level Systemic Change Strategy

For decades, ZSR has supported positive changes to state-level systems and structures to ensure that North Carolina is a place where all people can thrive. This commitment is rooted in and driven by our mission and our core values. Over the years, our grantees have made significant gains for all North Carolinians, but we still have much to do together. Therefore, we remain committed to state-level systemic change. We desire for ALL North Carolinians to have access to high-quality public education, to benefit from a healthy and sustainable environment, to enjoy economic opportunity under just and fair rules and to be able to engage fully in civic life.

Our Vision

The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation believes that all of North Carolina benefits when every North Carolinian has the resources and opportunities to achieve their full potential and when each person’s worth and dignity is affirmed. Therefore, we desire for ALL North Carolinians to have access to high-quality education, to benefit from a healthy and sustainable environment, to enjoy economic opportunity under just and fair rules and to be able to engage fully in civic life.

Our Strategy

We recognize that there are systemic and structural barriers in place, particularly regarding race, that disadvantage some North Carolinians from realizing this vision, even as they advantage others. Therefore, the Foundation, consistent with our core values, seeks to partner with others to help change state-level systems in ways that overcome those barriers and thereby help improve the quality of life for all North Carolinians. In particular, we believe that working together across issues, approaches and populations is necessary to create systemic change.*

• *By “state-level systemic change,” we mean something different than reform or piecemeal policy change. Rather, we seek to support efforts aimed at making “fundamental change in policies, processes, relationships and power structures, as well as values and norms” that impair the quality of life for North Carolinians.

We will support grantees using one or more approaches, including, but not limited to:

• Advocacy 
• Applied Research 
• Communications/Digital Media 
• Leadership Development 
• Legal/Litigation 
• Organizing/Mobilizing 
• Training/Education 

We will give particular emphasis to work targeted at improving opportunities and outcomes for populations who have been historically marginalized, subjected to systemic discrimination, or excluded from full participation in society, including, but not limited to:

• Immigrants 
• People who are LGBTQIA+
• Individuals with low income
• People of Color
• Women 
• Young People 

The Foundation seeks to help build the capacity of its grantees in this strategy to work better together in service of the above-stated vision.

ZSR'S Four Priority Areas

As part of ZSR's State-Level Systemic Change Strategy, we focus on four priority areas that are integral to achieving this state-level vision. We recognize that each of these four areas intersect in multiple ways, and look for approaches that not only strengthen each, but also work holistically within and across them.​

Advancing Public Education

Consistent with the Foundation’s mission and core values, the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation believes that children in North Carolina should have equitable, universal access to high quality public education that develops the full potential of each child. Access to high quality early childhood education and k-12 public education is a foundation block of democracy and is essential for the future economic sustainability, prosperity and ongoing vitality of our state and its communities. The Foundation further believes that children are best prepared to live, work and lead in our increasingly diverse state if schools are racially, ethnically and economically diverse and if schools value the individual experiences and contributions of each student.

Consequently, the Foundation supports efforts that:

• build the public will to support and strengthen North Carolina’s public systems of education, including early childhood education through high school*;
• build the capacity of these systems for continuous improvement; and
• advance educational equity. 

Through this grantmaking strategy, the Foundation funds work that is focused on state-level systemic change.

Fostering a Healthy and Sustainable Environment

The Foundation believes that lasting state-level systemic change is most likely to be achieved and sustained through the combined efforts of networks of local, regional and statewide organizations working with different constituencies; using multiple strategies and approaches; and working together towards common or aligned goals. One of the priority areas for the SLSC Strategy is Fostering a Healthy and Sustainable Environment, which, with the exception of a couple modifications, has been described as follows since 2018:

• Consistent with the Foundation’s mission and core values, the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation seeks to improve the lives of all North Carolinians by preventing harm to, ensuring access to, and enhancing the resilience of the natural systems that sustain life.
  • The Foundation believes healthy natural systems are deeply connected to human health, economic security, and community resilience. In addition, because low-income communities and communities of color shoulder a disproportionate share of environmental hazards, the Foundation places a special emphasis on promoting solutions that address ongoing injustice.
• Consequently, the Foundation supports local, regional and/or statewide efforts that:
  • prevent and mitigate the impacts of climate change;
  • ensure healthy air and water quality and water quantity;
  • promote access to the green economy;
  • address the impact of environmental hazards on human health; and
  • protect significant ecosystems while meeting the growth demands of the state in environmentally sound ways.
• Through this grantmaking strategy, the Foundation funds work that is focused on state-level systemic change. For a healthy environment across the state, the Foundation recognizes that some of its environmental investments may need to focus locally and/or regionally within the state.

Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities across North Carolina continue to be significantly impacted by the layered effects of climate change, polluting industries and systemic racism. To ensure our environmental grantmaking is more inclusive, balanced and equitable, the Foundation will seek to target more organizations that center communities that are most directly impacted by environmental injustices. This will include allocating a portion of funding to these types of organizations.

We will work to build trusting relationships particularly with Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) led and centered organizations, listening and engaging with communities and BIPOC-led organizations, and shifting power and resources to directly impacted communities. These are organizations that have been doing the work for decades, yet philanthropy has under-funded or not funded them at all.

At the same time, we will continue supporting environmental partners that play unique and critical roles in systems change and continue seeking to center racial justice and be equitable partners with directly impacted communities. This will include funding these types of organizations. We believe that supporting these organizations, as well as supporting new grantee partners that center communities that are most directly impacted by environmental injustices, will contribute to a vibrant and aligned systemic change infrastructure by transforming power structures and sharing resources to build equitable networks, collaborations, alliances and coalitions.

As we embark in this new direction for our environmental grantmaking, we will continue to operationalize a racial equity lens in ZSR’s work, including, but not limited to, building relationships; closing access gaps to resources, power and infrastructure; modifying language; and strengthening grassroots BIPOC infrastructure. Further, while we will continue to support efforts in the Fostering a Healthy and Sustainable Environment priority area, our new direction includes greater focus on:

• Organizations and networks strengthening the ability of directly impacted communities to shape the decisions and systems that affect their lives.
• Funding Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) led and centered organizations.
• Funding organizations already working at the intersection of issues, including climate, environmental and energy justice, and democracy issues. (We define “democracy” here as strengthening the ability of people to shape the systems that affect their lives).
• Supporting ground-up, decentralized, and interconnected networks.
• Strengthening the capacity of organizations and networks.
• Supporting work that promotes shifting control of energy, land and labor to communities, such as increasing community-owned energy and green economic development, and community control, ownership and stewardship of land.

Promoting Social and Economic Justice

Consistent with the Foundation’s mission and core values, the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation believes it is critical to help change systems and structures that have often made it harder for populations who have been historically marginalized, subjected to discrimination, or excluded from full participation in society to thrive. Structural oppression is pervasive across all kinds of systems, sometimes in ways that are explicit and overt, but more often in ways that are implicit and less conscious. The Foundation also recognizes that North Carolinians are impacted by multiple intersecting systems simultaneously, not just one system or issue at a time. 

Consequently, the Foundation anticipates supporting efforts that aim to remove structural barriers to North Carolinians being able to create a better life for themselves and their families. While this work can take many forms, the Foundation is especially interested in work that seeks to:

• address the economic impacts and racial disparities of the criminal justice system;
• embrace and expand the contributions of and opportunities for immigrants;
• advance reproductive justice*; and
• ensure that all North Carolinians have the chance to achieve economic self-sufficiency.

The Foundation will consider applications for other social and economic justice work, as well, but special emphasis will be placed on the above-mentioned areas and their intersections. 

Through this grantmaking strategy, the Foundation funds work that is focused on state-level systemic change. 

Strengthening Democracy

Consistent with the Foundation’s mission and core values, the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation believes the quality of life of the people of North Carolina depends, in large part, on an informed and involved populace that is able to exercise its individual rights and come together for a common purpose. The Foundation aims to strengthen democracy by ensuring that public institutions and processes are effective, transparent, accountable, accessible and inclusive. The Foundation is especially interested in removing barriers that prevent civic participation among populations who have been historically marginalized, subjected to discrimination, or excluded from full participation in society. Furthermore, the Foundation recognizes that our government institutions only work well if people have enough credible information on which to base decisions, know how to make their voices heard, and if there are diverse leaders willing to serve the public good. 

Consequently, the Foundation supports efforts that:

• inform the populace about government policies, practices and issues;
• improve the public’s ability to analyze media;
• protect and promote just and fair elections;
• strengthen voters’ rights and increase participation in government; and
• reduce barriers that limit historically marginalized citizens from serving in office or other public decision-making bodies. 

Through this grantmaking strategy, the Foundation funds work that is focused on state-level systemic change. 

Fall Grant Cycle

Grants made in the Fall are primarily for multi-year, general operating support grants. While there will be exceptions, the standard term for these grants will be three years. Any eligible organization working on state-level systemic change work that is aligned with ZSR’s core values and vision may apply for a grant in the Fall grant cycle.