Best Small Grants for Nonprofits in North Carolina

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1)/(2) organizations offering education, human services, conservation, health, or cultural programs can receive US $2,000 - US $10,000 for general operating, projects, or occasional capital needs. McGraw Foundation provides small grants nationally; North Carolina nonprofits may be eligible if they fit the foundation’s priorities.

Graduate students conducting research in drinking water quality, environmental science, or public health can receive US $3,000 to advance projects with actionable outcomes for the water industry. Focused on water-related environmental and public health research, American Water Works Association invites applicants whose work may ultimately benefit communities and nonprofits in North Carolina and beyond.

Nonprofit and community-based organizations in North Carolina can seek funding for community-driven projects that build local wealth, protect natural resources, and strengthen rural resilience. Legacy Philanthropy Works supports small grants of US $8,000 - US $12,000 for efforts like sustainable agriculture, youth leadership, health and nutrition, eco-tourism, and related triple-bottom-line initiatives.

North Carolina agricultural and forest producers seeking support to enhance conservation on working lands can access funding through USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to improve soil, water, and wildlife habitat. Eligible applicants include individuals, entities, joint operations, and Tribes managing qualifying lands, with five-year contracts providing annual payments to maintain and expand conservation practices and stewardship levels.

Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits in North Carolina’s Chatham, Durham, Orange, or Wake counties can apply for GlaxoSmithKline’s GSK IMPACT Awards, offering US $50,000 for exemplary community health work. Organizations with $100,000–$5 million in revenue that improve local health determinants and address racial equity may be invited to submit full applications.

Nonprofit organizations in North Carolina working on economic and workforce advancement, safe and affordable housing, or community arts and culture may be eligible for this program. Grants from US Bancorp Foundation support 501(c)(3) partners, with priority for organizations led by people of color and those addressing multiple Work, Home, and Play pillars.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charities with at least $500,000 in contributed revenue that operate in North Carolina can seek funding for education, healthcare, human services, and Jewish values programs. With a mission to create pathways to self-sufficiency, Leon Levine Foundation provides Carolinas nonprofits with support for strong, sustainable community initiatives that may include smaller projects.

With a mission to support community-focused environmental programs, American Honda Motor provides North Carolina nonprofits and schools with funding for decarbonization, clean energy, and efficient use of natural resources. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and school districts in Honda communities can request US $25,000 - US $100,000 for education, awareness, and infrastructure projects under the Environment Pillar Award.

Agricultural producers and non-industrial private forest landowners in North Carolina can receive funding and technical help to implement conservation practices on working lands. Grants from USDA: Natural Resources Conservation Service of North Carolina support activities like conservation planning, livestock and wildlife habitat improvements, source water protection, and assistance for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

North Carolina 501(c)(3) organizations, colleges, universities, religious entities, and government units can access funding for state-level systemic change work through Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, with awards from US $30,000 - US $100,000. Multi-year, general operating support in the Fall cycle can advance education, environment, social and economic justice, and democracy for marginalized communities.

Nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities serving Weyerhaeuser communities in North Carolina can seek funding for local programs in areas like affordable housing, youth development, environmental stewardship, and human services. Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund awards more than US $1,000, with applications accepted year-round and local employee advisory committees helping set community priorities.

Nonprofit organizations supporting women and children through self-sufficiency, education, humanitarian aid, or related services in North Carolina can apply for funding from Father's Table Foundation. This highly selective grant, up to US $750,000, may support programs in homelessness, food security, job readiness, microfinance, child welfare, health care, and disaster relief.

North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public charities, and educational institutions can access funding and in-kind support for community programs through The Caesars Foundation. Grants may benefit work in social equity and education, climate change and food security, or responsible play and mental health in counties where Caesars operates properties.

North Carolina Sea Grant

Under executive director Susan White, North Carolina Sea Grant works with local, state, and national policymakers and scientists to co-produce critical projects in four focus areas: healthy coastal ecosystems, resilient communities and economies, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, and environmental literacy and workforce development. 

With significant returns on investment for coastal North Carolina, we forge partnerships and support research, education, and outreach. Funding opportunities include grants for established scientists and specialists, fellowships to develop the next generation of researchers and policymakers, and special collaborations that fuse community and academic expertise.

North Carolina Team Competition for Resilience Research

This funding opportunity, supported by North Carolina Sea Grant, provides awards to teams of North Carolina-based graduate and undergraduate students led by a PhD student. Winning teams will conduct hypothesis-based research projects that contribute to more resilient habitats and communities across North Carolina.

Research Focus Areas

Proposals must address at least one core aspect of resilience in North Carolina:

• Ecosystem Resilience
• Community Resilience
• Economic Resilience

Undergraduate-focused higher education institutions in North Carolina conducting biomedical research can apply for NIH Academic Research Enhancement Awards to support small-scale projects and student research experiences. US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health offers up to US $375,000 to institutions with limited prior NIH funding to strengthen their research environment.

North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits with innovative arts or human services projects can seek US $20,000 - US $100,000 to fund capital improvements, programs, equipment, or technology. With a mission to foster innovation, John William Pope Foundation supports project-specific work that delivers measurable benefits for organizations and the communities they serve within the granting year.

Grants from Cleveland Cliffs Foundation help North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits fund education, environmental, and community health initiatives. Eligible projects must be carried out in communities where Cleveland-Cliffs operates and can include STEM education, land and water restoration, green spaces, healthy living, and services for underserved or minority populations.

Early-career medical and health researchers at low- or middle-income country universities can apply for the Emerging Global Leader Award to secure multi-year protected research time and support, including clinical trials. Grants from the National Institutes of Health help North Carolina-based nonprofits partnering with LMIC institutions support investigators in fields like cancer, cardiovascular disease, mental health, and environmental health.

Early-career research scientists at academic or research institutions in eligible low- or middle-income countries can apply for the Emerging Global Leader Award from the National Institutes of Health; awards approximately US $140,000 for mentored career development and health-related research projects. North Carolina-based partners collaborating with LMIC investigators may be involved through U.S. mentorship roles.

Education-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits in North Carolina can seek US $5,000 - US $20,000 for scholarships, tutoring, literacy, journalism, and related academic support. Focused on education and youth, John Ben Snow Memorial Trust also considers arts education, community initiatives, youth programs, and select environmental, disability access, and historic preservation projects across its U.S. priority regions.

North Carolina nonprofits and institutions hosting medical or scientific congresses, events, or initiatives can seek corporate sponsorships that provide Biogen with reasonable marketing or recognition benefits. Biogen Foundation considers requests across areas like neurology, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and related diseases, with decisions based on topic alignment, event details, and geographic location.

The NC Biotechnology Center Fund Event and Meeting Grant provides vital financial support for events and meetings that enhance networking and information sharing within North Carolina's life sciences community. The grants include up to $3,000 for Biotechnology Event Sponsorships and up to $10,000 for Biotechnology Meeting Grants, catering to both local and international gatherings. This initiative aims to foster innovation and collaboration among researchers and companies, ultimately driving growth in the biotechnology sector.

The University Technology Development Funding: Innovation Impact Grant from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center supports the acquisition of shared use research equipment for core facilities at academic and nonprofit institutions. This funding aims to enhance the life sciences ecosystem in North Carolina by facilitating significant scientific advancements. Proposals with a strong impact on both the institution and the broader research community will be prioritized. A cash match is required, with funding requests up to $150,000.

About Regions

Regions Financial Corporation is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation's largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas.

Regions Foundation

Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact the communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank.

Matching Gifts Program

Full-time associates and recent retirees (up to 5 years after retirement) of Regions and its affiliated companies can request a Regions Matching Gift to eligible organizations. The recipient organization must be a 501(c) or 170(c) organization located in the Regions footprint (except for accredited educational institutions, which may be located anywhere in the United States) and has a primary mission that clearly fits one of these categories:

• Economic and community development: Supporting economic prosperity through affordable housing, job creation, small-business development, homebuyer education and retention, neighborhood revitalization and stabilization, food security/hunger relief.
• Education and workforce readiness: Supporting career prosperity through student competency and skill building, college and career readiness, educational access and success, credential building and employment and educator training and resources.
• Financial wellness: Supporting financial prosperity through K-12 and college financial education, adult and workforce financial empowerment.
• Arts and culture: Organizations that promote visual or performing arts, historic or science museums, zoos, botanical gardens, libraries, parks or public radio and television.
• Service members and Veterans: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting U.S. military service members and veterans.
• Individuals with disabilities: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting individuals with disabilities.

Regions Matching Gifts for Recent Retirees

Retirees of Regions and its affiliated companies are eligible for the Matching Gift Program for up to 5 years after retirement (the gift date must be within the first 5 years of retirement). Regions will match donations of $25 or more, up to a total of $1,000 per year per retiree.

The Regions Community Affairs team will contact the organization on your behalf to verify the gift and review eligibility.

About Regions

Regions Financial Corporation is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation's largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas.

Regions Foundation

Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact the communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank.

Matching Gifts Program

Full-time associates and recent retirees (up to 5 years after retirement) of Regions and its affiliated companies can request a Regions Matching Gift to eligible organizations. The recipient organization must be a 501(c) or 170(c) organization located in the Regions footprint (except for accredited educational institutions, which may be located anywhere in the United States) and has a primary mission that clearly fits one of these categories:

• Economic and community development: Supporting economic prosperity through affordable housing, job creation, small-business development, homebuyer education and retention, neighborhood revitalization and stabilization, food security/hunger relief.
• Education and workforce readiness: Supporting career prosperity through student competency and skill building, college and career readiness, educational access and success, credential building and employment and educator training and resources.
• Financial wellness: Supporting financial prosperity through K-12 and college financial education, adult and workforce financial empowerment.
• Arts and culture: Organizations that promote visual or performing arts, historic or science museums, zoos, botanical gardens, libraries, parks or public radio and television.
• Service members and Veterans: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting U.S. military service members and veterans.
• Individuals with disabilities: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting individuals with disabilities.

Regions Matching Gifts for Full-Time Associates

Regions supports organizations important to our associates through the Regions Matching Gifts Program. This program, which is open for use for all full-time Regions associates, affiliate associates and recent retirees, allows you to make an even greater difference to your favorite charities by doubling your tax-deductible contributions to these organizations. 

The Cabarrus County Community Foundation Grant Cycle aims to enhance local initiatives through competitive grantmaking. The Foundation prioritizes projects that address community needs in areas such as Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Health, and Housing. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and educational institutions serving Cabarrus County residents. Note that applications for specific food-related programs will not be accepted this year, as the focus is on sustainable food options and nutrition.

The Clif Family Foundation Open Call invites 501(c)(3) organizations to apply for grants supporting general operating costs or specific projects. With a focus on regenerative farming, food worker health, climate justice, and food access, the foundation aims to empower grassroots initiatives. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, with applications reviewed twice a year. Deadlines are March 1 and August 1, and announcements occur about four months post-deadline.