Best Youth Sports Grants in North Carolina

The Open Grants Program by the Golden LEAF Foundation offers funding to governmental entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in North Carolina. Grants up to $500,000 support projects focused on economic development, particularly in tobacco-dependent and rural communities. Priority areas include job creation, agriculture, workforce preparedness, and enhancing community capacity. This program aims to strengthen the economy by investing in infrastructure, training, and innovative agricultural practices, fostering sustainable growth and partnerships.

The California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant aims to support public middle and high school sports programs facing funding challenges due to budget cuts. Established by California Casualty, this grant provides financial assistance for purchasing equipment and covering travel costs for competitions. Eligible applicants must be active employees of public schools and members of affiliated education associations. Awards cannot be used for individual student recognition or fundraising projects.

The Brightwork Grants: Professional Development, initiated by the North Carolina Arts Council, aims to support visual artists in their professional growth. Starting in 2026, one selected artist will receive funding for activities enhancing their development, such as workshops, portfolio documentation, and equipment purchases. Eligible applicants must reside in specific North Carolina counties for at least one year and be 21 or older. Notably, those awarded the Brightwork Fellowship after 2022 are ineligible.

The Brightwork Grants: Special Project Grant, offered by the North Carolina Arts Council, aims to support visual artists in 2026. One artist will receive funding for studio-based projects, which may cover equipment purchases, exhibition-related expenses, and project-specific research costs. Eligible applicants must reside in designated North Carolina counties and be at least 21 years old. This initiative fosters artistic innovation and community enrichment by empowering local talent through targeted financial support.

NCHSAA Foundation: Education-Based Grant Program

The education-based grant program is coordinated through the NCHSAA Foundation, Inc. Only NCHSAA member schools are eligible to apply and must meet the established criteria. Areas of focus include student-centric initiatives/programs, coach/athletic administrator education, health, safety, & wellness initiatives, and small equipment.

The Education-based Grant Program is funded with endowment funds to ultimately support and enhance student-athletes’ physical wellness, psychosocial well-being, mental wellness, and life-skill development. 

Grant funding comes solely from interest earnings on the principal investments. Funds earmarked towards grants will vary year-to-year based on market volatility and interest returns.

Focus Areas

School administrators must identify an unmet need facing student-athletes and/or coaches and school athletic administrators that relates to one of the following focus areas:

Student-Athlete focused Program Supplementation

• Mental Wellness Initiatives
• Sportsmanship Initiatives
• Character Development
• Career Exploration and Post-Graduation Preparation

Coach & Athletic Administrator Education

• Fostering Diversity and Inclusion
• NFHS Learn or NIAAA Courses, Training, and Clinics

Health, Safety, and Wellness Initiatives

• Physical Wellness
• Social and Emotional Learning (Mental Wellness Initiative)
• Cultivating Healthy Relationships
• Health and lifesaving equipment (i.e. AED unit, Wet Bulb Globe Temperature device, cooling tub)

Equipment

• Examples are game ball, net/netting systems, goal, and scoreboard
• Weights/weight machine/cardio machine

The XENO PRIZE for Performance Arts, awarded by Franklin Furnace, supports early-career LGBTQ+-identifying performance artists creating new work in 26 states with restrictive gender-affirming laws. This annual prize, established in 2023, offers $5000 to a selected recipient from proposals submitted for the Franklin Furnace FUND for Performance Art. The deadline for submissions is April 1, 2025, encouraging innovative voices in the contemporary performance art landscape.

The Duke Endowment's Health Care Grant aims to enhance health equity in North and South Carolina. Established in 1924, it supports innovative models addressing health disparities in vulnerable populations, focusing on access to care, maternal and infant health, mental health, oral health, and workforce development. By partnering with local stakeholders, the Endowment strives to reduce barriers to care and promote healthy behaviors, ultimately improving health outcomes for marginalized communities.

The Rotary Club of Burgaw Scholarship Endowment, managed by the North Carolina Community Foundation, supports Pender County residents pursuing higher education in North Carolina. This scholarship particularly favors students attending community colleges and those from local high schools. Emphasizing financial need, it aims to foster educational opportunities for deserving individuals, ensuring they have access to the resources needed for academic success and community contribution.

What We Do

At the North Carolina Community Foundation, we bring together generous people and connect them to causes and organizations they care about.

Our mission is to inspire North Carolinians to make lasting and meaningful contributions to their communities.

Our Philanthropic Network

We believe in the power of permanent philanthropy to strengthen our communities and people. By stewarding and growing donors’ gifts, our philanthropic network makes a powerful impact through robust grants and scholarships programs.

Sharma Family Scholarship Fund

Criteria

Recipients must be a graduating high school senior from a Tier 1 county in North Carolina as defined by the State of North Carolina, or Wake, Durham, or Chatham counties in North Carolina, plan to attend North Carolina State University and pursue a degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math major.

The DeLeon Carter Foundation Grants support a wide range of charitable purposes, including religious, scientific, educational, and literary initiatives, as well as the prevention of cruelty to children and animals. This private foundation is committed to addressing the needs of the Rocky Mount and Nashville communities while maintaining flexibility in its decision-making processes. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Governor's Highway Safety Program in North Carolina provides essential funding to law enforcement agencies, local governments, and nonprofits aimed at reducing traffic accidents. It supports initiatives such as combating drunken driving, promoting seat belt use, and enhancing police traffic services. Grants are awarded on a federal fiscal year basis to improve road safety for all users, including young drivers and pedestrians. For more information, visit the GHSP grants page.

The Cannon Foundation Grants support capital and equipment projects in North Carolina, focusing on healthcare, higher education, human services, and community initiatives. Established in 1943, the foundation prioritizes established organizations and encourages collaboration with other funding sources. Grants are not available for operational expenses or start-up funding, and applicants must demonstrate a clear funding plan for ongoing operations. This foundation seeks to empower communities while avoiding dependency on funding.

The Tree Campus Higher Education Program, led by the National Arbor Day Foundation, encourages colleges to foster green spaces and community forests. By meeting five essential standards, campuses can achieve national recognition, enhancing their environmental impact and providing mental health benefits for students. Participation promotes sustainability, energy efficiency, and student involvement in environmental stewardship. This initiative not only beautifies campuses but also builds pride among students and the wider community, making it a valuable program for educational institutions.

The NCAC Project Support Grant provides financial assistance ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 for North Carolina-based nonprofit organizations. This grant is aimed at initiatives that engage communities through artistic programs, including exhibitions, festivals, and artist residencies. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a history of producing quality programs and meet specific financial criteria. The grant encourages projects that foster engagement, creativity, and cultural enrichment across diverse artistic disciplines.

The North Carolina Arts Council's Sustaining Support program offers funding between $7,500 and $65,000 to arts organizations that produce engaging programs reflecting their communities. Eligible applicants must maintain a budget of at least $75,000 and demonstrate commitment to quality arts programming. This support aids in various operational needs, including salaries and production costs, fostering the state's creative economy and ensuring diverse artistic practices.

The North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) provides matching grants up to $500,000 to local governments for the development and improvement of parks and public beach access. Since its inception in 1994, PARTF has been instrumental in enhancing community quality of life by supporting local park initiatives. Eligible applicants include counties, municipalities, and public authorities, with a focus on ensuring facilities are dedicated for public recreational use for at least 25 years.

The SPC Cares Foundation

The SPC Cares Foundation was established in 2024 as a way for SPC Credit Union to strategically support four key development issues identified within our community: Hunger, Housing, Employment, & Education. The Foundation supports our local communities through monetary donations, in-kind donation drives, and volunteerism.

General Fund Scholarships

These funds are provided by the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation. Scholarships are available to Members of any credit union in North and South Carolina. Both academic and need-based scholarships for all levels of higher education are awarded, including technical and community college scholarships.

The Community Waste Reduction and Recycling (CWRAR) Grant Program invites local governments to submit proposals for funding up to $30,000 to enhance waste reduction and recycling initiatives. This program aims to support local governments in building capacity to divert materials from waste streams and promote public awareness of recycling. Joint projects and multi-type funding requests are encouraged, with a mandatory cash match of 20% of the grant request. Proposals are now being accepted for the 2025 cycle.

What does this program do?

It provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:

• To help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
• Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.

Microenterprise Development Organizations must demonstrate experience in managing a Revolving Loan Fund, or:

• Certify that it or its employees have received education and training from a qualified microenterprise development training entity so that the applicant has the capacity to manage such a revolving loan fund.
• Demonstrate that it is actively and successfully participating as an intermediary lender in good standing under the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Program or other similar loan programs as determined by the Administrator.

 What kind of funding is available?

• Grants are available to provide technical assistance to rural micro-entrepreneurs or microenterprises, up to $205,000 annually.
  • Funding at the requested level is not guaranteed, and at least 15 percent matching funds are required.
• Loans of $50,000 to $500,000 may be used for establishing a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund managed by the Microenterprise Development Organization.
  • Total aggregate debt is capped at $2.5 million.

What are the loan terms?

• Maximum term is 20 years.
• Two-year payment deferral.
• Must establish a loan loss reserve fund.

What terms are required on loans to ultimate recipients?

• Up to $50,000.
• Fixed interest rate.
• Limited to 75 percent of project cost.

How may the funds be used?

Microlenders may make microloans for qualified business activities and expenses including, but not limited to:

• Working capital.
• Debt refinancing.
• Purchasing equipment and supplies.
• Improving real estate.

TC Energy’s Build Strong program supports vital organizations in communities near its operations. By providing grants, scholarships, and in-kind support, the program aims to enhance safety, education, environmental protection, and community well-being. Eligible applicants include non-profits and community groups addressing local needs. Ineligible activities include operational expenses and for-profit endeavors. The program prioritizes projects demonstrating measurable community impact, fostering a collaborative relationship between TC Energy and local stakeholders.

The Carolina Youth Power Fund, a project of the Carolina Youth Partnership, offers grants of $500-$1,000 to support organizing projects led by youth aged 13-25 in North Carolina. Focused on empowering underrepresented groups, including Black, Muslim, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ youth, the fund prioritizes projects that engage young people in civic issues and community organizing, fostering leadership and skills development for sustainable change.

South Arts, Inc. is offering Accessibility Grants of up to $2,500 to nonprofit organizations in the Southeast to enhance accessibility in arts programs for individuals with disabilities. The grants aim to foster inclusivity by supporting projects that engage disabled artists and audiences. Organizations must be located within the South Arts Service region and focus on the arts. Priority will be given to new applicants and those serving BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, with a commitment to rural areas.

The Watson-Brown Foundation Grant supports organizations dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the South. It offers various types of grants, including for educational programming and historic preservation, with a focus on southern studies. Eligible recipients include public charities in the southeastern United States. The Foundation's Junior Board of Trustees also awards grants to preservation projects in east central Georgia, emphasizing youth engagement in cultural heritage.

The Pentair Foundation, a corporate philanthropy initiative, focuses on creating sustainable communities through water solutions and STEM education. With over $80 million in contributions since 1998, the foundation emphasizes ecological resilience, water quality improvement, and youth engagement in science and technology. They prioritize grantmaking in specific U.S. states and international regions, fostering vibrant communities and encouraging employee volunteerism. Initiatives are invitation-only, ensuring a targeted approach to impactful philanthropy.

The Doris Betts Fiction Prize, administered by the North Carolina Writers’ Network, fosters literary talent by awarding a $250 prize and publication in the North Carolina Literary Review. Open to legal residents of North Carolina and members of the Network, it encourages previously unpublished short stories up to 6,000 words. Finalists also receive consideration for publication and monetary awards ranging from $50 to $150. This initiative highlights the importance of writing in nurturing community and civic discourse.

The NC Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Grant, offered by the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, provides financial and technical assistance to farmers and landowners for implementing conservation practices. Eligible participants can receive support for projects addressing natural resource concerns on their lands, with contracts lasting up to ten years. This program also prioritizes specific categories, including socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers, ensuring equitable access to conservation funding.