Best Grants for K-12 Schools in North Carolina

K-12 school districts and education-focused nonprofits in North Carolina can seek funding for traffic safety, driver education, and financial literacy initiatives serving students. Focused on education, Auto Club Group Foundation invites eligible organizations within its 14-state footprint to apply for US $5,000 - US $15,000 to support programs, scholarships, and related needs.

North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting children, K-12 education, and health and human services can seek monetary program funding that serves communities where Costco operates. Focused on child- and family-centered services, the Costco Foundation invites eligible organizations to apply for grants that demonstrate clear community need, measurable outcomes, collaboration, and a broad base of financial support.

The Creag Foundation, established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington, provides funding to innovative 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations addressing social issues. Focused on smaller organizations, the foundation seeks to support those with unique approaches to improve the human condition. Eligible applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for at least one year and present a new or previously unaddressed solution to societal challenges. Applications are by invitation only, encouraging creativity and passion in charitable work.

The DanPaul Foundation aims to enhance early childhood development by training teachers and parents, protecting children from abuse, and promoting social responsibility. They provide grants to non-profits for programs that focus on education, health, and welfare of youth. Key initiatives include scholarships, environmental education, and support for underprivileged children. Grant amounts range from a few hundred dollars to $15,000 annually, with a focus on impactful, community-driven projects.

With a mission to support scalable social impact, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation provides North Carolina education-focused organizations with up to US $300,000 over three years in unrestricted funding or investment capital plus intensive capacity-building support. Early-stage, impact-first nonprofits and mission-driven for-profits serving underserved communities and ready to scale may be competitive applicants.

K-12 school districts and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in North Carolina can apply for Duke Energy Foundation’s Local Impact Grants; awards up to US $20,000 for education, workforce development, climate resiliency, and inclusion projects. Programs may include STEM and energy education, environmental projects, disaster preparedness, and initiatives expanding opportunity for underserved students and communities.

Nonprofit and NGO education programs using technology to serve mostly economically underserved communities in North Carolina can access funding through Cisco Systems Foundation, with awards up to US $100,000. Grants support innovative, tech-enabled solutions in areas like K–12 educational access and equity, STEM education, and life skills training, with applications accepted year-round via LOI.

North Carolina K-12 schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits can receive up to US $15,000 to build on-campus outdoor learning structures such as classrooms, greenhouses, and educational gardens. North Carolina education organizations can access funding through the North Carolina Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission to expand outdoor education and recreation opportunities, with priority for underserved youth aged 4–18.

North Carolina K-12 schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits can receive up to US $2,500 for outdoor on-campus visiting programs that provide hands-on environmental and outdoor education for youth. With a mission to expand outdoor learning, the North Carolina Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission supports programs such as visits from aquariums, zoos, museums, gardening, and STEM organizations.

North Carolina K-12 schools and education organizations can access funding through the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation to support or scale projects improving outcomes for urban children in poverty. Eligible applicants must request more than US $50,000 for education-focused work and meet location, mission alignment, and organizational type criteria, including having a U.S. Federal Taxpayer Identification Number.

The PNC Foundation aims to enhance the lives of individuals in local communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Their focus includes promoting educational opportunities, particularly for early childhood education, and supporting economic development initiatives. Grants are available for organizations that benefit low- to moderate-income families and enhance community growth. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster sustainability and diversity, ensuring a lasting impact on the communities they serve.

Roche Corporate Donations and Philanthropy (CDP) focuses on impactful projects that foster sustainable development, engage employees, and leverage Roche's expertise. Their philanthropic efforts prioritize humanitarian, educational, environmental, and cultural initiatives, aiming to build stronger communities and support innovative projects. Eligibility is limited to local organizations, while ineligible projects include those with political or religious ties. The foundation strives to create a positive societal impact through collaboration and strategic partnerships.

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust Grant supports charitable, scientific, medical, and educational organizations that are 501(c)(3) certified. This private funder emphasizes impactful service to diverse populations without discrimination. Grants must be utilized within the United States and cannot be awarded to individuals, political candidates, or lobbying efforts. The Trust is dedicated to enhancing the general welfare through soundly-managed initiatives that contribute significantly to community needs.

The Bank of America Foundation Sponsorship Program aims to enhance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. This initiative focuses on critical areas such as workforce education, basic needs like food and housing, and community development. The Foundation invested $350 million last year and encourages employee volunteerism and giving, supporting nonprofits in various sectors, including arts, culture, and diversity initiatives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving K-12 students and school success, health, or basic human needs in eastern North Carolina can apply for competitive grants of US $25,000 - US $50,000. Grants from North Carolina Community Foundation’s Louise Oriole Burevitch Endowment support education, health, and human services, with preferences for women, youth, the elderly, and southeastern North Carolina communities.

With a mission to strengthen human services and education, The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina provides North Carolina K-12 and education-focused 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities with up to US $25,000 for programs in Western North Carolina. Eligible projects serve economically disadvantaged residents or advance early childhood, K-12, or adult education in listed mountain counties.

Nonprofit organizations, schools, and agencies supporting K–12 students’ unfinished academic learning in Chatham, Durham, Orange, or Wake counties can apply for Triangle Community Foundation’s Send A Kid To Camp grants. With a mission to build a stronger Triangle, the foundation provides North Carolina K–12 education programs with US $20,000 over two years for summer and school-year academic support.

The Robinson Foundation Grant, established in 2016, aims to alleviate hardships faced by individuals and communities, demonstrating God's love through charitable contributions. As a family-operated foundation, it focuses on creating meaningful, long-term impacts in various areas including animal welfare, education, and disaster relief. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) public charities. The foundation prioritizes fiscally responsible projects with the potential for tangible results, while not supporting capital projects.

North Carolina K-12 schools and education-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits can seek community service grants or event sponsorships to support their programs and fundraising efforts. Insperity provides funding to organizations that engage its employees, are Insperity clients, or serve communities where its employees live and work, with applications reviewed once per year.

The TJX Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations located within 15 miles of a TJX store that align with their community mission. Eligible areas include basic needs, education for at-risk youth, workforce training, and safety from domestic violence. Organizations must be a registered 501(c)(3) for at least 12 months and have a nondiscrimination policy. Applications are invited through a Letter of Inquiry, with funding decisions based on community impact.

The Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2000, dedicated to granting funds for environmental and human services causes. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public schools, with grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. The foundation supports unrestricted grants for various projects, including disaster relief and environmental programs, but does not fund individuals or for-profit entities. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the foundation's priorities.

North Carolina K-12 education organizations with 501(c)(3) status can access funding through the Dr Scholl Foundation to support projects in education and related community services, with awards of US $5,000 - US $25,000. Eligible nonprofits may also incorporate social service, health care, civic, cultural, or environmental components into their school-focused programs.

Higher education institutions and student development programs in the Carolinas, especially North Carolina’s Triangle, can apply for John William Pope Foundation grants of up to US $212,000 to support intellectually diverse, freedom-focused learning. K-12 schools or related organizations in North Carolina with initiatives that connect students to higher education or student development may be eligible.

With a mission to strengthen communities and regional economies, North Carolina Department of Commerce provides North Carolina K-12 schools, local governments, colleges, tribes, and nonprofits with Appalachian Regional Commission funding. Eligible projects in designated western counties may receive up to US $1,000,000 for infrastructure, workforce development, business support, tourism, or community capacity-building initiatives, including efforts responding to Hurricane Helene.

Nonprofit organizations in North Carolina offering hands-on, inquiry-based STEM programs for K-12 students can apply for Burroughs Wellcome Fund’s Student STEM Enrichment Program, with awards up to US $180,000 over three years. Grants from Burroughs Wellcome Fund help North Carolina K-12 education programs provide structured, out-of-school STEM enrichment, especially for underserved and rural students.

Nonprofit organizations in North Carolina with strong, replicable community partnerships can apply for Mutual of America Foundation's national Community Partnership Award, which honors collaborations addressing significant social issues. K-12 education initiatives that showcase exemplary cross-sector partnerships and measurable community impact may be especially competitive among U.S. applicants.

North Carolina 501(c)(3) organizations, colleges, universities, religious entities, and government units can access funding for state-level systemic change efforts through the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, with awards from US $30,000 - US $100,000. K-12 education-focused groups working on public education policy and systems, not direct school services, may be eligible under its public education priority area.