Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in North Carolina

Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) and 509(a) organizations can receive US $2,000 - US $10,000 to support general operations, projects, or occasional capital needs in education, human services, health, conservation, and culture. McGraw Foundation provides North Carolina nonprofits with funding that may benefit groups whose work aligns with these broad program areas.

Graduate students conducting research on drinking water quality, environmental science, or public health can receive scholarship funding that may complement work with North Carolina nonprofits. Focused on advancing solutions to current water industry challenges, American Water Works Association’s Dr. Philip C. Singer Scholarship provides US $3,000 for impactful, actionable graduate research projects.

North Carolina community-based nonprofits with rural, community-driven projects can seek US $8,000 - US $12,000 to build local wealth, protect natural resources, and strengthen resilience. Legacy Philanthropy Works’ Creating New Economies Fund backs efforts like sustainable agriculture, youth leadership, eco-tourism, and health and nutrition, pairing small grants with training and capacity-building support.

North Carolina agricultural and forest producers seeking support to enhance conservation on working lands can access funding through USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. CSP provides five-year contracts with annual payments to maintain and improve practices that boost soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience across entire operations, including farms, ranches, and nonindustrial private forest land.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in North Carolina’s Chatham, Durham, Orange, or Wake counties can apply for GlaxoSmithKline’s GSK IMPACT Awards, offering US $50,000 for operating and program support that improves community health. Eligible groups have $100,000–$5 million in annual revenue and address factors like housing, education, environment, income, or safety.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in North Carolina working on economic and workforce advancement, affordable housing, or community arts and culture may be eligible for operating and program support. Grants from US Bancorp Foundation help groups that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, especially those led by people of color, and that address multiple “work, home, and play” priorities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charities with at least $500,000 in private contributed revenue operating in North Carolina can seek operating and program support for education, healthcare, human services, and Jewish values work. With a mission to foster self-sufficiency and lasting change, Leon Levine Foundation provides funding to organizations benefiting Carolinians.

With a mission to support environmental sustainability, American Honda Motor provides North Carolina nonprofits and schools with programmatic funding for decarbonization, clean energy, and efficient use of natural resources. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and public or private schools in Honda communities can request US $25,000 - US $100,000 for education, awareness, and infrastructure projects.

Agricultural producers and non-industrial private forest landowners in North Carolina can receive financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices on working lands. Grants from USDA: Natural Resources Conservation Service of North Carolina help address livestock, water, wildlife, soil, air quality, and sustainable agriculture concerns through EQIP contracts and conservation activity plans.

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

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public education institutions, and government entities in North Carolina counties where Weyerhaeuser operates can seek operating and program support for community-focused initiatives. Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund backs projects in areas like affordable housing, education and youth development, environmental stewardship, human services, civic and cultural growth, workforce development, and diversity, equity and inclusion, with awards of more than US $1,000.

Nonprofit organizations in North Carolina supporting women, children, and families through humanitarian aid, education, homelessness services, or job readiness can apply for up to US $750,000 to expand or replicate effective programs. The Father's Table Foundation prioritizes projects that build long-term self-sufficiency, with occasional support for urgent needs tied to sustainable solutions.

North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public charities, universities, and qualifying religious organizations can access funding and in-kind support through Caesars Foundation for community-focused operating and program needs. Priority areas include social equity and education, climate change and food security, and responsible play and mental health, which may benefit organizations providing ongoing human and social services.

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 and health-related research can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to support small-scale research projects and enhance their research environment. Eligible colleges and universities must award baccalaureate science degrees and have limited prior NIH support; awards are up to US $375,000.

North Carolina nonprofits planning innovative arts or human services projects can apply for the Joy W. Pope Memorial Grant Funds, with awards from US $20,000 - US $100,000 for project-specific work. With a mission to foster innovation, John William Pope Foundation supports capital improvements, program development, equipment, technology, and similar time-bound initiatives rather than general operating support.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in North Carolina can seek funding to advance education, environmental conservation, and healthy, vibrant communities through programs operating where Cleveland-Cliffs has facilities. Grants from Cleveland Cliffs Foundation help support initiatives like STEM education, workforce readiness, land and water restoration, community health, and services for underserved populations.

Early-career research scientists at academic or research institutions in eligible low- and middle-income countries can apply for the Emerging Global Leader Award to support mentored clinical research careers. Grants from the National Institutes of Health help North Carolina-based partners collaborating with LMIC investigators advance work in cancer, cardiovascular, mental health, environmental health, genetics, and related biomedical fields.

Early-career health researchers in low- or middle-income countries proposing mentored research projects can apply for the Emerging Global Leader Award, with approximately US $140,000 to support career development. Administered by the National Institutes of Health, this award backs three- to five-year research and training plans that may collaborate with U.S. partners, including North Carolina institutions.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations offering educational, youth, arts, community, or related programs in North Carolina and other regions can apply for grants of US $5,000 - US $20,000 to support new or enhanced initiatives. Focused on education, John Ben Snow Memorial Trust prioritizes programs serving youth and economically, emotionally, or physically disadvantaged people.

North Carolina organizations planning health-related congresses, events, or initiatives can seek funding for activities that offer reasonable, clearly defined marketing or recognition benefits. Biogen Foundation provides sponsorships across areas like neurology, dementia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and related conditions, with decisions based on funding availability, topic alignment, event details, and 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.