Best Yadkin County Grants for Nonprofits in North Carolina

The Jean Griswold Foundation

The Jean Griswold Foundation (JGF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Caregivers through educational opportunities and scholarships. 

Our Mission

The mission of the Jean Griswold Foundation is to support Caregivers by providing educational scholarships* to enable them to further their training, enhance their careers, and better assist the clients they serve.

By offering educational scholarships*, our Foundation will not only make a positive impact on the Caregivers themselves, but also the clients they assist and the home healthcare agencies where they are employed, as well as help advance the overarching home-care industry.

Scholarships will be paid directly to the federally accredited educational institutions of the winning Scholars’ choosing.

Empowering Caregivers Through Education

The Jean Griswold Foundation Scholarship Program awards scholarships to deserving Caregivers who wish to further their education in a care-related field. Applicants do not have to be associated with Griswold in any way, and the funds will be paid directly to the institution where the caregiver will be receiving education.  

Our Winter 2026 Scholarship Application period is now open! Applications will be accepted until 11:59pm ET August 31, 2026. Join our email list to get the first notice of all Scholarship happenings.  

Where would we be without Caregivers? 

Their selflessness is astounding, yet they are often overlooked and underappreciated. 

The Jean Griswold Foundation is dedicated to supporting Caregivers, the backbone of the care industry. We provide educational scholarships so Care Professionals can further their training, enhance their skills, elevate their careers, and better assist the people they serve.

The North Carolina Appalachian Regional Commission Funds support economic development across 13 states, focusing on infrastructure, workforce, and community resilience. Administered by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the program prioritizes projects that enhance local economies, particularly in areas affected by Hurricane Helene. Funding caps are set at $700,000 for construction and $300,000 for non-construction projects, with special considerations for distressed counties and workforce development initiatives.

County governments in eligible North Carolina counties, including Yadkin County, can obtain major capital funding to construct, expand, repair, or renovate K–12 public school facilities through the Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund. Grants from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction range from US $30,000,000 - US $50,000,000 and require a local match based on annually published guidelines.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental entities in Yadkin County, North Carolina can seek funding for workforce development, K–12 energy education, community revitalization, and climate resiliency projects. Focused on community vitality, Duke Energy Foundation supports programs advancing vibrant economies, environmental conservation, disaster preparedness, and opportunity and inclusion in communities it serves, with awards up to US $20,000.

Yadkin County, North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government, and religious entities can access funding to move a community-focused idea, project, or organization forward. Grants from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation range from US $20,000 - US $60,000 over one to two years and support short-term efforts that build on existing momentum in rural communities.

Individual Black Appalachian storytellers connected to Yadkin County, North Carolina, can receive US $5,000 to honor and sustain Black storytelling traditions through the CALT Black Appalachian Storytellers Fellowship. Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation supports oral tradition culture bearers with strong ties to ARC-designated Appalachian counties in Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia.

Nonprofit and public entities planning or implementing multi-state economic, workforce, community development, or tourism projects in Yadkin County, North Carolina and the broader Appalachian region can apply for Appalachian Regional Commission’s ARISE grants; awards up to US $10,000,000 support large-scale regional economic transformation through collaborative, cross-border initiatives aligned with ARC’s strategic investment priorities.

Nonprofits, public agencies, tribes, and higher education institutions in Yadkin County, North Carolina can seek support for critical infrastructure and workforce or business development projects. With a mission to strengthen Appalachian communities, Appalachian Regional Commission provides Appalachian-region organizations with funding for water and wastewater systems, broadband, transportation, entrepreneurship, worker training, and related economic development initiatives.

K–12 teachers with innovative classroom project ideas in Yadkin County, North Carolina can apply for Bright Ideas Education Grants to enhance instruction and student engagement. Focused on creative teaching in subjects like reading, science, technology, math, and the arts, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives fund projects that involve students directly and deliver measurable learning outcomes.

501(c)(3) nonprofits in Yadkin County, North Carolina focused on Central Appalachian folk and traditional arts can apply for South Arts’ In These Mountains Infrastructure Grants, which award US $30,000 for organizational infrastructure needs. Funding can cover professional development, emergency planning, minor equipment or software, travel, marketing, and strategic or operational planning.

Professional artists in any discipline in Yadkin County, North Carolina can seek project funding for artistic and career development, including creating new work, equipment, materials, travel, and professional development. North Carolina Arts Council offers US $500 - US $1,500 through regional Artist Support Grants, with projects to be completed by December 31, 2026.

Nonprofit organizations providing community and human services to residents in the Elkin Tri-County core, including parts of Yadkin County, North Carolina, can seek project funding to initiate, expand, or improve direct services. With a mission to strengthen Forsyth County and nearby communities, Winston-Salem Foundation supports one-year, board-approved projects, with preference for collaborative efforts.

Yadkin County, North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits, local government units, and eligible fire and rescue departments can seek general operating or project support for community services through the Yadkin County Legacy Fund, with awards of US $750 - US $2,000. Administered by North Carolina Community Foundation, this annual competitive program supports organizations serving Yadkin County residents.

The Women's Fund of North Carolina, a program of the North Carolina Community Foundation, aims to enhance the lives of women and girls across the state through grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000. This fund prioritizes organizations that address diverse needs and challenges faced by women, especially those led by marginalized populations. Grant decisions are made by a committee, and applicants are notified within 90 days after the application deadline.

Artists and tradition bearers in Yadkin County, North Carolina practicing folk or traditional arts can receive US $3,000 - US $7,000 for 12‑month mentor–apprentice training. Focused on folklife preservation, North Carolina Arts Council supports one-on-one apprenticeships that strengthen cultural traditions within Appalachian communities, including eligible pairs or small teams of apprentices.

Nonprofits and local partners in Yadkin County, North Carolina can seek up to US $2,500,000 to plan or implement workforce, job creation, entrepreneurial, or broadband projects in coal-impacted communities. With a mission to revitalize Appalachian economies, Appalachian Regional Commission provides competitively awarded POWER Initiative grants for efforts tied to regional economic development plans.

Students pursuing higher education who are members of Members Credit Union and live in areas including Yadkin County, North Carolina can apply for scholarship support from Carolinas Credit Union Foundation. Focused on college and career preparation, this program supports full-time enrollment at accredited colleges or universities for qualified credit union members.

Nonprofits and public agencies serving Yadkin County, North Carolina can receive up to US $12,000 for community programs, including animal welfare, arts and culture, health, basic needs, and workforce development. With a mission to strengthen local communities, Shallow Ford Foundation supports 501(c)(3) and governmental organizations with at least three years of effective, sustainable service.

The Division of Community Revitalization (DCR) was established by Governor Josh Stein’s Executive Order No. 3, to oversee the rebuilding of homes destroyed or damaged by Hurricane Helene and to coordinate and lead efforts to revitalize the economy of western North Carolina.

Commercial District Revitalization Program

The Renew NC Commercial District Revitalization Program is for eligible local governments and nonprofit organizations to revitalize designated commercial districts damaged by Hurricane Helene. Encouraging economic opportunities, while supporting the recovery of commercial areas, is essential to ensuring that commercial tenants, customers, and jobs are restored. By facilitating the return of commercial districts and businesses to profitability, jobs will be created or retained within the community and residents will continue to have access to the products and services they need within their local community. Priority is initially given to projects located within HUD-identified MID areas. 

About Us

The Department connects businesses with the site locations, workforce and infrastructure they need to succeed in one of the nation's top states for business. We also connect local communities with the grants and funding they need to attract new business and ensure future prosperity.

Additionally, our executive branch agency administers the state’s economic incentives program and publishes data, statistics, information and reports for those interested in our state’s economy.

Marketing North Carolina as a business and visitor destination is another function of the Department, and to handle this work we contract services from the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC), a public-private organization established by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2014.

North Carolina Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) - Demolition Program

Local governments can apply for funding to support demolition projects that result in industrial or commercial sites, using grant funds under the Community Development Block Grant program's Economic Development (ED) category.

Our department holds administrative responsibility for the CDBG program in North Carolina. Our Rural Economic Development Division (REDD) administers the CDBG-ED funds. State rules related to the CDBG program can be found in the North Carolina Administrative Code 4 NCAC 19L and specific ED rules are found at 4 NCAC 1K. Federal funds are made available annually through the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Purpose

Under the authority of Title I of the U. S. Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (as amended), the CDBG demolition program in North Carolina is designed to demolish vacant dilapidated industrial buildings and properties under the elimination of slums and blight national objective. The demolition activity is expected to create a site at which it can reasonably be expected new jobs and private sector investment will locate. Since the demolition activity is qualified under the slums and blight national objective, new job creation with a private employer does not require a legally binding contract. Jobs creation during the demolition phase of the grant should be collected for CDBG reporting purposes.

The Winston-Salem Foundation Scholars program has been empowering local students since 1923 by providing access to over 150 scholarship funds, totaling $1.67 million this academic year. Scholarships are available for a variety of criteria, ensuring that students from Forsyth and surrounding counties can pursue their educational dreams regardless of GPA or school attended. The One-Stop Scholarship Application opens on January 1 and closes on March 15, with funding decisions announced by late May.

The Duke Energy Foundation provides Local Impact Grants to strengthen communities in North Carolina, offering up to $20,000 for various initiatives. These include workforce development, climate resiliency projects, and promoting inclusivity. Eligible organizations must have 501(c)(3) status, serve Duke Energy communities, and demonstrate measurable impacts. The Foundation prioritizes grants that support economic recovery, environmental conservation, and equitable access to opportunities, thus fostering sustainable growth and resilience across the state.

501(c)(3) nonprofits in Yadkin County, North Carolina at high risk of terrorist or extremist attack can seek up to US $200,000 for physical security upgrades and preparedness activities. Focused on target hardening, the Nonprofit Security Grant Program supports measures like security planning, equipment, training, and exercises, administered in-state by North Carolina Emergency Management.

Spectrum Digital Education Grants support nonprofit organizations in educating communities about broadband benefits and usage. These grants aim to bridge the digital divide, particularly for seniors and those with disabilities or ethnically diverse backgrounds. Applicants must demonstrate community partnership, address specific needs, and provide measurable impact metrics. With a focus on financial feasibility and meaningful outcomes, this initiative ensures that underrepresented urban and rural communities gain access to essential digital resources, fostering long-term improvement in their lives.

The L.B. Research and Education Foundation Grant Program supports U.S.-based nonprofits focusing on innovative education and health solutions for underserved populations. Eligible organizations can apply by submitting a 400-word concept paper, and selected applicants may receive funding ranging from $10,000 to $75,000. The Foundation prioritizes projects that foster critical thinking and creativity, address health disparities, and encourage collaboration. There are no application deadlines, promoting year-round engagement.

Small 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Yadkin County, North Carolina can access capacity-building and program support funding through Truliant Federal Credit Union’s Truliant Foundation, with awards up to US $2,500. Eligible groups have budgets under $500,000 and work in areas like social mobility, financial wellness, or workforce education in Truliant member communities.

The Educational Foundation of America (EFA) supports the Reproductive Health & Justice Grant Program to enhance access to abortion and contraception throughout the U.S., particularly in Appalachia, Alabama, and Florida. EFA funds innovative organizations that advocate for reproductive rights, provide direct support to abortion services, and leverage impact investing strategies. This commitment aims to ensure reproductive freedom, foster equity, and promote sustainability in underserved communities.