To champion rural North Carolina by investing in people, communities, and potential; guided by a vision of a North Carolina where every rural voice matters and every rural community thrives.
Rural Economic Development Center Inc. is a North Carolina funder whose largest recent awards go to CDFIs and shellfish-related rural livelihoods, including $775,000 to Institute Capital Inc for CDFI capacity building and $626,747 to Array Community Development Corporation for a shellfish growers program grant. That mix points to a practical strategy: strengthen intermediaries that finance rural enterprises, then back sector-specific implementation where rural economies need targeted support. The foundation’s grantmaking also reaches faith-based rural community work, with awards to churches and Methodist congregations through its Faith in Rural Communities line. Recent grants show both large institutional commitments and smaller community-level awards, with support directed to organizations in Durham, Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Beaufort, and beyond. Across the grant list, the recurring themes are capacity building, technical assistance, community development finance, and place-based rural programming. The foundation’s structure includes program-related investments, which aligns with a portfolio that appears designed to move capital as well as grants into rural North Carolina.
A core area of support is CDFI institutional strengthening. In 2024 and 2025, the foundation made six-figure grants to organizations such as Mountain Bizworks, Business Expansion Funding Corporation, Carolina Community Impact Inc, Carolina Small Business Development Fund, Piedmont Business Capital, and The Sequoyah Fund Inc for CDFI capacity building program grants. Another focus is aquaculture and shellfish production. Array Community Development Corporation received $626,747 in 2025 and $100,000 in 2024 for shellfish growers program grants, and Thread Capital received $250,000 in 2024 for the same area. The foundation also funds faith-based rural engagement. First Umc in Murphy received a $30,000 Faith in Rural Communities Connect implementation grant, while multiple Methodist churches received $15,000 sub-grants for local projects. Leadership development is also part of the portfolio through the Rural Economic Development Institute, a hands-on training program for current and emerging rural leaders.
The typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $231,250 at the 75th percentile, showing a spread from small church sub-grants to much larger capacity-building awards. The grant list also shows repeat relationships over time: organizations such as Partner Community Capital Inc, Mountain Bizworks, Up Community Fund LLC, Carolina Community Impact Inc, and Array Community Development Corporation appear in multiple years. That pattern suggests ongoing program support rather than isolated one-off awards. The foundation is a regular funder and also makes program-related investments, which fits a capital-plus-grants approach. Two active programs are listed: Connect Church accepts unsolicited participation, while REDI does not.
$2.5M
$309.1M
$70M
$11.6M
Most grants fall between $10K and $231K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$231K
PATRICK WOODIE
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Giving is overwhelmingly concentrated in North Carolina, with 98% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Within North Carolina, awards appear across Durham, Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Beaufort, Greensboro, Cherokee, Murphy, and several smaller towns such as Avon, Canton, Pink Hill, Roxboro, Madison, Wanchese, Statesville, Bahama, Yadkinville, Elk Park, and Leicester. The geographic pattern is local, with most grants tied to rural communities and organizations operating in the state.
The most visible recipients are community development financial institutions and rural community organizations. Recent grants include large capacity-building awards to CDFIs such as Institute Capital Inc, Mountain Bizworks, and Carolina Small Business Development Fund, plus support for churches and rural community initiatives under Faith in Rural Communities.
Three clear areas appear repeatedly: CDFI capacity building, shellfish growers support, and faith-based rural community engagement. Leadership development also appears through the Rural Economic Development Institute, which serves current and emerging rural leaders in North Carolina.
The typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $231,250 at the 75th percentile. The list ranges from small $15,000 church sub-grants to six-figure and seven-figure capacity-building and program grants.
Its giving is overwhelmingly in North Carolina: 98% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the top state by grant count is NC. The recent grant list is entirely U.S.-based.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Partner Community Capital Inc, Mountain Bizworks, Up Community Fund LLC, Carolina Community Impact Inc, and Array Community Development Corporation. That indicates ongoing program relationships rather than one-time awards.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Rural Economic Development Center that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Participating churches in North Carolina that are part of the Connect Church cohort and are eligible for grant assistance; the program is part of Faith in Rural Communities.
Deadline: Applications for the 2027 cohort of North Carolina churches will be accepted July 1 through July 31.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY SMALL BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT C | RALEIGH, NC | $1,826,647 | 2026 | SSBCI TA GRANT |
| MDC INC | DURHAM, NC | $218,412 | 2026 | CDFI CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM GRANTS |
| COOPERATIVE BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP | KNOXVILLE, TN | $95,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| BLACKBURNS CHAPEL UMC | TODD, NC | $50,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| BETHESDA UMC | FAIRMONT, NC | $30,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| CALVARY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | WILSON, NC | $30,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| FIRST UMC (FRANKLIN) | FRANKLIN, NC | $30,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| FIRST UMC (MURPHY) | MURPHY, NC | $20,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | ELIZABETH CITY, NC | $13,401 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| TRUTH AND LIFE WORSHIP CENTER | GREENSBORO, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| NEW SAINT PAUL BAPTIST CHURCH | EDEN, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| ABERNETHY MEMORIAL UMC | CONNELLY SPRINGS, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| LC GRAVES MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN | CLINTON, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| SHARON MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH | STONEVILLE, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| CENTRAL UMC | ALBEMARLE, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| CHATHAM UMC | MONCURE, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| CHADBOURN UMC | CHADBOURN, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| PLANK CHAPEL UMC | KITTRELL, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| FAIRVIEW UMC | ELON, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| ABUNDANT LIFE MIRACLE CENTER | NEW BERN, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| CARTHAGE UMC | CARTHAGE, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| BLUESTONE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH | PELHAM, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| OAK HILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | MORGANTON, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| LAUREL HILL UMC | VALE, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| PROSPECT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | EAST BEND, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| PILMOOR MEMORIAL UMC | CURRITUCK, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| ARRAY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | BEAUFORT, NC | $626,747 | 2025 | SHELLFISH GROWERS PROGRAM GRANT |
| CAROLINA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FUND | RALEIGH, NC | $400,000 | 2025 | CDFI CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM GRANTS |
| PARTNER COMMUNITY CAPITAL INC | SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV | $250,000 | 2025 | CDFI CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM GRANTS |
| MOUNTAIN BIZWORKS-CDFI | ASHEVILLE, NC | $250,000 | 2025 | CDFI CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM GRANTS |
| UP COMMUNITY FUND LLC | CHARLOTTE, NC | $225,000 | 2025 | CDFI CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM GRANTS |
| CAROLINA COMMUNITY IMPACT INC | RALEIGH, NC | $215,150 | 2025 | CDFI CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM GRANTS |
| PIEDMONT BUSINESS CAPITAL | GREENSBORO, NC | $100,000 | 2025 | CDFI CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM GRANTS |
| BEFCOR | CHARLOTTE, NC | $50,000 | 2025 | CDFI CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM GRANTS |
| THE SEQUOYAH FUND INC | CHEROKEE, NC | $47,000 | 2025 | CDFI CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM GRANTS |
| FIRST UMC | MURPHY, NC | $30,000 | 2025 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| SEASIDE UMC | SUNSET BEACH, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| MCQUEEN CHAPEL UMC SANFORD | SANFORD, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| CALVARY MEMORIAL UMC | SNOW HILL, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| FAITH & VICTORY CHRISTIAN CHURCH | ELIZABETH CITY, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| CLYDE CENTRAL UMC | CLYDE, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| HATTERAS UMC | HATTERAS, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| FAIRVIEW UMC | ELON, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| THE LATTER HOUSE MINISTRIES | RIEGELWOOD, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| SHARON UMC | POPLAR BRANCH, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| ST PETERS UMC | MOREHEAD CITY, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| GRACE UMC | ELIZABETHTOWN, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| INSTITUTE CAPITAL INC | DURHAM, NC | $775,000 | 2024 | CDFI CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM GRANTS |
| MOUNTAIN BIZWORKS | ASHEVILLE, NC | $736,000 | 2024 | CDFI CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM GRANTS |
| PARTNER COMMUNITY CAPITAL INC | SHEPHERDSTOWN, NC | $725,000 | 2024 | CDFI CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM GRANTS |
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY SMALL BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT C
$1,826,647SSBCI TA GRANT
MDC INC
$218,412CDFI CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM GRANTS
COOPERATIVE BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP
$95,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
BLACKBURNS CHAPEL UMC
$50,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
BETHESDA UMC
$30,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
CALVARY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$30,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
FIRST UMC (FRANKLIN)
$30,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
FIRST UMC (MURPHY)
$20,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$13,401FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
TRUTH AND LIFE WORSHIP CENTER
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
NEW SAINT PAUL BAPTIST CHURCH
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
ABERNETHY MEMORIAL UMC
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
LC GRAVES MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
SHARON MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
CENTRAL UMC
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
CHATHAM UMC
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
CHADBOURN UMC
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
PLANK CHAPEL UMC
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
FAIRVIEW UMC
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
ABUNDANT LIFE MIRACLE CENTER
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
CARTHAGE UMC
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
BLUESTONE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
OAK HILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
LAUREL HILL UMC
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
PROSPECT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
PILMOOR MEMORIAL UMC
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
ARRAY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$626,747SHELLFISH GROWERS PROGRAM GRANT
CDFI CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM GRANTS
MOUNTAIN BIZWORKS-CDFI
$250,000CDFI CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM GRANTS
UP COMMUNITY FUND LLC
$225,000CDFI CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM GRANTS
CAROLINA COMMUNITY IMPACT INC
$215,150CDFI CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM GRANTS
PIEDMONT BUSINESS CAPITAL
$100,000CDFI CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM GRANTS
BEFCOR
$50,000CDFI CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM GRANTS
THE SEQUOYAH FUND INC
$47,000CDFI CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM GRANTS
FIRST UMC
$30,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
SEASIDE UMC
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
MCQUEEN CHAPEL UMC SANFORD
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
CALVARY MEMORIAL UMC
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
FAITH & VICTORY CHRISTIAN CHURCH
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
CLYDE CENTRAL UMC
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
HATTERAS UMC
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
FAIRVIEW UMC
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
THE LATTER HOUSE MINISTRIES
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
SHARON UMC
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
ST PETERS UMC
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
GRACE UMC
$10,000FAITH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES CONNECT IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
INSTITUTE CAPITAL INC
$775,000CDFI CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM GRANTS