To inspire North Carolinians to make lasting and meaningful contributions to their communities.
The North Carolina Community Foundation uses local affiliate funds, giving circles, donor-advised funds, and statewide scholarship programs to direct grants across a wide range of community needs. Its recent record shows a mix of large community investments and smaller local awards, with support flowing to education, health, housing, food and nutrition, arts, environment, youth development, and disaster recovery. One of the clearest examples is a $3,180,360 grant to Dorothea Dix Park Conservancy in Raleigh, followed by a $1,630,201 grant to the same organization in 2024, showing sustained support for a major public-benefit project. The foundation also made a $500,000 grant to North Carolina Association of Free and Charitable Clinics in Charlotte, linking its grantmaking to access to care. Alongside those larger awards, NCCF administers scholarship support statewide and channels local giving through 53 affiliate foundations and community-advised funds. Its grantmaking reaches organizations, schools, churches, local governments, and students, which fits its role as a statewide community foundation rather than a single-issue funder.
Education is a clear part of the foundation’s portfolio. It gave $751,110 to Campbell University for education and $320,000 to Cape Fear Community College Foundation for education, while also using donor-established scholarships to support postsecondary access statewide. Health and human services appear in both institutional and community-based grants. Examples include $500,000 to North Carolina Association of Free and Charitable Clinics for hospitals and clinics and $333,334 to North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition for public and societal benefit. Environmental giving is also present, with $414,050 to North Carolina Coastal Federation for environment and animals and $312,097 to Triangle Land Conservancy for environmental programs. Youth-oriented support includes $316,836 to Save the Children Federation Inc Appalachian Field Office for youth development and $313,251 to Region A Partnership for Children for youth development.
Typical awards are moderate in size, with a p25 of $8,730, a median of $15,000, and a p75 of $35,500. The recent list also includes very large grants, which shows that NCCF uses both smaller local awards and major program gifts. Recipients can appear in multiple years: Dorothea Dix Park Conservancy and Save the Children Federation Inc Appalachian Field Office each received grants in both 2023 and 2024, and Se Raleigh Promise Inc appears more than once as well. The foundation is a public charity and mixed community foundation, and its active programs include application-based affiliate grantmaking and a universal scholarships application. Several programs accept unsolicited applications.
$54.8M
$459.1M
$47.9M
$39M
Most grants fall between $9K and $36K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$36K
About 89% of grants go to recipients in IL.
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Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in North Carolina, with 89% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Recent awards also show activity beyond Raleigh, including Durham, Charlotte, Wilmington, Chapel Hill, Greenville, Sylva, Newport, and Balsam. Raleigh appears frequently in the recent grants list, including support for Dorothea Dix Park Conservancy, Se Raleigh Promise Inc, and YMCA of the Triangle. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the data provided, with 1,353 grants to U.S. recipients.
It funds nonprofits, local governments, schools, churches, and students through different programs. The recent grants list also shows support for universities, health organizations, environmental groups, and community development groups, reflecting a multi-sector community foundation model.
Typical awards cluster around a median of $15,000, with the middle half of grants between $8,730 and $35,500. The recent grants list also includes much larger awards, including grants in the hundreds of thousands and above.
NCCF administers scholarships statewide through a Universal Scholarships Application and other donor-established scholarship applications. The scholarships are donor-defined, and awards are paid to educational institutions for eligible students in North Carolina.
Yes. It runs grantmaking through 53 affiliate foundations and community-advised funds, and those local programs are application-based. One example is the Morrisville Community Fund, which awards grants to eligible local organizations in Morrisville.
Its grantmaking is local and strongly centered in North Carolina, with 89% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. The data also shows a statewide network of affiliate programs, with local grants reaching communities across North Carolina.
2024
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2024.
Current and upcoming funding from North Carolina Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit and charitable organizations in North Carolina communities impacted by disasters.
Deadline: Varies by disaster and funding round; specific application windows announced on the Disaster Relief Fund page.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOROTHEA DIX PARK CONSERVANCY | RALEIGH, NC | $1,630,201 | 2024 | OTHER PUBLIC AND SOCIETAL BENEFIT |
| NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST | JENKINTOWN, PA | $1,472,488 | 2024 | OTHER PUBLIC AND SOCIETAL BENEFIT |
| AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION | NEWARK, DE | $969,283 | 2024 | PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM & GRANTMAKING FOUNDATION |
| SE RALEIGH PROMISE INC | RALEIGH, NC | $800,439 | 2024 | COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL & HEALTH SCIENCES FOUNDATION INC | GREENVILLE, NC | $625,634 | 2024 | PUBLIC COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES - OTHER SUPPORT |
| NORTH CAROLINA FIREFIGHTER'S FUND | BALSAM, NC | $500,000 | 2024 | FIRE PREVENTION |
| NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF FREE AND CHARITABLE CLINICS | CHARLOTTE, NC | $500,000 | 2024 | HOSPITALS & CLINICS |
| NEO PHILANTHROPY | NEW YORK, NY | $402,341 | 2024 | OTHER PUBLIC AND SOCIETAL BENEFIT |
| NC INNOVATION | DURHAM, NC | $400,000 | 2024 | OTHER PUBLIC AND SOCIETAL BENEFIT |
| BUFFALO BILL CENTER OF THE WEST | CODY, WY | $325,000 | 2024 | MUSEUMS & HISTORIC SITES |
| SAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERATION INC APPALACHIAN FIELD OFFICE | FAIRFIELD, CT | $316,287 | 2024 | OTHER YOUTH PROGRAMS |
| TRIANGLE LAND CONSERVANCY | DURHAM, NC | $312,097 | 2024 | ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS |
| UNC SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT FOUNDATION | CHAPEL HILL, NC | $235,000 | 2024 | PUBLIC COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES - OTHER SUPPORT |
| THE FLETCHER SCHOOL | CHARLOTTE, NC | $217,000 | 2024 | PRIVATE ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY SCHOOLS |
| THE CHILDREN'S PLAYHOUSE | BOONE, NC | $205,610 | 2024 | MUSEUMS & HISTORIC SITES |
| PRESERVATION NC | RALEIGH, NC | $201,840 | 2024 | HISTORIC PRESERVATION |
| CARTERET HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | MOREHEAD CITY, NC | $200,750 | 2024 | HOSPITALS & CLINICS |
| WHITE MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | RALEIGH, NC | $198,600 | 2024 | RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS |
| PRETTY IN PINK FOUNDATION | RALEIGH, NC | $178,500 | 2024 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL - DEVELOPMENT OFFICE | CHAPEL HILL, NC | $178,000 | 2024 | PUBLIC COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES - OTHER SUPPORT |
| CHATHAM COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT | PITTSBORO, NC | $175,000 | 2024 | PUBLIC HEALTH |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT PEMBROKE FOUNDATION INC | PEMBROKE, NC | $171,000 | 2024 | PUBLIC HEALTH |
| QUEEN CITY COCOA B E A N S INCORPORATED | CHARLOTTE, NC | $169,194 | 2024 | PUBLIC HEALTH |
| REGION A PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN | SYLVA, NC | $158,578 | 2024 | OTHER YOUTH PROGRAMS |
| HELP INCORPORATED CENTER AGAINST VIOLENCE | WENTWORTH, NC | $152,000 | 2024 | DOMESTIC ABUSE PREVENTION & RECOVERY |
| CHI OMEGA FOUNDATION | MEMPHIS, TN | $150,000 | 2024 | OTHER PUBLIC AND SOCIETAL BENEFIT |
| NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION ADVANCEMENT OPERATIONS | GREENSBORO, NC | $150,000 | 2024 | PUBLIC HEALTH |
| RUTGERS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ | $150,000 | 2024 | PUBLIC COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES - OTHER SUPPORT |
| NC DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE | RALEIGH, NC | $143,312 | 2024 | OTHER PUBLIC AND SOCIETAL BENEFIT |
| CAROLINA WETLANDS ASSOCIATION | RALEIGH, NC | $130,000 | 2024 | ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS |
| CAMPBELL UNIVERSITY | BUIES CREEK, NC | $126,290 | 2024 | PRIVATE COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES - OTHER SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION INC | DALLAS, TX | $125,000 | 2024 | PUBLIC HEALTH |
| GOOD SHEPHERD MINISTRIES OF WILMINGTON INC | WILMINGTON, NC | $120,730 | 2024 | HOUSING PROGRAMS |
| THE WELL | JOHNSON CITY, TN | $120,000 | 2024 | RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS |
| THE JESSE HELMS CENTER FOUNDATION INC | WINGATE, NC | $119,310 | 2024 | OTHER PUBLIC AND SOCIETAL BENEFIT |
| ST JAMES PARISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH | WILMINGTON, NC | $119,000 | 2024 | RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS |
| FOOD BANK OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA INC | RALEIGH, NC | $115,280 | 2024 | FOOD PROGRAMS (FOOD BANKS & PANTRIES, SOUP KITCHENS) |
| WATAUGA COUNTY | BOONE, NC | $115,000 | 2024 | PUBLIC ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY SCHOOLS |
| SAMARITAN HOUSE INC | CHARLOTTE, NC | $115,000 | 2024 | HOUSING PROGRAMS |
| YMCA OF THE TRIANGLE | RALEIGH, NC | $111,650 | 2024 | YMCA, YWCA, YWHA, YMHA |
| EDUCATIONNC | RALEIGH, NC | $110,000 | 2024 | OTHER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| WEYMOUTH CENTER | SOUTHERN PINES, NC | $108,770 | 2024 | HUMANITIES |
| MURFREESBORO HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION INC | MURFREESBORO, NC | $108,480 | 2024 | MUSEUMS & HISTORIC SITES |
| CCCP COMMUNITY TRUST | CHARLOTTE, NC | $105,000 | 2024 | OTHER PUBLIC AND SOCIETAL BENEFIT |
| WAMY COMMUNITY ACTION | BOONE, NC | $101,515 | 2024 | HOUSING PROGRAMS |
| HEALING TRANSITIONS INC | RALEIGH, NC | $100,973 | 2024 | SUBSTANCE ABUSE DEPENDENCY, PREVENTION & TREATMENT |
| WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | WINSTONSALEM, NC | $100,000 | 2024 | PRIVATE COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES - SCHOLARSHIPS |
| HAYWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE | CLYDE, NC | $100,000 | 2024 | OTHER PUBLIC AND SOCIETAL BENEFIT |
| MASONBORO BAPTIST CHURCH | WILMINGTON, NC | $100,000 | 2024 | RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS |
| WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH BAPTIST CHURCH | WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC | $100,000 | 2024 | RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS |
DOROTHEA DIX PARK CONSERVANCY
$1,630,201OTHER PUBLIC AND SOCIETAL BENEFIT
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST
$1,472,488OTHER PUBLIC AND SOCIETAL BENEFIT
AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION
$969,283PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM & GRANTMAKING FOUNDATION
SE RALEIGH PROMISE INC
$800,439COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL & HEALTH SCIENCES FOUNDATION INC
$625,634PUBLIC COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES - OTHER SUPPORT
NORTH CAROLINA FIREFIGHTER'S FUND
$500,000FIRE PREVENTION
NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF FREE AND CHARITABLE CLINICS
$500,000HOSPITALS & CLINICS
NEO PHILANTHROPY
$402,341OTHER PUBLIC AND SOCIETAL BENEFIT
NC INNOVATION
$400,000OTHER PUBLIC AND SOCIETAL BENEFIT
BUFFALO BILL CENTER OF THE WEST
$325,000MUSEUMS & HISTORIC SITES
SAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERATION INC APPALACHIAN FIELD OFFICE
$316,287OTHER YOUTH PROGRAMS
TRIANGLE LAND CONSERVANCY
$312,097ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS
UNC SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT FOUNDATION
$235,000PUBLIC COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES - OTHER SUPPORT
THE FLETCHER SCHOOL
$217,000PRIVATE ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY SCHOOLS
THE CHILDREN'S PLAYHOUSE
$205,610MUSEUMS & HISTORIC SITES
PRESERVATION NC
$201,840HISTORIC PRESERVATION
CARTERET HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
$200,750HOSPITALS & CLINICS
WHITE MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$198,600RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
PRETTY IN PINK FOUNDATION
$178,500MEDICAL RESEARCH
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL - DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
$178,000PUBLIC COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES - OTHER SUPPORT
CHATHAM COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
$175,000PUBLIC HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT PEMBROKE FOUNDATION INC
$171,000PUBLIC HEALTH
QUEEN CITY COCOA B E A N S INCORPORATED
$169,194PUBLIC HEALTH
REGION A PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN
$158,578OTHER YOUTH PROGRAMS
HELP INCORPORATED CENTER AGAINST VIOLENCE
$152,000DOMESTIC ABUSE PREVENTION & RECOVERY
CHI OMEGA FOUNDATION
$150,000OTHER PUBLIC AND SOCIETAL BENEFIT
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION ADVANCEMENT OPERATIONS
$150,000PUBLIC HEALTH
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$150,000PUBLIC COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES - OTHER SUPPORT
NC DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
$143,312OTHER PUBLIC AND SOCIETAL BENEFIT
CAROLINA WETLANDS ASSOCIATION
$130,000ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS
CAMPBELL UNIVERSITY
$126,290PRIVATE COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES - OTHER SUPPORT
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION INC
$125,000PUBLIC HEALTH
GOOD SHEPHERD MINISTRIES OF WILMINGTON INC
$120,730HOUSING PROGRAMS
THE WELL
$120,000RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
THE JESSE HELMS CENTER FOUNDATION INC
$119,310OTHER PUBLIC AND SOCIETAL BENEFIT
ST JAMES PARISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$119,000RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
FOOD BANK OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA INC
$115,280FOOD PROGRAMS (FOOD BANKS & PANTRIES, SOUP KITCHENS)
WATAUGA COUNTY
$115,000PUBLIC ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY SCHOOLS
SAMARITAN HOUSE INC
$115,000HOUSING PROGRAMS
YMCA OF THE TRIANGLE
$111,650YMCA, YWCA, YWHA, YMHA
EDUCATIONNC
$110,000OTHER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
WEYMOUTH CENTER
$108,770HUMANITIES
MURFREESBORO HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION INC
$108,480MUSEUMS & HISTORIC SITES
CCCP COMMUNITY TRUST
$105,000OTHER PUBLIC AND SOCIETAL BENEFIT
WAMY COMMUNITY ACTION
$101,515HOUSING PROGRAMS
HEALING TRANSITIONS INC
$100,973SUBSTANCE ABUSE DEPENDENCY, PREVENTION & TREATMENT
WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$100,000PRIVATE COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES - SCHOLARSHIPS
HAYWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$100,000OTHER PUBLIC AND SOCIETAL BENEFIT
MASONBORO BAPTIST CHURCH
$100,000RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH BAPTIST CHURCH
$100,000RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS