COMMUNity grants

Overview

The Endowment’s Community Grants Program awards grants of up to $5,000 in support of programs, services, projects, or initiatives that align with the following priority areas:

• Social and Health Equity: Providing or improving access to resources for optimal health and well-being.
• Education: Delivering or enhancing educational opportunities, access to learning resources, and skill-building opportunities.
• Community Safety: Helping to create safe and supportive environments for all residents and promoting community resilience and engagement.
• Community Development: Promoting economic and community development, creating welcoming environments, and fostering community cohesion.

To be eligible for a grant, applicants must:

1. Be organized as a tax-exempt organization (nonprofit, public charity or university) or a public agency, including state, county and local governments. A nonprofit group that is not a tax-exempt organization must apply via a fiscal sponsorship from a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.
2. Have a mailing address in New Hanover County and serve or benefit residents of New Hanover County and region.
3. Demonstrate alignment with one or more of the Endowment’s strategic pillars:
   • Social and Health Equity,
   • Education,
   • Community Safety, and
   • Community Development.

Register and Complete Your Application 

• Register and apply on The Endowment’s grant portal. 

Required Documentation 

• Applicants must provide the following, for themselves or their fiscal sponsor if applying via a fiscal sponsor: 

• Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 990 for the most recent fiscal year. This may be a 990-N, 990-EZ, or 990. 

• For non-profit organizations, proof of 501(c)(3) status.  

• Most recent audited financial statements or financial statements for the last two fiscal years 

• Current board of directors list. 

Technical Assistance 

• The Endowment will provide assistance in completing the application during our Technical Assistance office hours from March 3, 2025, through March 31, 2025.  

• Mondays: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM 

• Wednesdays: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM 

• Fridays: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Please contact Moussa Toure, Network Associate, HERE to receive assistance during the technical assistance office hours. 

Timeline: 

• March 3: Program announced and applications open 

• April 4: Deadline to submit applications 

• May 28: We will announce Community and Capacity Grants Program awards! 

Sample Community Grants Application