Projects must serve charitable purposes and align with one or more of The Endowment’s four pillars: Social & Health Equity, Community Development, Education, and Community Safety. Grant funds may not be used for religious purposes.

• Your organization’s Articles of Formation
• Your organization’s list of board members with affiliations
• Your organization’s fiscal year operating budget for the current year
• Your organization’s audited financial statements for the most recently completed fiscal year. If you do not have audited financial statements, you must provide unaudited financial statements for the last two completed fiscal years
• If you are a 501(c)(3) organization, your organization’s Form 990
• If you are a 501(c)(3) organization, your organization’s 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS (or equivalent if your organization is a local government or church)

Failure to deliver all the required documentation will impact your application’s score. If you do not have the required financial documentation, you must apply via a fiscal sponsor.

You will need a fiscal sponsor to apply for a Community Grant if you meet the following conditions:

• If your grant amount exceeds 50% of your operating budget, inclusive of all open grants from The Endowment.
• If your organization does not have an audited financial statement from the last completed fiscal year or unaudited financial statements from the last two completed fiscal years.

Even if your organization is eligible and provides all the required documentation, an organization may still be asked by The Endowment to apply via a fiscal sponsor. If you still have questions on whether you need a fiscal sponsor to apply for a Community Grant, feel free to reach out by contacting our Community Grants Program Network Associate here.

Yes, below are the additional fiscal sponsor documents you need to provide in addition to your organization-specific documents from Question #3.

• Fiscal sponsor agreement
• Fiscal sponsor’s Articles of Incorporation 
• Fiscal sponsor’s board list with affiliations
• Fiscal sponsor’s audited financial statements for the most recently completed fiscal year. If your fiscal sponsor does not have audited financial statements, they must provide unaudited financial statements for the last two completed fiscal years
• Fiscal sponsor’s most recent Form 990 and IRS determination letter.

No, an LOI is not required. If you wish to apply, please complete the application directly from the portal.

Applications to apply for the Spring 2026 cycle open January 5, 2026 and are due by 11:59 PM on February 6, 2026.

Applications to apply for the Fall 2026 cycle open July 13, 2026 and are due by 11:59 PM on August 14, 2026.

No, you can only apply for each grant cycle once.

Yes, fiscal sponsors may submit one application on behalf of their own organization and may also serve as a fiscal agent for multiple sponsored organizations.

Yes, the maximum award is $15,000. The minimum award is $5,000.

Absolutely. Please feel free to contact our Community Grants Program Network Associate here.

Please see the eligibility criteria above.

Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria above and can provide the required documentation.

Yes, however; to be eligible for a Community Grant from the Endowment, your organization and your proposed grant must serve or benefit residents in New Hanover County.

Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria above and can provide the required documentation or else via a fiscal sponsor.

No. The Community Grants are separate from other programs.

Click here to download a walk-through guide on how to fill out the budget component of the application and other resources.