Charlotte Grants for Nonprofits

The Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation focused on making grants to support environmental, human services and other causes.

The Lawrence Foundation was established in mid-2000. We make both program and operating grants and do not have any geographical restrictions on our grants. Nonprofit organizations that qualify for public charity status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or other similar organizations are eligible for grants from The Lawrence Foundation.  

Grant Amount and Types

Grants typically range between $5,000 - $10,000. In some limited cases we may make larger grants, but that is typically after we have gotten to know your organization over a period of time. We also generally don’t make multi-year grants, although we may fund the same organization on a year by year basis over a period of years.

General operating or program/project grant requests within our areas of interests are accepted. In general, regardless of whether a grant request is for general operating or program/project expenses, all of our grants will be issued as unrestricted grants.

The Foundation is dedicated to providing financial assistance to organizations committed to improving our world. Solutions to the problems of today's world still lie in the values of innovation, practicality, hard work, and compassion.

The Foundation considers applications for grants in the following areas:

• Education
• Social Service
• Health care
• Civic and cultural
• Environmental

The categories above are not intended to limit the interest of the Foundation from considering other worthwhile projects. In general, the Foundation guidelines are broad to give us flexibility in providing grants.

The majority of our grants are made in the U.S. However, like Dr. Scholl, we recognize the need for a global outlook. Non-U.S. grants are given to organizations where directors have knowledge of the grantee.

Philanthropy is our commitment to communities in which we operate and broader society. We focus our resources on a limited number of key projects that can deliver valuable benefits from our contributions and those of our partners. We give priority to innovative, high-quality projects that meet the following criteria:

• promote sustainable development
• offer an opportunity for Roche to use its expertise and logistics capabilities
• involve Roche actively at an early stage with local authorities and established partners
• engage Roche employees in cultural (focus on contemporary arts), educational and social activities
• managed by an accredited charity

Our four focus areas

Humanitarian and Social

We direct the majority of our philanthropic donations to humanitarian and social development projects.

Science and education

We are dedicated to programmes that promote scientific interest and provide educational opportunities for young people around the world.

Community and Environment

We are committed to building stronger communities and responding to natural disasters sustainably.

Arts and Culture

We support groundbreaking contemporary art, cultural projects and activities that explore the parallels between innovation in art and in science. 

Mission

The mission of the Hearst Foundations is to identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States can build healthy, productive and satisfying lives. Through its grantmaking, the Hearst Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address significant issues within their major areas of focus—culture, education, health and social service—and that primarily serve large demographic and/or geographic constituencies. In each area of funding, the Foundations seek to identify those organizations achieving truly differentiated results relative to other organizations making similar efforts for similar populations. The Foundations also look for evidence of sustainability beyond their support.

Whether providing a scholarship to a deserving student, supporting a rural health clinic or bringing artists into schools so children can see firsthand the beauty of the arts, the Foundations’ focus is consistent: to help those in need, those underserved and those underrepresented in society. Since the Foundations were formed in the 1940s, the scale and capabilities of the grant making have changed, but the mission has not.

Culture Grant

The Hearst Foundations fund cultural institutions that offer meaningful programs in the arts and sciences, prioritizing those that enable engagement by young people and create a lasting and measurable impact. The Foundations also fund select programs nurturing and developing artistic talent. Supported organizations include arts schools, ballets, museums, operas, performing arts centers, symphonies and theaters.

Funding Priorities in Culture

In the recent past, 25% of total funding has been allocated to Culture. Organizations with budgets over $10 million have received 60% of the funding in Culture.

The Hearst Foundations are only able to fund approximately 25% of all grant requests, of which about 80% is directed to prior grantees and about 20% is targeted toward new grantees.

Types of Support

Program, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support

Description

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation (CMCF) is a permanent endowment at Foundation For The Carolinas. CMCF’s Board of Advisors directs its grantmaking to support a community where every resident is afforded the opportunity to be well-educated, safely housed, meaningfully employed and actively engaged in community decisions. CMCF views itself as an investor in the community and is interested in creating the highest possible levels of community gain, focused on improving the lives of residents in Mecklenburg County, N.C.

Result and Investment Areas

CMCF’s intended investments for this grant opportunity originate from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Opportunity Task Force Report (March 2017) and Leading on Opportunity’s Opportunity Compass. Launched in 2022, the Opportunity Compass is a tool that provides a shared language for the key determinants of economic mobility and establishes a baseline for future progress for our community. Recognizing the importance of investing in efforts that we know move the needle on economic mobility, the most competitive applications in this grant cycle will clearly demonstrate how their organization’s work addresses at least one economic mobility indicator reflected within the Opportunity Compass. CMCF encourages all applicants to explore the Opportunity Compass prior to applying.

Cradle to Career

A child’s earliest years have a profound and lasting impact on their school success, their career success, and their lives. CMCF seeks proposals that address early childhood (birth to kindergarten) and college and career readiness (elementary school to age 24). Priority will be given to proposals that will:

• Ensure access to safe and enriching early care and education or strengthen the early care and education workforce in Mecklenburg County, N.C.
• Support parents and other caregivers as a child’s first teacher in promoting positive early brain development.
• Broaden the range of and access to high-quality college and career pathways offered by K-12 and post-secondary institutions and equip students with the necessary information and guidance to understand them.
• Create more on-ramps to education, training, and employment for disconnected youth and young adults, including paid work-based learning opportunities for students.
• Expand and strengthen support for first-generation or low-socioeconomic status students as they transition to and complete post-secondary education.

History

The Merancas Foundation was founded by Anke and Casey Mermans in 1989. The couple was bothered to see people work hard yet not be able to afford a basic living. They knew they could help make a difference in the lives of those in need. Guided by the principle that philanthropy should be an investment in our communities, The Merancas Foundation has sought out partners that can deliver services to deserving individuals and families. While we understand that the frameworks of poverty and opportunity are complex, we are committed to continue investing in our communities as long as we have the resources to do so. Please read our mission, vision, and values to understand how we plan to tackle these challenges going forward.

About

Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, The Merancas Foundation is a private foundation guided by the belief that anyone who works hard should be able to achieve a sustainable living. The Foundation invests in local nonprofits that support those in crisis, provide pathways for adults to achieve self-sufficiency, and help children reach their greatest potential. 

Guidelines

While we recognize the importance of the many nonprofit organizations in our service areas, The Merancas Foundation is focused only on providing grants to organizations that fulfill its mission through programs and services.

Centene Charitable Foundation

Successful corporate citizenship happens when companies invest in the local organizations that know their communities best. The Centene Foundation works with our local partners on initiatives that focus on inclusion, the whole person and community development.

Vision

Centene’s purpose is transforming the health of the community, one person at a time. The Centene Foundation is an essential part of how we pursue this purpose. We achieve measurable impact for the communities we serve through partnerships and philanthropy efforts that invest in initiatives with holistic approaches to dismantling barriers to health.

Areas of Focus

Reflecting Centene’s commitment to the needs of those who rely on government-sponsored health care and to addressing social determinants of health and health equity, preference will be given to initiatives in three distinct areas of focus.

• Healthcare Access
• Social Services
• Education

Making community possible

At U.S. Bank, we are dedicated to supporting our communities through responsive and humbled actions focused on addressing racial and economic inequities and creating lasting change in our communities. Through our Community Possible Grant Program, we are partnering with organizations that focus on economic and workforce advancement, safe and affordable housing and communities connected through arts and culture.

The U.S. Bank Foundation is committed to making Community Possible through Work, Home and Play. We advance this work through collaborative grant making to bring equitable and lasting change through our focus on sustainable, high-impact funding with 501c3 nonprofit partners.

How we partner with nonprofits

We focus on collaborative grantmaking and sustainable, high-impact funding with 501(c)(3) nonprofit partners. We partner with organizations that support:

• Economic and workforce advancement
• Safe and affordable housing
• Community arts and culture

Our strategy

Our community affairs and foundation team work closely with U.S. Bank regional leadership, business resource groups and our National Community Advisory Committee to ensure that prevailing needs are addressed in all the communities we serve.

To make the most meaningful impact, we prioritize organizations that:

• Focus on economic development issues related to work, home and play
• Address more than one of the grant pillars (work, home and play)
• Are based in and serve designated U.S. Bank communities
• Advance diversity, equity and inclusion

Leon Levine Foundation

Established in 1980, The Leon Levine Foundation supports programs and organizations that improve the human condition through investments in education, healthcare, human services and Jewish values. Based in Charlotte, N.C., the Foundation invests in nonprofits across North Carolina and South Carolina with strong leadership, a track record of success, and a plan for financial sustainability. Through its investments, the Foundation intends to create pathways to self-sufficiency, champion strategies for permanent change, and facilitate opportunities for growth.

Corporate Contributions

Community involvement and corporate citizenship are an example of Insperity’s mission in action. We are committed to helping the communities where we live and work because together, we know we can make great things happen.

Grants

Philanthropic grants are a strong part of our community outreach and aid institutions needing financial support to meet important service goals.

Event Sponsorship

Fundraising events are an important part of nonprofit support. Insperity provides event sponsorships to approved charities to assist them in meeting their financial and community goals.

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust is devoted solely to the funding of charitable, scientific, medical and educational organizations.

The Board endeavors to support soundly-managed charitable organizations that give service with a broad scope, have a substantial effect on their target populations, and contribute materially to the general welfare. The Board does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation or religion.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation (CMCF) provides grants for organizations serving residents of Mecklenburg County, which align with its vision of a community where every resident is afforded the opportunity to be well educated, safely housed, meaningfully employed and actively engaged in community decisions. Further, CMCF believes that the preservation and protection of natural resources and environmentally conscious decision-making are vital to maintaining the community’s quality of life. 

Result and Investment Areas

The Foundation views itself as an investor in the community and is interested in creating the highest possible levels of community gain, focused on improving the lives of Mecklenburg County citizens. 

The Foundation typically awards grants between $10,000-$50,000 to eligible organizations. However, actual award amounts will be determined based on merit of the project and available funds.

Specific investment and results areas are outlined below and should be reflected in grant applications. 

Family Formation

Young women and men have access to the necessary information, resources and support to help them:

• Delay pregnancy when they chose to do so.
• Prepare for a healthy pregnancy and positive birth outcome when they chose to become a parent. 
• Build and strengthen their families as they are being formed.

Financial Security

• Parents are on a pathway to living wage employment, asset building and other means of creating financial stability, thus helping their children break the inter-generational poverty cycle.
• Families are equipped with the basic logistical support and services they need to find and maintain employment.

Innovative Housing Solutions

• Children and families are living in safe, nurturing and stable residential environments. 

Parenting Education, Family Support and Engagement

• Parents/other caregivers are strong advocates for their children and have increased knowledge of and skills for early brain and other positive child development.
• Families are well-connected to community resources and supports.
• Families are helping each other succeed through peer support
• Parents are addressing their own and their mental/behavioral health issues to more effectively support their children’s social/emotional needs and educational outcomes.
• The impact of a family’s involvement with the criminal justice system is lessened.
• Fathers are positively engaged in the lives and futures of their children.

For the purpose of this grant program, we define “family” as a household unit consisting of a parent(s) or other primary adult caregiver(s) such as grandparents or other designated relatives, and children under the age of 18 who are being cared for and supported by the adult caregivers. 

Commitment to Cultural Equity

IN OUR CULTURAL EQUITY STATEMENT, ASC COMMITS TO UPHOLD “CULTURAL EQUITY IN ALL ASC INVESTMENTS, GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES AND PRACTICES.” WITH THAT COMMITMENT AND AN INTEREST IN BUILDING A STRONGER SENSE OF BELONGING IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE WELCOME APPLICATIONS LED BY CULTURALLY SPECIFIC ORGANIZATIONS, AND THOSE CELEBRATING AND NURTURING PEOPLE WHO ARE SENIORS, DISABLED, IMMIGRANTS, LOW-INCOME, WOMEN AND GIRLS, LGBTQIA, AND THOSE OF AFRICAN, LATIN-A/O/X/E, ASIAN, ARAB, AND/OR NATIVE AMERICAN DESCENT.

Purpose

The Cultural Vision Grant program directly responds to the Charlotte Mecklenburg community’s interest in arts, science, history and heritage programming that builds strong communities and demonstrates innovative, relevant, and transformative cultural expression as outlined in Imagine 2025. ASC seeks to support high-quality arts and culture projects presented within Mecklenburg County by Creative Individuals or Nonprofit Organizations that advance one of the following goals:

• Building Community by connecting individuals across points of difference
• Building Community by nurturing, celebrating, and supporting authentic cultures and creative expression
• Increasing Relevance by using arts, science and history to address complex community issues
• Increasing Innovation by supporting the creation of new and groundbreaking work

Successful applicants will demonstrate a commitment to quality and clear intention toward at least one of the objectives above and a capacity for success.

ASC will make grants up to $20,000. ASC requires grantees to provide matching funds toward the project expenses.

Matching Grants

ASC Cultural Vision Grants require grantees to leverage additional funding from sources other than ASC. This may include funding from other grants, cash on hand, or in-kind contributions. ASC grant may represent up to 50% of the project budget, or $20,000, whichever is less. If producing matching funds is an obstacle to your participation in the program, please contact grants@artsandsicence.org prior to the deadline to discuss the situation.

Additional Panel Considerations

We support programming with, by and for under-invested populations, which may include people who are: Seniors, Disabled, Immigrants, Low-Income, Women and Girls, LGBTQIA, and those of African, Latin-a/o/x/e, Asian, Arab, and/or Native American descent.

We recognize a need for projects that will occur in Charlotte-Mecklenburg communities beyond the Center City area.

We seek programs that engage communities in scientific and historic curiosity.

We look for participatory audience experiences.

First Horizon Foundation invests in communities in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina.

The Foundation is the private charitable foundation established by First Horizon National Corp., the parent company of Capital Bank and First Tennessee Bank. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has donated more than $90 million to meet needs and enrich lives of people in the communities we serve.

Contributions from the Foundation include the following areas:

• Arts and Culture
• Education & Leadership
• Environment
• Financial Literacy
• Health & Human Services

Charlotte B. Proehl Foundation

For the support of charitable organizations in the Greater Houston, Texas area.

Program Areas

• Animal Welfare
• Arts and Culture
• Civic Activities
• Community Development
• Education
• Environment
• Human and Social Services
• Religious
• Health and Medical Research
• Scientific

Background

The Social Capital Grants program aligns with the recommendations of the Opportunity Task Force. It is designed to support organizations and programs focused on building social capital-networks, relationships, and access to opportunities --- through the lens of increasing economic opportunity for all children, youth, and families in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

The program will concentrate on supporting and strengthening organizations and programs that build and nurture social capital within communities, among communities, between organizations, and promotes a culture of caring and life navigation.

Building Social Capital & Promoting a Culture of Caring

• All children, youth, and families have access to pipelines of opportunities to development, resources, information, and positive networks and relationships.
• Organizations, business, educational and religious institutions, along with individuals collectively leverage their connections, relationships, and resources to help improve life of all children, youth, and families.
• Development of mutually genuine and trusting relationships, that promote the exchange of ideas, perspectives, and personal stories. 
• Development of a culture of caring that's demonstrated to every child, youth and families in Mecklenburg County.

Life Navigation

• All children and youth have access to an enduring person or persons of caring and support that expose them to new opportunities, connect them to careers, and assist with navigation of educational systems and life. 
• All children, youth, and families are offered tangible pathways to achieving their active aspirations*. 

*Active aspirations are goals that a person is consciously and deliberately working toward--requiring an individual to invest time, energy, and resources.

Our Mission

Our mission is to continue and further the philanthropic legacy of Gardner Cowles, Jr. and the Cowles family, which includes promotion of education, social justice, health, and the arts.

The Founder

The Cowles Charitable Trust was first established in 1948 by Gardner “Mike” Cowles, Jr. (1903-1985). Born into the Cowles publishing family of Des Moines, Iowa, Mike was the youngest of Gardner Cowles and Florence Call Cowles’ six children. A newspaper editor and publisher by trade, he was committed to his family’s traditions of responsible, public-spirited, and innovative journalism as well as philanthropy. 

The Cowles Charitable Trust supports the arts, education, the advancement of ethical journalism, medical and climate research.

What We Do

We serve as the designated “Office of Cultural Resources” for the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and six suburban towns by providing advocacy, cultural education programs, cultural planning, fundraising, grant making, public art and workshops and trainings for the cultural community. We work to ensure Culture For All by combining resources from local and state government with those of the private sector to maximize community impact throughout the cultural sector.

We work every day to ensure access to an excellent, relevant, and sustainable cultural community for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Region.

Commitment to Cultural Equity

ASC’s Cultural Equity Statement makes the commitment to uphold, “cultural equity in all ASC investments, governance and administrative policies and practices.” With that commitment and an interest in building a stronger sense of belonging in our community, we welcome applications led by culturally specific organizations, and those celebrating and nurturing people who are Seniors, Disabled, Immigrants, Low-Income, Women and Girls, LGBTQIA, and those of African, Latin-a/o/x/e, Asian, Arab, and/or Native American descent.

Equity In Our Grantmaking Practice

ASC accepts applications to the Cultural Vision Grant program from individuals, large and small non-profit organizations, and community groups. We recognize the need for community programming in every neighborhood across Mecklenburg County. We encourage applications from every township in Mecklenburg. We encourage applications which provide community programs centered around history, science, and technology. ASC intentionally recruits panelists who represent the diversity of our community, share our commitment to equitable grantmaking, and represent the different disciplines of our applicants. These panels are responsible for selecting which applications ASC funds. 

Purpose

The Cultural Vision Grant program directly responds to the Charlotte Mecklenburg community’s interest in arts, science, history and heritage programming that builds strong communities and demonstrates innovative, relevant and transformative cultural expression. ASC seeks to support high quality arts and culture projects presented within Mecklenburg County by Creative Individuals or Nonprofit Organizations that advance one of the following goals:

• Building Community by connecting individuals across points of difference
• Building Community by nurturing, celebrating, and supporting authentic cultures and creative expression
• Increasing Relevance by using arts, science and history to address complex community issues
• Increasing Innovation by supporting the creation of new and groundbreaking work

Successful applicants will demonstrate a commitment to quality and clear intention toward at least one of the objectives above and a capacity for success. 

Matching Funds

ASC Cultural Vision Grants require grantees to leverage additional funding from sources other than ASC. This may include funding from other grants, cash on hand, or in-kind contributions. ASC grant may represent up to 50% of the project budget, or $10,000, whichever is less. If producing matching funds is an obstacle to your participation in the program, please contact grants@artsandsicence.org prior to the deadline to discuss the situation.  

Additional Panel Considerations

• We support programming with, by and for under-invested populations, which may include people who are: Seniors, Disabled, Immigrants, Low-Income, Women and Girls, LGBTQIA, and those of African, Latin-a/o/x/e, Asian, Arab, and/or Native American descent.
• We recognize a need for projects that will occur in Charlotte-Mecklenburg communities beyond the Center City area.
• We seek programs that engage communities in scientific and historic curiosity.
• We look for participatory audience experiences.

Calling to Serve

Since its inception in 2016, the Robinson Foundation has sought to demonstrate God’s love through sharing the gifts we have received. We understand the often unspoken hardships and struggles that people in and outside of our community face everyday. As such, our contributions are focused on relieving these hardships for the betterment of our world.

As a family-operated foundation, we pray that our small efforts will not only create immediate change in the lives of our neighbors, but will help set those lives on a course for success in the future. We are thankful for each and every day we have on this earth to use what God has granted us to make a difference.

Areas of Interest

• Animal Welfare
• Children & Families
• Disaster Relief
• Education
• Medical Assistance
• Nature & Wildlife Conservation
• Poverty Relief
• Religious & Spiritual Endeavors
• Veterans' Issues

Grant Considerations

We take many different aspects of applications into account when making grant issuing decisions, however these are some of the high-level questions we ask ourselves during the process:

• How does the organization serve their key audience goals?
• Is the organization fiscally responsible?
• Will a grant have a tangible, meaningful impact?
• Will we see direct results from this grant?
• Does the organization have other financial contributors?

The Plus Collective

We are a giving program and foundation that awards grants to organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community in the Charlotte region while also cultivating partnerships with community allies.

Basic Operating Grants

The Plus Collective (TPC) will award Operating Grants to Charlotte-area organizations serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community.

Basic Operating Grants are intended to build capacity and strengthen the effectiveness of 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations whose primary objective is to serve the Charlotte-Mecklenburg LGBTQ+ community. Grants will be awarded to support the general operations of organizations that exemplify the vision of

Organizations may apply for either a Basic Operating Grant or a Programs, Projects and Events (PPE) Grant, but NOT both.

Funding Priorities

Applicant organizations should exemplify TPC’s vision: The organizations’ services should support the following:

• Building understanding and appreciation, as well as promoting the value of inclusion within the organization’s circle of influence, for LGBTQ+ populations.
• Cultivating leadership opportunities for LGBTQ+ people.
• Engaging and including people with diverse backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender identity in programs, services and organizational values.

Funding Considerations

As you complete your application, give special consideration to documenting the following criteria which will be used in making grant decisions:

• Scope of impact: The organization has a positive impact on its audience and the Charlotte LGBTQ+ community.
• Effectiveness: The organization is effective at utilizing resources to provide the services and benefits it offers.
• Budget: The organization’s budget presents reasonable costs for services performed and an efficient way to achieve the objectives.
• Diversity: The organization engages and includes people of color, trans individuals and others typically underserved within the LGBTQ+ community.
• Defined measures: The organization identifies clear objectives and uses relevant metrics and measures to define a successful outcome.
• Organizational experience: The organization has the appropriate talent, skills, and experience to execute its objectives and effectively utilize grant funds.

The Plus Collective

We are a giving program and foundation that awards grants to organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community in the Charlotte region while also cultivating partnerships with community allies.

Programs, Projects, and Events (PP&E) Grants

The Plus Collective (TPC) will award up to $25,000 in Programs, Projects and Events (PPE) Grants to a select group of Charlotte-area organizations serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community.

Programs, Projects and Events (PPE) Grants are awarded to encourage LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to serve the Charlotte-Mecklenburg LGBTQ+ community either directly or in partnership with another organization(s). The program, project or event should exemplify the vision of

LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ organizations are eligible for (i) ONE direct PPE Grant of up to $5,000 or (ii) ONE PPE grant of up to $7,500 if applying in partnership with another 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization(s).

Organizations may apply for either a Basic Operating Grant or a Programs, Projects and Events (PPE) Grant, but NOT both.

Funding Priorities

Applicant organizations should exemplify TPC’s vision: The organizations’ services should support the following:

• Building understanding and appreciation, as well as promoting the value of inclusion within the organization’s circle of influence, for LGBTQ+ populations.
• Cultivating leadership opportunities for LGBTQ+ people.
• Engaging and including people with diverse backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender identity in programs, services and organizational values.

Funding Considerations

As you complete your application, give special consideration to documenting the following criteria which will be used in making grant decisions:

• Scope of impact: The organization has a positive impact on its audience and the Charlotte LGBTQ+ community.
• Nurtures individuals to actualize their potential: The program, project or event supports individuals within the LGBTQ+ community in their personal journey through acceptance, pride, support of community and leadership.
• Presents a positive image of LGBTQ+ people to the community: The program, project or event presents a fair and positive understanding of people who are LBGTQ+.
• Effectiveness: The organization is effective at utilizing resources to provide the services and benefits it offers.
• Budget: The organization’s budget presents reasonable costs for services performed and an efficient way to achieve the objectives.
• Diversity: The organization engages and includes people of color, trans individuals and others typically underserved within the LGBTQ+ community.
• Defined measures: The organization identifies clear objectives and uses relevant metrics and measures to define a successful outcome.
• Timeline: The proposed timeline is realistic for accomplishing the outcomes.
• Organizational experience: The organization has the appropriate talent, skills, and experience to execute its objectives and effectively utilize grant funds.

The Plus Collective

We are a giving program and foundation that awards grants to organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community in the Charlotte region while also cultivating partnerships with community allies.

Grassroots Grants

The Plus Collective (TPC) will award grants to Charlotte-area organizations serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community.

Grassroots Grants are intended to build capacity and strengthen the effectiveness of startup organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) nonprofit status) whose primary objective is to serve the Charlotte-Mecklenburg LGBTQ+ community, allowing TPC to reach organizations with unmet needs that fall outside of the current Basic Operating and Programs, Projects, and Events (PPE) Grant parameters. Grassroots Grants will be awarded to support general operations as specified in the grant application that exemplify the vision of

Grassroots Grants cannot exceed $2,000.

Funding Priorities

Applicant organizations should exemplify TPC’s vision: The organizations’ services should support the following:

• Building understanding and appreciation, as well as promoting the value of inclusion within the organization’s circle of influence, for LGBTQ+ populations.
• Cultivating leadership opportunities for LGBTQ+ people.
• Engaging and including people with diverse backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender identity in programs, services and organizational values.

Funding Considerations

As you complete your application, give special consideration to documenting the following criteria which will be used in making grant decisions:

• Scope of impact: The organization has a positive impact on its audience and the Charlotte LGBTQ+ community.
• Nurtures individuals to actualize their potential: The program, project or event supports individuals within the LGBTQ+ community in their personal journey through acceptance, pride, support of community and leadership.
• Presents a positive image of LGBTQ+ people to the community: The program, project or event presents a fair and positive understanding of people who are LBGTQ+.
• Effectiveness: The organization is effective at utilizing resources to provide the services and benefits it offers.
• Budget: The organization’s budget presents reasonable costs for services performed and an efficient way to achieve the objectives.
• Diversity: The organization engages and includes people of color, trans individuals and others typically underserved within the LGBTQ+ community.
• Defined measures: The organization identifies clear objectives and uses relevant metrics and measures to define a successful outcome.
• Organizational experience: The organization has the appropriate talent, skills, and experience to execute its objectives and effectively utilize grant funds.

Background

The Longleaf Fund’s program invests in capital projects to strengthen the character and achievement of at-risk children and youth in communities across the Carolinas. Teaming together with strong nonprofit partners, Longleaf Fund grants encourage communities to reach higher and create opportunities for a brighter future for its youth. The Longleaf Fund is an anonymous donor advised fund at Foundation For The Carolinas (FFTC).

 Investment Areas

Longleaf Fund grants have a particular emphasis on one-time capital projects that fall within one of the following three areas:

• Build community and increase daily physical activity by building or enhancing age-appropriate, accessible space for play, sports and recreational activities
• Promote learning, especially for at-risk youth, with a particular emphasis on creating or improving access to technology
• Enhance the quality of life for children, ages 0-18, with disabilities (physical and/or mental) by improving their educational or physical environment and developing the children’s physical capabilities

Type of funding available: 

Capital projects, including

• buildings & structures, athletic fields, climbing walls, parks serving children, playgrounds, camp facilities with an emphasis on sports and active lifestyle and other indoor and outdoor recreational facilities; sports equipment, including adaptive sports equipment for disabled children

Education technology projects, including:

• refurbishing or building computer labs and other physical spaces supporting the use of technology; hardware, software, printers and technological devices

Adaptive equipment and/or assistive technology

Background

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) provides federal funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for physical security enhancements and other security-related activities to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist or other extremist attack. NSGP also seeks to integrate the preparedness activities of nonprofit organizations with broader state and local preparedness efforts.

NSGP is a competitive federal grant program from DHS/FEMA administered through the North Carolina Dept. of Public Safety (NCDPS) / North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) in the state of NC.

NSGP - Urban Area (NSGP-UA)

NSGP-UA funds nonprofit organizations located within Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) designated high-risk urban areas, which is defined as the Charlotte Area in NC.

Primary Purpose

Target Hardening.  Some example projects include contracted security, fencing, lighting, cameras, security/reinforced doors, window treatments, communications equipment, security alarm systems, security plans, and staff training and exercises.

The intent is to integrate nonprofit preparedness activities with broader state and local preparedness efforts. It is also designed to promote coordination and collaboration in emergency preparedness activities among public and private community representatives, as well as state and local government agencies.

Funding

Eligible nonprofit sub-applicants with one site may apply for up to $150,000 for that site. Nonprofit sub-applicants with multiple sites may apply for up to $150,000 per site for up to three sites, for a maximum of $450,000 per sub-applicant per state and funding source.

For example, a nonprofit organization with locations in multiple states may apply for up to three sites within each state, per funding source, for a maximum of six sites per state (three under NSGP-S, and three under NSGP-UA).

At Ally, our purpose is to advance economic mobility and reduce inequities through innovative philanthropy and programing that inspires social change, with a focus on:

• Affordable Housing
  • To impact affordable housing, we make grants to nonprofit organizations that focus on expanding access to quality affordable housing and enabling pathways toward permanent housing solutions.
• Financial Education
  • To impact financial education, we make grants to nonprofit organizations that focus on providing underserved communities with the tools and resources that address key financial concepts to help end disparities and advance economic mobility.
• Workforce Development
  • To impact workforce development, we make grants to nonprofit organizations that focus on providing individuals with access to college and career pathways that will help advance economic mobility in underserved communities.

Our philanthropic giving strategy is aligned to these focus areas to increase impact through purposeful collaboration and community engagement.

Purpose Statement

The Fischer Family Foundation supports the mission of improving the lives of underprivileged and low-income populations primarily ages 8-25 in Southwest Florida through various resources that support enriching lives, improving mental health, and promoting overall well-being. These resources are focused on, but not limited to, education, summer camps, intensive overnight wellness and/or recovery retreats, wilderness programs, and substance abuse treatment facilities, programs and/or services.

Funding priority is given, but not limited to, the following areas:

• Substance Abuse
• Prevention and education programs targeting youth and at-risk populations
• Accessible treatment and recovery support services
• Harm-reduction initiatives, such as needle exchange programs
• Mental health
• Initiatives that improve access to mental health services in underserved areas
• Programs addressing the mental health needs such as summer camp, overnight retreats
• Camps serving underprivileged children including scholarships for low-income families
• Outdoor education programs that promote environmental stewardship and experiential learning

Priority will be given to requests to provide underprivileged youth access to opportunities for connection, skill building, conflict resolution, independence, and new experiences that can enrich their lives socially and emotionally.

Grant Types

• The Fischer Family Foundation offers project-specific grants, general operating support and capacity-building grants
• Multi-year grants may be considered for well-established organizations with a proven track record

Grant Size

• Grant sizes typically range from $5,000 to $15,000, yet larger grants may be awarded for exceptional projects

Pew Biomedical Scholars 

The Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences provides funding to young investigators of outstanding promise in science relevant to the advancement of human health. The program makes grants to selected academic institutions to support the independent research of outstanding individuals who are in their first few years of their appointment at the assistant professor level.

Based on their performance during their education and training, candidates should demonstrate outstanding promise as contributors in science relevant to human health. Strong proposals will incorporate particularly creative and pioneering approaches to basic, translational, and applied biomedical research. Candidates whose work is based on biomedical principles but who bring in concepts and theories from more diverse fields are encouraged to apply.

Ideas with the potential to produce an unusually high impact are encouraged. Selection of the successful candidates will be based on a detailed description of the work that the applicant proposes to undertake, evaluations of the candidate’s performance, and notable past accomplishments, including honors, awards, and publications. In evaluating the candidates, the National Advisory Committee gives considerable weight to both the project proposal and the researcher, including evidence that the candidate is a successful independent investigator and has the skill set needed to carry out their high-impact proposal.

Funding from the NIH, other government sources, and project grants from nonprofit associations do not pose a conflict with the Pew scholars program.

Funding

The current grant level is $300,000.

An award of $75,000 per year for four years will be provided to the sponsoring institution for use by the scholar, subject to annual review of the scholar’s progress. Grant agreements will be issued in August of the award year. The awarded funds may be used at the discretion of the Pew scholar, for personnel, equipment, supplies, or travel directly related to the scholar's research and as to best advance his or her research and career.

• The amount of the award that may be used for the principal investigator’s salary is limited to $12,500 per year (including benefits) or $50,000 over the duration of the grant. There are no limits on student or postdoctoral salaries.
• Not more than 8 percent ($24,000) of the total award value may be allocated for facilities and administration (F&A) charges or indirect costs (IDCs).
• Should the funds not be immediately required, they may be accumulated and carried over through the grant period and, with written approval of the program office, the grant may receive a no-cost extension for one additional year (without additional funds).
• Subawards are allowed.

During the four-year grant term, program participants are required to attend an annual meeting held in March or April. All eligible expenses for attendees’ travel, lodging, and meals are paid by Pew. The meeting provides Pew scholars with an opportunity to present their research and for scientific collaboration and exchange with other scholars and members of the National Advisory Committee.