Foundation For The Carolinas

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $540,885,831 (2023)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: 2 months after application deadline
Grant Range: $5,000 - $200,000 (typical competitive grants)
Geographic Focus: 13 counties across North and South Carolina
Total Assets: Over $4 billion under management
Established: 1958

Contact Details

Main Office:

Address: 220 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: (704) 973-4500
Email: competitivegrants@fftc.org
Website: https://www.fftc.org/

Online Grant Center:

https://fftcgrants.communityforce.com/

Overview

Foundation For The Carolinas (FFTC) was established in 1958 with a $3,000 gift from the United Way and has grown to become the fifth-largest community foundation in the United States. With over $4 billion in charitable assets across more than 3,000 funds, FFTC distributed $540.9 million in grants during 2023. Since inception, the foundation has made grants totaling nearly $2 billion. The foundation serves a 13-county region spanning North Carolina (Cabarrus, Cleveland, Davidson, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Richmond, Rowan, Stanly, and Union Counties) and South Carolina (Cherokee, Lancaster, and York Counties). Under new leadership beginning January 2024, President and CEO Cathy Bessant emphasizes using the foundation's size and influence to shape philanthropy and build "a more dynamic and equitable future" for the region. FFTC is recognized as the fastest-growing among the 800 community foundations in the United States, ranking among the top five in both grantmaking and contributions to funds.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Foundation For The Carolinas administers 22 public competitive grant programs, each with distinct priorities and requirements. Key programs include:

Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation (CMCF)

Grant Range: $5,000 - $40,000 (typical awards)
Focus Areas: Children/Youth & Young Adults, Family Stability, Social Capital
Application Method: Online portal, fixed cycles (transitioning to two annual cycles in 2025)
Notable: Starting 2025, CMCF will accept general operating support applications alongside program-specific funding

Community Impact Funds

Various themed funds including Health & Human Services, Arts & Culture, Education and Youth, Animal Welfare, and Environmental Sustainability
Recent awards: $110,000 across eight nonprofits
Application Method: Varies by specific fund

Foundation for Black Philanthropy (FFBP)

Focuses on empowering Black communities
Includes programs like the African American Community Endowment Fund (established 1993)

Other Named Programs:

Margaret C. Woodson Foundation
The Cole Foundation
Community Foundation of Richmond County
The Longleaf Fund
Cherokee County Community Foundation

Grant amounts typically range from $5,000 to $200,000 for competitive programs, though grants most commonly fall in the $10,000 - $200,000 range. Specific programs have their own ranges (e.g., CMCF Social Capital grants: $5,000-$25,000).

Priority Areas

Based on 2023 grantmaking activity:

Education and Youth Development: 4,508 grants supporting scholarship programs, educational institutions, and curriculum programs
Health and Human Services: 4,307 grants supporting seniors, youth development, housing and shelter, and community needs
Environment and Wildlife: 768 grants supporting environmental efforts
Arts and Culture: Through dedicated Community Impact Funds
Family Stability: Housing, employment, and basic needs support
Social Capital: Building networks, relationships, and access to opportunities
Civic Engagement: Community leadership and decision-making participation

What They Don't Fund

Direct grants to individuals (except scholarships or corporate disaster relief/financial hardship programs)
Grants or loans to small businesses
Duplication of existing programs or services by new organizations
Generally excludes: capital campaigns, debt retirement, endowments, or politically/religiously partisan projects (varies by specific program)
Geographic restrictions: Most competitive grant programs are restricted to the 13-county service area
Program-specific exclusions: Each program has unique restrictions which may include operating expenses, publications, conferences, or travel expenses

Eligibility Requirements: Qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit, governmental, educational, and religious organizations are eligible. Organizations not meeting these criteria may apply under fiscal sponsorship.

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

Cathy Bessant, President and CEO (effective January 2024)

Former Bank of America executive (nearly 40 years with the company)
Former chair of FFTC's governing board and longtime board member
On her vision: "I am honored to lead an organization that has always been very dear to me and is essential to our region's civic and community life. Charlotte and the Carolinas was, is and will always be my home. I look forward to listening to and learning from community leaders, local nonprofits, neighbors and fundholders to understand the Foundation's role in partnering to build a more dynamic and equitable future."
On shaping philanthropy: "Foundation For The Carolinas — because of its size and leadership — can shape the world of philanthropy. The question driving my work at the Foundation is, How do we take that on?"
Leadership philosophy: "There's no substitute for performance. Perform like crazy" and emphasizes "the power of empathy – whether you're trying to understand your workforce or trying to negotiate a deal."

Previous Leadership

Michael Marsicano (President and CEO, 1999-2023)

Under his leadership, FFTC's assets grew from $245 million to nearly $4 billion
On donor-directed giving: "Philanthropy is a form of freedom of speech, and I don't think any institution should be cutting off freedom of speech on fund-holders."

Board Involvement

Recent search committee members included past chair Jewell Hoover and board members Cathy Bessant, Jesse Cureton, Jada Grandy-Mock, Kelly Katterhagen, Susan Kluttz, and Ruth G. Shaw.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Find and Apply

Visit the Online Grant Center at https://fftcgrants.communityforce.com/
Search for programs using the online database to determine alignment with your work
New applicants must create an account; returning users log in with existing credentials
A sample application is available to help gather required information
Review the 2025 Competitive Grant Cycle Information document for cycle dates

Step 2: Application Submission

All applications are due at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on the designated deadline date
Applications submitted through the online portal
Grant cycles open throughout the year (varies by program)
Each program has its own priorities and requirements, though many questions are common across programs

Step 3: Review Process

Grant applications are reviewed by staff, a committee, and/or a board of directors
The review team may request additional information or conduct a site visit
The foundation is unable to provide feedback on individual applications

Step 4: Decision

A final decision is made by the board or committee
Organizations may receive full funding, partial funding, or a decline
Written notification is provided to all applicants

Step 5: Reporting

If a grant is approved, recipients must submit a report
Reports help measure program impact and confirm funds were used for the intended purpose

Decision Timeline

Typical timeframe: Final decisions are typically announced two months after the application deadline
Notification method: Written notification via email
Specific timelines may vary by program

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publish specific success rate statistics or acceptance percentages. According to their guidance, "based on your organization's match with the program's funding priorities, service area and the general volume of requests, your chances may vary." Competition is acknowledged as strong across programs.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation does not explicitly publish reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants in publicly available materials. Policies may vary by individual grant program. Contact competitivegrants@fftc.org for specific guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Foundation Guidance

Before Applying:

Review grant program investment areas and geographic guidelines carefully
Use the Online Grants Center to determine alignment between your work and one or more programs
Strongly recommended: Review the "How to Apply" section for each fund of interest
Study the sample application to gather required information in advance

Alignment with Priorities: Recent 2024 CMCF grant awards demonstrate the foundation's funding patterns:

Youth-focused programs with measurable outcomes: Do Greater Foundation received $17,500 for Creative Digital Studio providing hands-on digital creative industry experience
Evidence-based literacy and education interventions: Heart Math Tutoring received $25,000 for elementary math tutoring building foundational skills and academic confidence
Support for underserved populations: International House received $15,000 for Rising Readers Summer Literacy Camp serving Limited English Proficient students
Criminal justice and prevention programs: For The Struggle, Inc. received $40,000 for the SaluteU Program providing education and resources to youth involved with the criminal system
Mentoring programs: Big Brothers Big Sisters received $15,000 for one-to-one mentoring in Mecklenburg County
Workforce development: GardHouse received $20,000 for ten-week paid work-based learning opportunities with coaching and professional development
Immigrant and refugee services: ourBRIDGE received $30,000 for trauma-informed programs for immigrant and refugee students and parents

Strategic Considerations

Based on foundation communications and recent grants:

Geographic alignment with the 13-county service area is critical
Programs addressing multiple priority areas (e.g., education AND family stability) may have stronger positioning
The foundation values measurable impact and clear outcomes
Starting 2025, CMCF accepts general operating support applications—a significant shift that signals openness to flexible funding
Recent grants emphasize equity-focused work, particularly serving African American, Latino/a, and immigrant/refugee communities
Programs building social capital through networks, relationships, and access to opportunities align with current priorities

Application Quality

Use the foundation's terminology and language from their funding priorities
Ensure all eligibility requirements are met before applying
Applications are due precisely at noon on deadline dates—late submissions are not accepted
Be prepared for potential site visits or requests for additional information during the review process

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Scale and reach: FFTC is one of the largest community foundations in the U.S., with significant resources ($540.9 million distributed in 2023), but manages this through dozens of separate programs—identify the specific program(s) that align with your work
Geographic focus is non-negotiable: Most competitive grants are restricted to the 13-county service area spanning NC and SC; confirm geographic eligibility before investing time in applications
Multiple opportunities: With 22 public grant programs and grant cycles opening throughout the year, organizations may find multiple relevant opportunities—apply to all programs for which you meet eligibility requirements
Program-specific requirements: Each program has distinct priorities, grant ranges, and restrictions; use the Online Grants Center to research specific programs rather than assuming uniform requirements
New leadership, evolving priorities: Under Cathy Bessant's leadership (as of January 2024), the foundation is examining its role in shaping regional philanthropy and building equity; demonstrate how your work contributes to "a more dynamic and equitable future"
Two-month decision timeline: Budget your planning accordingly, as decisions typically take two months post-deadline
General operating support now available: CMCF's 2025 shift to accepting general operating support applications represents a significant opportunity for core funding, not just project-specific grants

References

Cause IQ - Foundation for the Carolinas Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/foundation-for-the-carolinas,566047886/ (Accessed December 16, 2024)
Foundation For The Carolinas - Official Website. https://www.fftc.org/ (Accessed December 16, 2024)
Foundation For The Carolinas - Apply For Grants. https://www.fftc.org/grants (Accessed December 16, 2024)
Foundation For The Carolinas - Grants and Eligibility FAQs. https://www.fftc.org/grants_faqs (Accessed December 16, 2024)
Foundation For The Carolinas - Guidelines and Application Process. https://www.fftc.org/node/363 (Accessed December 16, 2024)
Foundation For The Carolinas - Financials. https://www.fftc.org/financials (Accessed December 16, 2024)
Foundation For The Carolinas - CMCF Grant Awards 2024. https://www.fftc.org/cmcf_grant_awards_2024 (Accessed December 16, 2024)
Foundation For The Carolinas - 2025 Competitive Grant Cycle Information. https://www.fftc.org/sites/default/files/documents/Competitive_Grant_Cycle_info.pdf (Accessed December 16, 2024)
Foundation For The Carolinas - History Timeline. https://www.fftc.org/timeline (Accessed December 16, 2024)
Foundation For The Carolinas - Community Impact Funds. https://www.fftc.org/CommunityImpactFunds (Accessed December 16, 2024)
Pride Magazine - Q&A with Cathy Bessant President and CEO of Foundation For The Carolinas. https://www.pridemagazineonline.com/qa-with-cathy-bessantpresident-and-ceo-of-foundation-for-the-carolinas/ (Accessed December 16, 2024)
Charlotte Regional Business Alliance - Spotlight on: Cathy Bessant, president and CEO of Foundation For The Carolinas. https://charlotteregion.com/blog/spotlight-on-cathy-bessant-president-and-ceo-of-foundation-for-the-carolinas/ (Accessed December 16, 2024)
Inside Philanthropy - Foundation for the Carolinas. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/north-carolina-grants/foundation-for-the-carolinas (Accessed December 16, 2024)
Foundation for the Carolinas - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundation_for_the_Carolinas (Accessed December 16, 2024)
Instrumentl - Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation Grants. https://www.instrumentl.com/grants/charlotte-mecklenburg-community-foundation-family-stability and https://www.instrumentl.com/grants/charlotte-mecklenburg-community-foundation-grant (Accessed December 16, 2024)