North Carolina Community Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $26 million+ (2024)
Decision Time: Approximately 8 weeks
Grant Range: $500 - $5,000+ (varies by affiliate program)
Geographic Focus: 60 counties across North Carolina (primarily rural communities)
Total Assets: $460+ million
Number of Awards: 642 grants awarded in 2024

Contact Details

Website: https://www.nccommunityfoundation.org/

Main Office: Raleigh, NC

Phone: Contact information available through website

Email: Contact forms available on website

Overview

Established in 1988, the North Carolina Community Foundation (NCCF) is a statewide foundation that brings together generous people and connects them to causes and organizations they care about, with a particular focus on inspiring lasting and meaningful philanthropy in North Carolina's rural communities. With $460 million in assets, NCCF sustains nearly 1,300 endowments and partners with donors and a network of 53 affiliate foundations serving 60 counties across the state. Since its founding, NCCF has awarded over $338 million in grants and scholarships. In 2024 alone, NCCF's philanthropic network distributed more than $26 million to support education, housing, food insecurity, the environment, arts, health, and other vital areas. The foundation operates at a grassroots level through its affiliate network, promoting local solutions to local problems by working within communities to establish unrestricted endowment funds. NCCF has achieved the highest standard for philanthropic excellence in the community foundation sector.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

NCCF operates through a network of 53 local affiliate foundations that each offer annual application-based grant programs. Grant amounts and focus areas vary by affiliate:

Wake County Community Foundation: $500 - $1,000 typical grants, with up to two "Impact Grants" of $2,500 maximum (Applications accepted June 27 - July 29 annually)
New Hanover County Community Foundation: $500 - $5,000, with larger amounts considered for significant impact projects (applications accepted at specific times)
Women's Fund of North Carolina: $1,500 - $5,000 (specialized program for women and girls)
Louise Oriole Burevitch Endowment: Competitive grants for eastern North Carolina nonprofits (has awarded over $9 million total)
Ashe County Community Foundation: Various grant amounts for local nonprofits

Applications are accepted through an online portal with fixed deadlines that vary by affiliate program. Most affiliate programs have annual application cycles with deadlines between February and July. Applications are due at NOON EDT on the closing date, and late submissions cannot be accepted.

Priority Areas

Community grantmaking funds a broad range of purposes to meet local needs including:

Human Services & Basic Needs: Food insecurity, housing, social services
Education: K-12 education, youth development, educational initiatives
Health: Health services, mental health support
Arts & Culture: Arts programs, historical preservation
Environment & Animals: Environmental conservation, animal welfare
Recreation: Community recreation programs

The foundation also administers hundreds of scholarship opportunities, awarding over $3 million to 500+ students annually.

What They Don't Fund

Private non-operating foundations (only 501(c)(3) public charities are eligible)
Organizations without IRS determination letters (must have received final approval)
Annual fund and capital campaigns (through competitive grant programs)
General operating support for religious entities (religious organizations may apply for project-specific funding supporting charitable outreach to the broader community, but funding cannot be limited to promoting a specific religion)
Organizations serving counties outside NCCF's affiliate network
Organizations that discriminate based on age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, physical ability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or religious belief

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO

Jennifer Tolle Whiteside has led NCCF for over 15 years, more than doubling the foundation's assets and grantmaking during her tenure. Whiteside emphasizes the importance of local knowledge and community engagement: "Our network of local affiliate advisory board members knows the needs and truly cares about what's happening in their communities." On funder responsibility, she has stated, "As funders we need to ensure we're not asking for too much in return."

Board Leadership

John Willingham, Chair of the Board (11th chair, elected from 2023; board member since 2016) - President of Indera Mills, a division of Intradeco Apparel Inc.
Katharine "Kack" Harrison Hardin, former Chair (served 2023)
Mary W. Willis, Treasurer

Board Members

The Board includes community and business leaders from across North Carolina, including Peter Bristow (President, First Citizens Bank), Steve W. Wangerin, Tim Nicholls (Founder, Nicholls & Crampton), Todd Sears (CEO and Founder, Out Leadership), Bob Kornegay, and Caryn McNeill.

Key Staff

Wilson Simmons, CFO
Various Vice Presidents overseeing philanthropic services, people & culture, and operational areas

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through an online portal available at nccommunityfoundation.org. The specific application process varies by affiliate foundation and grant program.

Before Applying:

Research the specific affiliate foundation serving your county to understand their grantmaking priorities
Review guidelines carefully - different programs may target specific areas, capacity building, organizations with certain budget ranges, or have other permissions and restrictions
Failure to adhere to guidelines will result in application being declined
Only organizations with 501(c)(3) public charity status are eligible (or those with fiscal sponsors that are 501(c)(3) public charities)

Application Deadlines: Each of the 53 affiliate foundations has its own annual application cycle with specific deadlines. A comprehensive calendar is available on NCCF's website showing all deadlines. Common deadline periods include February-April and June-July. Applications are due at NOON EDT on the closing date, and NCCF cannot accept late submissions, including those delayed by technology issues.

Application Method: Rolling basis not available - fixed annual deadlines for each affiliate program.

Decision Timeline

Typical timeframe: In most cases, grant decisions are announced approximately two months after the close of the application cycle (approximately 8 weeks).

Notification: Applicants are notified of decisions through the online portal and direct communication.

Success Rates

In 2024, NCCF awarded 642 grants from its various programs. In 2023, there were 717 awards, and in 2022, there were 580 awards. Specific success rates (percentage of applications funded) are not publicly disclosed and likely vary significantly by affiliate program and funding cycle.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented in available materials. Applicants should consult with the specific affiliate foundation they are applying to for guidance on reapplication eligibility and any waiting periods.

Application Success Factors

According to NCCF's guidance, the most successful applications "speak to both the heart and the head of the committee" and include both compelling descriptions and solid technical information.

Critical Success Factors:

Answer the Questions Directly: Make sure you are specifically answering what is being asked. Follow the application format carefully.
Adhere to Guidelines: Read the guidelines thoroughly before applying. Different community grantmaking programs may seek applications for certain target areas, capacity building, organizations with operating budgets within a specified range, or have other specific criteria. Failure to follow guidelines will result in automatic decline.
Understand the Specific Program: It is important for interested applicants to learn about the grantmaking of the specific community program to which they are applying. Each affiliate has its own priorities and focus areas.
Balance Emotion and Data: Successful applications combine compelling storytelling about community impact with solid technical information, budgets, and measurable outcomes.
Demonstrate Local Impact: Since NCCF emphasizes local solutions to local problems through its affiliate network, clearly demonstrate how your project addresses specific needs in your county or community.
Show Community Knowledge: Applications benefit from demonstrating understanding of local needs and how your organization is positioned to address them. Remember that advisory boards are comprised of local community members who know their areas well.

Recent Grant Examples:

Simply Girls, Inc. (Dunn): $5,000 for general operating support for after-school and summer enrichment programming for girls ages 5-18
Abundant Life Community Services, Inc. (New Bern): $5,000 for Single Moms Empowerment Series including personal finance curriculum
Ashe County nonprofits: $14,640 distributed across organizations supporting arts education, animal welfare, childhood cancer support, and caregiver programs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Apply to the right affiliate: NCCF operates through 53 local affiliates - identify which affiliate serves your county and understand their specific priorities and grant ranges
Timeline matters: Applications are due at noon EDT on deadline dates with no exceptions for late submissions; decisions typically come 8 weeks later
Balance heart and head: The foundation explicitly states successful applications combine compelling narratives with solid technical data
Follow guidelines exactly: Non-compliance with guidelines results in automatic decline - read thoroughly before applying
Know your affiliate's board: Local advisory boards comprise community members who understand local needs - demonstrate your local knowledge and impact
Grant amounts vary significantly: Research your specific affiliate program's typical grant range (from $500 to $5,000+) to ensure appropriate request
Eligibility is strict: Must be 501(c)(3) public charity (not private foundation) with IRS determination letter already received; religious organizations can only apply for project-specific charitable outreach, not general operating support

References

All sources accessed December 2025