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For Nonprofits

Grant Information

Cumberland Community Foundation does not have any open grant cycles at this time. In the meantime, we are pleased to provide the information below for future reference.

Many donors have created endowments as a legacy of their family or a memorial for a loved one. The unrestricted or broad area of interest endowments support the Community Grants Program.  Click here to view a list of recent Community Grants: click here. 

Please follow us on social media and check our website periodically for updates on upcoming opportunities. Please email Info@CumberlandCF.Org to sign up for Grantseeker Information sessions to learn more about the Foundation and our grantmaking. 

Grants are available from CCF's Unrestricted Endowment Funds for:

  • Programs that will improve the quality of life in Cumberland County, NC, 
  • Community-wide initiatives,  
  • Projects that will leverage community resources for long term impact, and
  • Innovative projects that will address community needs with long term solutions. 

Grants are available from Field-of Interest Endowment Funds for:

Healthy Community
Priority will be given to programs that:

  • Are evidence-based (scientifically proven), and 
  • Improve children's health, and/or 
  • Support disease prevention (specifically STDs, obesity, chronic disease, and substance abuse).

Education 
Priority will be given to programs that:

  • Are evidence-based (scientifically proven), and
  • Focus on Pre-K through 3rd grade literacy, and 
  • Are delivered by educational institutions or the library system. 

The Arts 
Priority will be given to programs that increase access to visual arts or performing arts.

Quality of Life for Seniors 
Grants are available to programs that increase the quality of life for seniors with priority given to programs that address transportation issues, social isolation, and/or hunger. 

Environment 
Grants are available to programs in the field of environmental education and research, including but not limited to:

  • Development and implementation of educational programs that will increase awareness of and focus attention on the environment and the need to preserve, protect and improve it.
  • Financial assistance for organizations conducting basic or applied research in the environmental sciences.  
  • Programs that support a balanced preservation of the ecological, historical, and archaeological characteristics of the Cape Fear River Basin, as well as educational efforts and public participation.

Women and Girls
Grants are available to programs that improve the lives of women and girls by supporting charitable programs, projects, and events that enable women and/or girls to improve their life circumstances through long term, transformative change. (See additional instructions available from CCF grants staff.) 

Quality of Life for Low Income Families 
Grants are available to help raise the quality of life for low-income people through a variety of programs, including Arts, Community Development, Education, Health & Human Services, Senior Citizens, and Youth Development. 

Innovative Projects for Community Progress
Grants are available for innovative projects and programs in the Cumberland County area with priority given to community collaborations that address root causes of issues, capacity building, and systems change. 

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Grantseeker Information Meetings 

This meeting is designed to help nonprofit organizations learn about funding opportunities, eligibility, and application guidelines. The meeting includes a demonstration of the online grant application. Organizations are not required to attend; however, attendance is recommended.

Eligibility for Community Grants   

Guidelines and eligibility for application to unrestricted and field-of-interest endowment grants:

  • Organizations must have met all reporting and communications requirements on previous Community Grants to be eligible to apply.
  • Organizations must be located and provide services in Cumberland County, North Carolina.
  • Organizations must qualify as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be a qualified unit of government which includes Native American tribal governments.
  • Organizations must not discriminate on the basis of age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, physical ability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or religious beliefs.

The following are not eligible for application for Community Grants:

  • Organizations for re-granting purposes
  • Event sponsorships
  • Grants to individuals
  • Deficit budgets
  • Projects promoting political views
  • Scholarships awards (Visit the Scholarships page of this website) 
  • Faith organizations (This restriction applies only to Community Grants from unrestricted and field-of-interest endowments. Donors often support their churches or temples through their donor advised funds and their designated endowment funds.) 

Priority will go to 501(c)3 charitable organizations with governing boards located in Cumberland County, NC that are managed according to the Principles & Practices for Nonprofit Excellence published by the NC Center for Nonprofits.