Cabarrus County Community Foundation Grant Cycle

The Cabarrus County Community Foundation Grant Cycle aims to enhance local initiatives through competitive grantmaking. The Foundation prioritizes projects that address community needs in areas such as Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Health, and Housing. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and educational institutions serving Cabarrus County residents. Note that applications for specific food-related programs will not be accepted this year, as the focus is on sustainable food options and nutrition.

Description
The mission of the Cabarrus County Community Foundation is to inspire philanthropy and strengthen our community by supporting initiatives that address local needs and providing quality services to donors and constituents.
The Board of Trustees supports their mission through the annual competitive grantmaking program. The Foundation is an investor in the community and is interested in creating the highest possible levels of community gain, focused on improving the lives of Cabarrus County citizens.
Result and Investment Areas
Grant dollars are available through the Cabarrus County Community Foundation's Endowment Fund and the York Cress Fund advised by the Board. The result and investment areas below reflect the Board’s focus for this year’s grant program.
Priority will be given to requests for projects and programs that address a community need. Eligible organizations are expected to address one of the following result areas:

• Arts & Culture
• People of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds have access to and actively participate in cultural experiences
• Education

Children enter school ready to learnAn increased number of youth at-risk of dropping out stay in school and achieve Children and youth exhibit positive behaviors during out of school hours and are motivated to stay in school  Displaced individuals are trained or retrained for a new career and capable of job seeking to reenter the work force
Environment
People of all ages have access to interact with nature and the environment.
Health
Individuals suffering from dementia or a debilitating illness caused by agingPeople suffering from mental illness, substance use or physical disabilities have accessible medical services to stay productive members of their communityPeople maintain healthy nutrition and/or engage in regular physical activity **People have access to basic preventative health care as part of a comprehensive health care plan to reduce risk of preventable and potentially chronic diseasesVictims of domestic or sexual violence have access to a safe place, receive medical treatment and feel protected
Housing
Emergency shelter is available for the chronically and situational homeless, including children, and assists those served in securing stable housingFormerly homeless families, including children, and individuals get and maintain safe, quality, and affordable housing for an extended period of time

Eligibility

Grants must be awarded to eligible organizations including 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, congregations, governmental and educational institutions for projects that will serve the residents of Cabarrus County. If the organization conducting the project is not an eligible organization, a grant can be applied for under the fiscal sponsorship of an eligible organization.

Ineligibility

The following areas do not fall within Cabarrus County Community Foundation’s current funding priorities:Capital campaign requestsDebt retirement/deficit funding or expenses incurred prior to grant award decisionsDirect support of individuals (e.g. scholarships, hardship)Duplication of existing programs or services Endowment fundsGeneral operating supportTravel and conferencesPublication of booksProjects that are typically the funding responsibility of federal, state or local governmentProjects that promote political or religious viewsPolitical or lobbying activitiesSponsorships or fundraisers