Chowan Community Funds Foundation Unrestricted Endowment Grant Program

Chowan Community Funds Foundation Unrestricted Endowment Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: North Carolina Community Foundation Inc
Amount: US $1,000 - US $5,000
Last Updated: February 14, 2026

Summary

The Chowan Community Funds Foundation offers the Unrestricted Endowment Grant Program to support local causes in Chowan County. Established in 2006, this foundation enables nonprofits to address changing community needs through grants ranging from $500 to $5,000. Eligible organizations include tax-exempt charities and local government units. Notably, the program prioritizes initiatives that enhance community life, promote social equity, and support diverse populations without discrimination.

Overview

About Chowan Community Funds Foundation The Chowan Community Funds Foundation is a growing family of philanthropic funds, source of grants for local causes and partner for donors. CCFF was founded in 2006 and is led by a local volunteer advisory board that helps build community assets through the creation of permanent endowments, makes grants and leverages leadership – all for the benefit of Chowan County. The CCFF, through the NC Community Foundation, makes it easy to become a philanthropist, whatever your means or charitable goals. You can open an endowment for your favorite cause at any time – or contribute to an existing fund in any amount. The CCFF board advises the Chowan County Community Fund, the unrestricted community grantmaking fund, to support local needs. This competitive grants program is held annually. Because advisory board members live and work in Chowan County, they can leverage resources to help meet local needs and access opportunities. Chowan Community Unrestricted Endowment This fund enables the Chowan County Community Foundation to respond to changing community needs and to enhance the quality of community life within the county through annual grants to local nonprofit organizations. Much of the affiliates grantmaking comes from the Ann L. Sams Endowment Fund, which supports specific charitable uses such as historic preservation of public places in Chowan County, improvement of public housing for the working poor in Chowan County, educational efforts for migrant workers in Chowan County, land conservation/preservation in Chowan County and in Northeastern North Carolina, improvement of local medical care/facilities in Chowan County and unrestricted charitable needs elsewhere in eastern North Carolina. Funding Grants typically range from $500 to $5,000.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. An organization must meet the following criteria to apply:Organizations must be qualified as tax-exempt public charities under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be classified as a unit of local government (including public schools). An exception is made to include fire and rescue departments. If your organization operates as a 501 (c)(3) public charity via a fiscal agent, your application's supporting documentation must include a letter from the fiscal agent organization that verifies the relationship and includes when the relationship was established. Religious entities, including churches, congregations and other houses of worship, and/or faith-based organizations whose core functions/operations promote a specific religious doctrine or are restricted to members of a particular faith may apply for funding to support social outreach and charitable service programs to benefit the community-at-large, but they may not apply for general operating support. Only those organizations that serve the counties within our affiliate network will be considered. If an organization serves multiple counties within our network, that organization may complete a separate application for each of those affiliates. Organizations must offer programs and services without discrimination based on age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, physical ability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or religious belief. General operating support is funding that an organization uses for its core/general operations which allows the organization to continue to operate and meet its mission. Grants for this purpose may be used for any cost that keeps the organization operating, unless otherwise restricted at the time of the grant, which generally permits some flexibility for the grantee. Program/project support is funding for specific, mission-related programs or projects/initiatives that the organization is undertaking. Grants for this purpose only cover costs directly related to the program/project for which the application is made. Your organization may apply for grants in any of the affiliate programs, if your organization serves the counties of that affiliate. In addition, your organization may also apply for more than one project within a grant cycle for an individual affiliate; however, in those circumstances, it is best to communicate with the NCCF Regional Director for that affiliate as to which project is your priority in case the board is only able to fund one. Grant recipients have one year from the date of the grant to spend funds awarded by NCCF affiliates.

Ineligibility

Grants are not awarded for:Annual fund or capital campaigns Political purposes or lobbying Programs and/or activities that are restricted to members of a faith community or promote a specific religious doctrine Loans Reimbursements This program does not support reimbursement of costs incurred prior to the deadline for submission of your application. Your request may only include costs that will occur in the future, after the submission deadline of the application. Individuals Re-granting by the applicant organization General operating support for religious entities