Civic Hub Business Grants

The Civic Hub Business Grants are designed to advance a charitable purpose by investing in local civic leadership and economic resilience. Through this regranting initiative, The Industrial Commons will support 5–10 community-rooted projects, each with a budget of up to $20,000. These grants are aimed at civic entrepreneurs—businesses and organizations actively strengthening civic life across Western North Carolina.

Purpose

Whether you're fostering connection, amplifying local voices, or creating spaces of belonging, the program aims to help deepen impact on civic life.

Geographic Scope

Eligible Counties in Western North Carolina: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey.

Eligible Applicants

The following organization types are eligible to apply:

• 501(c)(3) non-profit
• Business association
• Business with charitable activities
• CDA (Community Development Association)
• CDC (Community Development Corporation)
• CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution)
• Cooperative
• Community college
• Community foundation
• Family foundation
• Fiscally sponsored project/organization
• Health foundation
• Local or tribal government

Restrictions: The grants cannot support organizations operating as or sharing staff with (501(c)(4), (c)(5), or (c)(6) organizations. This includes advocacy and policy-focused organizations. All organizations and businesses must be non-partisan and non-political.

Selection Criteria

Selection is informed by these key characteristics:

• Embedded in Community: Lives within the communities they serve
• Community-led Action: Leads or supports community members to identify problems and work towards solutions
• Bridge Builders: Builds and strengthens community networks by regranting, connecting people to resources, supporting new ideas, leveraging digital tools, and working across sectors
• Inclusive: Brings together the voices, views, experiences, and participation of the entire community
• Long Lasting: Focuses on programs that create long-lasting civic infrastructure and a thriving community that all residents feel welcome to participate in
• Community Champions: Identifies and celebrates the solutions, innovations, and programs doing great work

Selection Process

All grant applications will be reviewed and evaluated by a diverse steering committee composed of community leaders, partner representatives, and TIC staff. This committee will thoughtfully assess each proposal to ensure funding is awarded to projects that best align with the program's goals and values.

Funding Source

This regranting initiative is made possible by support from Trust for Civic Life, which funds a wide range of non-partisan entrepreneurs, programs, organizations and innovative digital leaders who play a key role in their local and regional civic ecosystems.

Status

The 2025 Civic Hubs Business Grants Recipients have been announced.