The Longleaf Fund Grant

The Longleaf Fund Grant supports capital projects aimed at enhancing the lives of at-risk children and youth across the Carolinas. Focusing on building accessible play spaces, promoting educational technology, and improving environments for children with disabilities, this grant encourages community engagement and collaboration. Eligible projects must be completed within 12-18 months and demonstrate significant community support. The fund prioritizes initiatives that address the needs of vulnerable populations and can secure additional funding.

Background
The Longleaf Fund’s program invests in capital projects to strengthen the character and achievement of at-risk children and youth in communities across the Carolinas. Teaming together with strong nonprofit partners, Longleaf Fund grants encourage communities to reach higher and create opportunities for a brighter future for its youth. The Longleaf Fund is an anonymous donor advised fund at Foundation For The Carolinas (FFTC).
Investment Areas
Longleaf Fund grants have a particular emphasis on one-time capital projects that fall within one of the following three areas:
Build community and increase daily physical activity by building or enhancing age-appropriate, accessible space for play, sports and recreational activitiesPromote learning, especially for at-risk youth, with a particular emphasis on creating or improving access to technologyEnhance the quality of life for children, ages 0-18, with disabilities (physical and/or mental) by improving their educational or physical environment and developing the children’s physical capabilities
Type of funding available:

• Capital projects, including

buildings & structures, athletic fields, climbing walls, parks serving children, playgrounds, camp facilities with an emphasis on sports and active lifestyle and other indoor and outdoor recreational facilities; sports equipment, including adaptive sports equipment for disabled children
Education technology projects, including:

• refurbishing or building computer labs and other physical spaces supporting the use of technology; hardware, software, printers and technological devices
• Adaptive equipment and/or assistive technology

Eligibility

Grants are limited to organizations for projects in or serving populations in at least one of the following five cities: Charlotte, NC; Fayetteville, NC; Rocky Mount, NC; Florence, SC and Spartanburg, SC.Although grants have typically been awarded for projects that have secured a majority of their funding, the Committee may consider requests that are greater than 50% of the project budget on a case-by-case basis.The Committee will only review applications from organizations that have conducted a recent audit. Eligible projects must be scheduled for completion within 12-18 months from grant award date in order to be considered for a 2025 grant.Applicants must qualify as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code or be classified as a unit of government, congregation or educational institution.

Ineligibility

Longleaf Fund grants are not awarded as the total means of financial support, but in conjunction with other sources of funding. Areas Not Funded:General operating budgetVehiclesEndowmentsDirect support of individualsScholarships to private or parochial schoolsTravel and conferencesPublication of booksDebt reduction / retirement