2023 Grant Cycle Information
Below you will find Grant Cycle information from the New Hanover Community Endowment.
Eligibility Criteria
Without exception, each of the following are required to be considered for a grant:
- Be organized as:
- a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization,
- a public/governmental entity, or
- a nonprofit group with fiscal sponsorship from a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.
- Demonstrate alignment with one or more of the Endowment’s strategic pillars: Education, Social and Health Equity, Community Safety, and Community Development, and with the Endowment’s strategic plan.
- Provide audited financial statements for the most recently completed fiscal year or two years of operating budgets for your organization.
- Provide a verified Internal Revenue Service Form 990 for the most recent fiscal year.
– This may be a 990-N, 990-EZ, or 990. - Have a mailing address and provide services in New Hanover County.
Application Process
Opens: September 1, 2023
Closes: September 22, 2023
Applications will be accepted through Fluxx, the Endowment’s grants management portal. Returning applicants will already have a profile. New applicants will need to create one. The Endowment team will reach out with log in instructions after the public meeting.
Application Assistance
Please reach out – we want to support you in the application process!
Here’s how to reach us:
Email: information@nhcendowment.org
Call: 910-756-5990
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) will be updated regularly as we gather questions and feedback from our community.
Other options: The NHCE team will have dedicated office hours for meetings, hold information sessions and offer webinars during August and September. Dates and times are TBD and will be found on our website and announced through our social media channels.
General 2023 Grants Cycle Questions
Strategic Grant Proposals must fall within the following Opportunity Areas. Please click here for more specific information.
- Healthcare Workforce Pathway – Community Development
- Early Childhood Education & Workforce – Education
- Affordable Housing – Community Development
- Youth Crime/Violence Prevention – Community Safety
- K-12 Educator Workforce Development – Community Development
- Health & Healthcare Access – Social & Health Equity
Responsive grant applications in alignment with the Endowment’s strategic plan will also be considered for one-year, non-renewable, funding. Responsive grants can be used to build organizational capacity.
Strategic grants are more focused on goals and a defined set of strategies for how we want to accomplish those goals.
Responsive grants enable us to be flexible and may serve immediate and/or emerging needs within our four pillars of education, social and health equity, community safety and community development.
Applications can be submitted from September 1, 2023 12:00 am ET through September 22, 2023 11:59pm ET.
All applications must be submitted through the NHCE grants management system. Applications submitted through any other means will not be considered.
The Endowment has established a preferred range but will thoughtfully evaluate all proposals.
Each award will have individually determined reporting requirements, which will be laid out in the grant agreement.
We ask that all information be submitted through our grants portal. Please do not contact board members to discuss individual proposals, as that may constitute a conflict of interest.
NHCE will consider grants for project/program, capacity building, and capital funding.
- August 9, 2023: Grant Cycle Announced
- September 1, 2023: Grant Application Opens 12:00am ET
- September 22, 2023: Grant Application Closes 11:59pm ET
- October-November: Evaluation Period
- Early December: Grantees Notified and Announced
Eligibility
Without exception, each of the following are required to be considered for a grant:
- Be organized as:
- a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization,
- a public/governmental entity, or
- a nonprofit group with fiscal sponsorship from a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.
- Demonstrate alignment with one or more of the Endowment’s strategic pillars: Education, Health and Social Equity, Community Safety, and Community Development, and with the Endowment’s strategic plan.
- Provide audited financial statements for the most recent fiscal year or two years of operating budgets for your organization.
- Provide a verified Internal Revenue Service Form 990 for the most recent fiscal year.
-
- This may be a 990-N, 990-EZ, or 990.
-
- Have a mailing address and provide services in New Hanover County.
Basic eligibility criteria are determined based on federal and state regulations, the Endowment’s founding documents, and the board of directors.
NHCE does not make grants to for-profit organizations, programs operated for the benefit of for-profit organizations, political campaigns, individuals, fundraising events, projects outside of New Hanover County, programs that Programs that require membership in a certain religion or advance a particular religious faith, and endowments.
The Endowment does not award grants to organizations that willfully discriminate against a particular class of individuals. To be eligible for funding, organizations must abide by all applicable local, state, and federal anti-discrimination laws in hiring, employment practices and when providing services.
While each application will be evaluated, there is no guarantee of funding.
Application
The application type you will need to complete is based on the type of funding you are applying for: Strategic or Responsive
- Strategic Funding Opportunities – Funding for strategic grant opportunities are requests for an amount greater than $250,000 in one of the categories below. Multi-year requests will be considered.
- Healthcare Workforce Pathway
- Early Childhood Education & Workforce
- Affordable Housing
- Youth Crime/Violence Prevention
- K-12 Educator Workforce Development
- Health & Healthcare Access
- Responsive Funding Opportunities in alignment with the Endowment’s strategic plan will also be considered for one-year, non-renewable funding. Funding for responsive grant opportunities will not be in excess of $250,000, or 50% of an organization’s operating budget for the most recently completed fiscal year. We encourage applicants to ask for what they need rather than defaulting to the maximum grant amount.
We will be organizing informational meetings, webinars, and application assistance sessions for organizations throughout the months of August and September. Dates will be posted on our website and shared through our social media channels.
Yes. We ask that organizations describe all proposed projects within one application.
Yes, organizations can submit more than one application. However, we encourage you to reach out to Endowment program staff in advance to discuss.
All applications will be thoughtfully reviewed and evaluated based on individual merit.
No. We will publish the grant application on September 1.
If you run out of room when filling out the application or you have additional materials you would like to attach to support your application, please attach them in the upload documents portion of the application and label them for clarity.
Funding
Strategic Opportunities will be individually considered based on the project scope. No project may exceed 50% of the applying organization’s operating budget for the most recently completed fiscal year.
Responsive Funding amounts may not exceed either 50% of an organization’s operating budget, or $250,000, whichever number is lesser.
Strategic Grant Recipients will have individual timelines determined by their project, scope, and goals.
Responsive Grant Recipients will have until 12/31/2024 to expend the funds.
Yes. Projects may be funded in full or in part after evaluation and discussion by the Endowment team.
Yes. If a proposal is not funded, please reach out, and the Endowment staff will schedule time to offer feedback.
No; however, the Endowment programs staff will be happy to discuss your application with you if you are not selected for funding.
Fiscal Sponsorship
Please take a look at these resources below to learn more about being a fiscal sponsor.
An organization may serve as fiscal sponsors for multiple other organizations. All proposals will be evaluated individually.
When applying through a fiscal sponsor, an organization may apply for up to 50% of the fiscal sponsor’s operating budget.
Please provide information for the applicant organization, which in this case is the fiscally sponsored organization.
Registering for the Grantee Portal FAQs
Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, public/governmental entity, or nonprofit group with a 501(c)(3) sponsorship can register for the Grantee Portal so long as they are not already registered and they meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the eligibility quiz at registration.
No, the NHCE registered your organization and primary contact from the inaugural grant cycle into the Grantee Portal for you. Please verify that the information entered for your organization and contacts is accurate and complete.
No, once you and your organization are registered in the Grantee Portal, you do not need to register again.
- To register for the Grantee Portal, go to the following link: https://nhcendowment.fluxx.io/lois/new.
- Complete the eligibility quiz to determine if you are eligible to apply.
- If you are eligible, fill out the subsequent organization and contact information forms and click submit.
- You will then receive an email notifying you if your registration was approved. If it was, you will receive login instructions in the email.
The primary contact for an organization should be the main point of contact to receive all communications related to applications, grants, reports, etc. in the Grantee Portal.
Please make sure the primary contact listed in your registration form would be the appropriate person for these responsibilities.
Please wait to receive an email from the Endowment notifying you if your organization was approved.
Logging Into the Grantee Portal FAQs
To log into the Grantee Portal, click here. When you get to the login page, enter your username (email address) and password and click the ‘Sign in’ button to access your Grantee Portal.
Your username is the email address you provided at registration.
If you forgot your password, please click here.
Please ensure that you are using a supported browser for the Grantee Portal on a laptop or desktop computer for best results and ensure your browser is up-to-date. Supported browsers include:
- Chrome
- Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Opera
You do not need to start a new application. The application you began is located in the ‘Draft Requests’ link in the Grantee Portal under the ‘REQUESTS’ heading in the left-hand panel menu. When you click the link, you should see the application(s) you previously started, but have not yet submitted. Click on the appropriate application and click the ‘Edit’ button in the top right corner (to the left of the printer icon) to continue working on your application.
Organization & Contact Management FAQs
If your organization’s information needs to be updated in the Grantee Portal, please contact our Grants Manager by clicking here.
To change any of your contact information, please contact our Grants Manager by clicking here.
If you’d like to add other employees to your Grantee Portal, have them register via the registration form. Our team will ensure their profile is connected to your organization.
Please contact the Grants Manager for assistance with ensuring the proper user is set up as the primary contact in the Grantee Portal.
General Grantee Portal FAQs
You can navigate the Grantee Portal by clicking on the options in the left-side panel of your home screen. There are also instructions on basic navigation of the system on the welcome page of the Portal.
If you encounter technical issues or have other questions regarding the Grantee Portal itself, please contact our Grants Manager by clicking here.
Yes, please click here to schedule office hours with our Grants Manager.
Application Walkthrough Videos
Registration
Logging In
Walkthrough
Responsive Walkthrough
Strategic Walkthrough
Strategic Grant Opportunities
Healthcare Workforce Pathway – Community Development
Why: By 2025, North Carolina is projected to confront a shortage of approximately 13,000 nurses, ranking it the second highest in the nation. New Hanover County is not exempt, making it crucial to focus on training, attracting, and retaining healthcare professionals.
Who: The Endowment is seeking partners who share the mission of training and retaining positions in the healthcare sector, considering the talent needs of local employers.
Early Childhood Education & Workforce – Education
Why: The basis for all future learning, behavior, and health is formed from birth to age 8. A strong foundation equips children with the necessary skills to become well-adjusted adults. New Hanover County has the potential to establish the best and most comprehensive early childhood education system in the state.
Who: The Endowment is seeking partners to develop robust early childhood learning strategies, including new childcare centers, enhancing wrap-around services, implementing innovative techniques, and sustaining a skilled workforce.
Affordable Housing – Community Development
Why: More than half of renters and slightly more than a third of homeowners in New Hanover County suffer from a high housing burden, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on their home. Homeownership is a path to generational wealth, but the barriers to buying even a starter house are almost insurmountable. There is also a shortage of options for those who need supportive housing. Disparities in housing affordability and quality have negative impacts on health outcomes.
Who: The Endowment seeks to invest with partners to support workforce and supportive housing strategies that maintain or promote enduring stability. Projects or programs may include those that address sustainable workforce housing, youth aging out of the foster care system, unhoused residents, residents returning from incarceration, residents with individual and developmental disabilities, residents escaping domestic violence, and residents aging in place.
Youth Crime/Violence Prevention – Community Safety
Why: New Hanover County reduced youth violence and improved graduation rates by almost 30% over the last three years. But high school dropouts still make up 70% of people in the county jail. Investing in comprehensive programs like mentoring, mental health counseling, vocational training, job placement services, and conflict resolution improves youth development.
Who: The Endowment seeks projects that support programs that address trauma through counseling, mental health services, and alternative justice models that focus on healing and rehabilitation. It also seeks to provide platforms for youth to have a voice in the design and implementation of programs, and promote collaboration among government agencies, law enforcement, schools, and nonprofits.
K-12 Educator Workforce Development – Community Development
Why: Educators play a critical role in the success of their students, impacting not only academics but also affecting long-term outcomes such as higher education participation and economic attainment. Given the diverse student population, educators are compelled to address a wide range of issues, including food insecurity and mental health, making them a primary gateway into the community.
Who: The Endowment seeks partnerships with organizations whose mission is to support public K-12 education through workforce development, and initiatives focused on improving K-12 education outcomes, increasing college and workforce readiness, and closing the achievement gap.
Health & Healthcare Access – Social & Health Equity
Why: Access to comprehensive and high-quality healthcare is crucial for maintaining good health by preventing and managing diseases. Health is closely linked to healthy food options, safe transportation, and green spaces. Creating a comprehensive system that addresses both healthcare and the social determinants of health is essential to building a strong community.
Who: The Endowment is seeking projects to address access to quality healthcare such as home health, and non-emergent access points of care. We are also seeking partners who support the county’s uninsured, underinsured, and under-resourced residents.