• NC charities provide programs in rural and urban communities.North Carolina state contour against blurred USA flag image by Stasys Eidiejus from Fotolia.com
  
  According to NC Gives, 3,005 foundations were located in North Carolina in 2005 with combined assets of more than $13 million. The number of foundations in North Carolina increased 208 percent from 1997 to 2005. In addition to its private and corporate foundations, North Carolina has dozens of community foundations that manage thousands of charitable trusts and funds in the state's 100 counties. Foundations award grants to 501(c)(3) organizations that respond to need in North Carolina's communities and seek to improve the lives of its residents.
  
  

Cannon Foundation

• The Cannon Foundation awards grants throughout North Carolina, but most of its grants are made in Cabarrus County. The foundation supports programs in rural areas and programs that fall under its primary focus areas: human services, healthcare and higher education. The foundation also provides limited support for religion, historic preservation and the environment. The foundation prefers to award grants for capital projects and one-time projects. Nonprofit organizations may submit a grant application by the deadlines: the 5th of the month in January, April, July and October.
  
  Executive Director
  The Cannon Foundation, Inc.
  P. O. Box 548
  Concord, NC 28026
  704-786-8216
  cannonfoundation.org
  
  

Cemala Foundation

• The Cemala Foundation awards grants to 501(c)(3) organizations that operate programs in Guilford County. The foundation's areas of interest include early childhood development, education, arts and culture, leadership development and the environment. The foundation awards project grants, general operating support grants and emergency operating support grants. Applicants must be nonprofit organizations or government agencies. The foundation requires completion of an online application. Application deadlines are March and September 1.
  
  Cemala Foundation
  330 South Greene St., Suite 101
  Greensboro NC 27401
  336-274-3541
  cemala.org
  
  

Cherokee Preservation Foundation

• The Cherokee Preservation Foundation awards large grants, over $20,000, for projects, preservation and civic enhancement. Small grants, under $20,000, are awarded to support planning, capacity and project. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) organizations and are located on the Qualla Boundary; on other tribal land of the Easter Band of Cherokee Indians (ECBI). Or they provide services which benefit the people of the EBCI in those areas. The foundation provides grants to support up to 50 percent of a project budget. Applications must be mailed to the foundation.
  
  Cherokee Preservation Foundation
  71 John Crowe Hill Rd.
  P.O. Box 504
  Cherokee, NC 28719
  888-886-8524
  cherokeepreservationfdn.org
  
  

Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust

• The trust awards grants to 501(c)(3) organizations through its two divisions: the healthcare division and the poor and needy of Forsyth County. The trust funds healthcare projects that focus on treatment, prevention and improvement in healthcare quality for the disadvantaged. The poor and needy division supports programs that assist the poor in meeting basic needs and developing self-reliance, and programs that improve the quality of healthcare.
  
  Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust
  128 Reynolda Village
  Winston-Salem, NC 27106
  336-397-5500
  kbr.org
  
  

Open Grants Program, Golden LEAF Foundation

• The Golden LEAF Foundation (Long-Term Economic Advancement Foundation) awards grants to 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental agencies. Applicants may submit letters of inquiry any time during the year and are encouraged to contact the foundation to discuss projects. The foundation focuses on improving the economy in economically distressed and rural communities, especially communities that have been dependent on tobacco farming. The Open Grants Program focuses on job creation and retention, workforce preparation and agriculture.
  
  The Golden LEAF Foundation
  301 N. Winstead Avenue
  Rocky Mount, NC 27804
  252-442-7474
  goldenleaf.org