Community Grants

The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation proudly announced the re-launch of the Community Grant program in 2020! The Community Grant Program, spearheaded through the credit union chapter network, provides grants to small non-profits in local communities.

From 2005-2009, the Foundation provided nearly $1 million in grants to small non-profits in North Carolina and South Carolina through the Community Grant Program. The once named Micro Community Grant Program helped: foster children get clothes, shoes and socks; runaways and troubled teens get counseling and straighten out their lives; abused children as well as disadvantaged mothers and children find a place where they can feel safe and learn to love and express themselves again; and sick or disabled children simply find joy in new experiences.

The Carolinas Foundation is now awarding non-profits selected by credit union Chapters up to $2,500 Community Grants, matching fundraising efforts. That means that if a Chapter raises or donates $2,500 for a local non-profit, the Foundation will match that amount! These grants are donations to vital community non-profits and furthers the credit union philosophy of “people-helping-people.” Carolinas Foundation Community Grants will support youth initiatives including those focused on:

  • Improving: social and economic conditions for vulnerable communities.
  • Feeding: solutions for food insecurity.
  • Healing: opportunities for those in hospitals and outpatient facilities and overcoming mental health challenges.
  • Teaching: financial and economic principles.

The Carolinas Foundation’s goal is to convene thought leaders, volunteer coordinators and community partners to help credit unions achieve greater community impact!

How can our chapter get involved?

This program will be directed by the Chapter network in the Carolinas. The process is as follows:

  • A Chapter designates a non-profit organization in the community to support that focuses on improving, feeding, healing and teaching our youth. Requests for support from non-profits can also be passed along to Chapters (see section below for non-profits). Each chapter will establish a Chapter contact for the non-profit.
  • The non-profit organization will be instructed by the Chapter contact to complete the required request for support here. This form will be used by the Foundation to verify that the organization is a 501(c)3 organization and in good standing. This form will also provide the non-profit an opportunity to share specific program or project details that can be used by the Foundation and Chapter for selection and promotional purposes.
  • Once a donation is determined or fundraising is completed, the Chapter will request a grant check from the Foundation. The check can be mailed directly to the non-profit or the Chapter for distribution. We encourage Chapters to host grant check presentations with the non-profit who can publicize their support from the credit union industry! The Foundation and its Board of Directors is always happy to participate in fundraising activities and grant check presentations.

How can our non-profit be considered for support?

If your non-profit is interested in submitting information about your organization to your local Chapter of credit unions, please complete and submit this request for support form. Your request will be forwarded to the Chapter in your area for review. 

A list of local Chapters and their counties of operation is available here. If known or possible, please share the Chapter you would like the Foundation to contact. 

Please keep the following in mind: 

  • Participation in the Community Grant program is at the discretion of the local Chapter. 
  • The Foundation’s role is to work directly with the Chapter in whatever decisions they make. The Foundation will provide up to $2500 in matching funds in addition to the fundraising or donation total of the Chapter. 
  • Chapter board members are volunteers who plan and host a very limited number of events, including fundraisers, each year. 
  • In order to be considered, the non-profit must have locations and operations in North Carolina and/or South Carolina. 

What non-profit organizations have received a Community Grant from the Carolinas Foundation?

2022
Sistercare – Columbia Chapter
Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard – Cape Fear Chapter
Children’s Home Society of NC – Tarheel Chapter
Trellis Supportive Care – Northwest Chapter

2020
A Roof Above – Piedmont Chapter
Snack Packs – Columbia Chapter
Salvation Army Angel Tree – Cape Fear Chapter
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC – Northwest Chapter

2019
Children’s Home Society of North Carolina – North Piedmont Chapter – NC
Project 658 – Piedmont Chapter – NC

2009
Billy Hardee Home for Boys – Pee Dee Chapter – SC
Birthright of Charleston – Charleston Chapter – SC
Generations Group Home – Piedmont Chapter – SC
Heartstrings – North Piedmont Chapter – NC
Lucy Daniels Center for Early Childhood Development – Tarheel Chapter – NC
Sistercare – Columbia Chapter – SC
The Care House of the Pee Dee – Pee Dee Chapter – SC
The Recovering Sight Foundation – Pee Dee Chapter – SC
Hospitality House of Winston Salem – Northwest Chapter – NC

2008
Boys & Girls Homes/Family Foster Care & Adoption – Southeast Chapter – NC
Beaufort Marine Institute – Charleston Chapter – SC
Children First/Communities in Schools – Foothills Chapter – NC
Children’s Attention Home – Catawba Chapter – SC
Cooperative Christian Ministry – Foothills Chapter – NC
Family Care Center of Catawba County – Foothills Chapter – NC
Fusion Warehouse – Piedmont Chapter – SC
Girls Scouts of Eastern South Carolina – Pee Dee Chapter – SC
Homes for Life – Piedmont Chapter – SC
Homes of Hope – Piedmont Chapter – SC
Hope for the Warriors – Southeast Chapter – NC
Horse Power – Piedmont Chapter – NC
Next Step Ministries – Northwest Chapter – NC
North Augusta Cultural Arts Council – Columbia Chapter – SC
Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital – Columbia Chapter – SC
Power House Youth Center – Western Chapter – NC
Tender Hearts Ministries – Catawba Chapter – SC
The Care House – Pee Dee Chapter – SC
Winston Salem Rescue Mission – Northwest Chapter – NC
WNC House of Hope – Western Chapter – NC

2007
Alamance County Community Services Agency – North Piedmont Chapter – NC
Allegro Foundation – Piedmont Chapter – NC
Crossroads Group Home – Piedmont Chapter – SC
Eblen Charities – Western Chapter – NC
Fostering Hope – Pee Dee Chapter – SC
Free Clinic of Reidsville – North Piedmont Chapter – NC
Fusion Warehouse – Piedmont Chapter – SC
Generations Group Homes – Piedmont Chapter – SC
Helping Hands Clinic – Foothills Chapter – NC
Homes for Life – Piedmont Chapter – SC
Mary’s House – Piedmont Chapter – SC
NC Sustainable Build Design Competition – Tarheel Chapter – NC
The Recovering Sight Foundation – Pee Dee Chapter – SC
Sanctuary House – North Piedmont Chapter – NC
Serenity Chapel – Columbia Chapter – SC
Timmonsville Boys & Girls Club – Pee Dee Chapter – SC
Winston Salem Street School – Northwest Chapter – NC

2006
Adult Life Programs – Foothills Chapter – NC
Child Abuse Prevention Association – Charleston Chapter – SC
Citizens Opposed to Domestic Abuse – Charleston Chapter – SC
Crisis Control Ministry – Northwest Chapter – NC
Crossroads Group Home – Piedmont Chapter – SC
Durham Rescue Mission – Tarheel Chapter – NC
High Point Boys & Girls Club – North Piedmont Chapter – NC
Horsepower Therapeutic Learning Center – North Piedmont Chapter – NC
Low Country Orphan Relief – Charleston Chapter – SC
Raleigh Rescue Mission – Tarheel Chapter – NC
Sexual Trauma & Counseling Center – Piedmont Chapter – SC
Sumter Boys & Girls Club – Pee Dee Chapter – SC

2005
Providence Home – Southeast Chapter – NC