Guide for nonprofits

Grants and free programs for 501(c)(3) nonprofits in North Carolina

5 verified programs limited to North Carolina, with what each gives, who qualifies and how to apply.

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Duke Energy Foundation community grants

Duke EnergyFor nonprofits and local governments and tribesOnly in 6 states: NC, SC, OH, IN, KY, FL

The Duke Energy Foundation accepts grant applications for $20,000 and less year-round on a rolling basis in three focus areas: vibrant economies (workforce training, community revitalization, local economic development), local resiliency (disaster preparedness, resilience, conservation) and community opportunity. Public charities and governmental entities, including school districts, that serve Duke Energy communities in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Florida apply online after first contacting their state Foundation representative.

What you get
$20,000 and less
Who qualifies
  • Current tax-exempt status as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3), or a governmental entity, including school districts (governmental entities submit a W-9)
  • Serve communities that are also served by Duke Energy (eligible counties are listed on each state page: North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Florida)
  • Serve communities without discrimination and have a method to measure, track and report program outcomes
  • Not eligible: for-profit organizations, individuals, churches, private foundations, 501(c)(4)/(c)(6) organizations, individual K-12 schools (districts may apply), sports teams
  • Does not fund general operating expenses, capital investments and improvements, generation or storage equipment, weatherization or energy efficiency projects, or multiple grants to the same institution in a calendar year
How to apply
  1. Review the eligibility guidelines and the Foundation's focus areas
  2. Find your state's page and contact the Foundation representative for your county with your grant proposal and its focus-area alignment
  3. Register your organization in the grant system (verification is done through Benevity)
  4. Submit the electronic grant application at dukeenergy.versaic.com; review can take up to three months or more

Checked against Duke Energy's own page on October 16, 2026.

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Piedmont Natural Gas local impact grants (Duke Energy Foundation)

Piedmont Natural Gas (Duke Energy)For nonprofits and local governments and tribesOnly in North Carolina, South Carolina

Through the Duke Energy Foundation, Piedmont Natural Gas makes local impact grants of up to $20,000 to programs in its communities that build vibrant economies, strengthen local resiliency and promote community opportunity. Grants are open year-round to public charities and governmental entities, including school systems, that serve Piedmont Natural Gas communities.

What you get
Up to $20,000
Who qualifies
  • Current tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3) public charity, or a governmental entity including school systems (governmental entities submit a W-9)
  • Serve communities that are also served by Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas (Piedmont serves North Carolina and South Carolina)
  • Have a method to measure, track and report program outcomes
  • Not eligible: for-profit organizations, individuals, churches, private foundations, individual K-12 schools; no general operating expenses, capital investments or multiple grants to one institution in a calendar year
How to apply
  1. Review the focus areas and qualifications on the Piedmont Natural Gas foundation page
  2. Email foundation@duke-energy.com with questions about program alignment
  3. Apply through the Duke Energy Foundation grant system (Apply Now on the page)

Checked against Piedmont Natural Gas (Duke Energy)'s own page on October 16, 2026.

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Publix Super Markets Charities Grants and Donations

Publix Super Markets CharitiesFor nonprofits and local governments and tribesOnly in 8 states: FL, GA, AL, NC, SC, TN, VA, KY

Publix Super Markets Charities funds nonprofits and schools in Publix's eight Southeastern states, focused on hunger, homelessness, youth, education and communities. Organizations register on the Publix Charitable Donations site and submit requests online; hunger-relief requests are due March 1 to April 30 and housing and shelter requests July 1 to August 31, while other nonprofit and sponsorship requests are taken year-round.

What you get
Not stated
Who qualifies
  • Organization must operate and/or serve clients in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia or Kentucky
  • Fully registered nonprofit (listed in the IRS database); donations to schools are made directly to the school (PTAs, PTSAs and booster clubs cannot register)
  • Priorities: alleviating hunger, reducing homelessness, encouraging youth, supporting education and improving communities
  • Publix Charities does not donate to benefit an individual
How to apply
  1. Register the organization on the Publix Charitable Donations site (an employee or board member must register the organization; volunteers register separately)
  2. Log in with the password emailed to you and submit your request for support
  3. Submit hunger-relief requests March 1 to April 30 and housing and shelter requests July 1 to August 31; other requests may be submitted any time
  4. Watch for an email decision; approved checks are mailed to the address on file

Program page checked on October 16, 2026. The amount or dates aren't published, so confirm them on the program page.

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Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation grants

Dominion EnergyFor nonprofitsOnly in 6 states: VA, SC, NC, CT, RI, WV

The Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation makes grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofits in its service areas for education, environment, culture and the arts, civic and community development, and health and human services. Most awards range from $1,000 to $15,000 and can cover programs or operating costs. Applications are accepted online during two cycles a year (January to February and August to September) after the organization completes a Benevity cause profile.

What you get
Most awards $1,000 to $15,000; higher amounts possible for an exceptional fit
Who qualifies
  • Not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizations (organizations using a fiscal sponsor are not eligible)
  • Located where Dominion Energy provides electricity or natural gas service or has significant facilities: Virginia; South Carolina; northeastern North Carolina; Connecticut (Hartford, Windham, Tolland, Middlesex and New London counties); Rhode Island (Kent and Washington counties); West Virginia (Grant and Tucker counties)
  • Focus on education, environment, culture and the arts, civic and community development, or health and human services
  • Not eligible: individuals, religious programs of churches, fraternal, political, advocacy or labor organizations, tickets or other tangible benefits, and utility payments
  • The Foundation no longer makes grants in Ohio, Utah or the Enbridge-served gas areas of North Carolina
How to apply
  1. Confirm your 501(c)(3) organization is in an eligible Dominion Energy service area
  2. Create or update your organization's Benevity cause profile and complete the Self-Certification Declaration (you cannot apply until it is done)
  3. Apply online during a grant cycle: January 11 to February 19, 2027 or August 2 to September 10, 2027
  4. Watch for the decision email (May for the spring cycle, November for the fall cycle)

Checked against Dominion Energy's own page on October 16, 2026.

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Nationwide Foundation Community Grants

NationwideFor nonprofitsLocal programs in 6 states: AZ, FL, IA, NC, OH, TX

The Nationwide Foundation accepts grant applications from 501(c)(3) nonprofits in six communities: Columbus, Des Moines, Gainesville, Raleigh, San Antonio and Scottsdale/Phoenix. It prioritizes food security, crisis stability, children's wellbeing and economic empowerment, and funds operating, program and limited capital requests. Applications are accepted June 1 to September 1 each year after a mandatory grant training; the current cycle is closed and Nationwide says to check back in March 2027.

What you get
Amount not published
Who qualifies
  • 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Columbus (Metro) OH, Des Moines IA, Gainesville FL, Raleigh NC, San Antonio TX or Scottsdale/Phoenix (Metro) AZ
  • Must attend the mandatory grant training (no exceptions)
  • Arts and culture and higher education organizations are by invitation only
  • Not funded: veterans, labor, religious or fraternal groups (unless serving the broader community), re-granting organizations other than United Way, primary or secondary schools, individuals, lobbying, fundraising events, debt reduction, endowments and travel
  • National organizations generally only through a local branch or chapter providing direct services
How to apply
  1. Sign up on the Nationwide Foundation 'Apply now' page for updates on trainings and timelines (next updates expected March 2027)
  2. Attend the mandatory grant training
  3. Gather your EIN, 501(c)(3) letter, operating and project budgets, board list, logic model, latest audited financials and list of other funding requests
  4. Submit the online application between June 1 and September 1 (11:59 p.m. ET)

Program page checked on October 16, 2026. The amount or dates aren't published, so confirm them on the program page.

Every program here was checked against the provider's own website on the date shown on its card. Offers change, so confirm the details on the program page before you apply. GrantFinder isn't affiliated with these companies.