Nine Local Nonprofits Receive $60,000 In Community Enrichment Grants

By Tatum Clements

The Outer Banks Community Foundation (OBCF) recently awarded $60,000 in Community Enrichment Grants to nine nonprofits that are meeting local needs and creating promising opportunities in healthcare, arts and culture, animal welfare, historical preservation, and environmental stewardship on the Outer Banks.

“This first round of Community Enrichment Grants for 2026 highlights the wide range of organizations doing meaningful work across the Outer Banks,” said OBCF Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Programs Nandy Stuart. “Our volunteer selection committee was thoughtful and intentional in reviewing a diverse pool of applicants and making difficult decisions about where these dollars could make the greatest local impact. We’re especially excited to support four organizations receiving their first-ever OBCF grants, which reflects our commitment to meeting real community needs while continuing to grow and strengthen our nonprofit community.”

To continue its work in providing quality healthcare to uninsured working adults, the Community Care Clinic of Dare received a grant to support the Tooth Fairy Fund, which will help individuals without Medicaid or commercial insurance receive urgent dental care.

“We are very excited about being awarded the Tooth Fairy Fund grant and partnering with Interfaith Community Outreach to distribute the funds,” said Director of Operations at Community Clinic of Dare, John Windley. “This funding will increase access to essential dental care for Dare County residents and workers who would otherwise go without treatment. Through this investment, both organizations will be able to serve more individuals and improve overall dental health in the community.”

The Chasing Rainbows Foundation was awarded its first grant from the Community Foundation, enabling the nonprofit to supply Outer Banks families navigating pregnancy or infant loss with specialized grief support kits, filling a gap in local bereavement resources.

“The grant will allow us to provide immediate, tangible comfort and resources to local families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss,” said the founder of The Chasing Rainbows Foundation, Erin Collins. “The support toolkits will create a foundation for families navigating grief, ensuring no one in our community walks through their grief alone. We have hand-curated the toolkits to include grief literature, memorial items, and access to free bereavement counseling.”

A grant to Friends of Jockey’s Ridge will fund their upcoming Concert on the Dunes at Jockey’s Ridge State Park on Friday, May 15.

“The Friends of Jockey’s Ridge is thrilled to bring live music to the dunes for our first Concert on the Dunes, celebrating the natural beauty and ecological significance of this landscape with music enthusiasts,” said Friends of Jockey’s Ridge Executive Director Colette Walker. “We are deeply grateful for the support of the Outer Banks Community Foundation, which makes it possible to offer this unique live music experience for both visitors and our local community. Through events like this, we hope to inspire a deeper connection to Jockey’s Ridge and strengthen our shared commitment to preserving and protecting the dunes for future generations.”

Two different art nonprofits received grants to purchase new equipment, which will help them continue to enrich artistic opportunities for local children and youth. The Manteo Performing Arts Community was awarded a grant to purchase high-quality musical instruments and theater equipment for Dare County schools in Manteo. And, the Mustang Music Outreach Program received a grant to replace outdated equipment, offer scholarships to students, and enhance its marketing efforts.

A grant to Eastern North Carolina SPCA will enable them to assemble PAWmergency Safety Kits that will prepare first responders to safely secure pets at the scene of an emergency.

“The OBCF grant made it possible to equip Dare County First Responders with items to contain pets in emergencies such as fires and automobile accidents,” said Eastern North Carolina SPCA Vice President Pam Anderson. “When first responders have the equipment in the PAWmergency Safety Kit on scene during emergencies, it can reduce the time they spend in harm’s way trying to extract a traumatized pet. This initiative will provide first responders with items that will protect them from being injured by a traumatized pet, and keep the pet from further harm through safe restraint.”

The Marine Corps League Outer Banks Detachment received a grant for their Marine In Need program, which supports honorably discharged Marines and their families with home repairs.

The Buxton Civic Association was awarded a grant to assist with the registration fee for the upcoming American Shore and Beach Preservation Association Coastal Summit, which will further the group’s educational efforts of stabilization and nourishment of our local beaches.

A grant to the Elizabethan Gardens will help the nonprofit with repairs and preservation of the historic Aphrodite statue in its sunken garden.

The Community Foundation’s next grant application is for Focus Grants, which offer a funding opportunity of up to $50,000 for innovative, large-scale projects aimed at addressing some of the most pressing challenges on the Outer Banks. These grants prioritize projects that expand healthcare access, provide affordable housing solutions, and support child care initiatives. The application deadline is Friday, April 24, 2026.

Nonprofits are encouraged to visit OBCF’s website for detailed guidelines, eligibility criteria, and the application portal. Early submissions are encouraged to allow time for review and feedback.

For more information or assistance with the grant application process, visit OBCF.org/grants or contact the staff at 252-423-3003.

About the Outer Banks Community Foundation: The Outer Banks Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to fostering philanthropy and supporting local causes. Through its charitable funds and grant programs, the Foundation strives to enrich the quality of life for residents of the Outer Banks.