Your Community, Your Impact: $70K in OBCF Grants Boost Local Nonprofits
The Outer Banks Community Foundation (OBCF) strives to empower local nonprofits and drive meaningful change in the community, which is why they recently awarded $70,753 in Community Enrichment Grants to 10 local nonprofits across the Outer Banks.
“These grants reflect the diversity of needs across our community, from healthcare and education to the arts, environment, and animal welfare,” said Chris Sawin, President and CEO of the Outer Banks Community Foundation.
To meet the need of providing reliable healthcare on the island, Ocracoke Health Center received a grant that will enable it to purchase two vital sign monitors and six blood pressure monitors.
Ocracoke Health Center. Photo courtesy of Ocracoke Health Center
“Ocracoke Health Center is the island’s only comprehensive safety net health care provider, and we care for anyone regardless of ability to pay,” said Ocracoke Health Center’s grant writer, Laura Wilson. “Though our work is mission-critical, especially given the island’s isolation from the mainland, our nonprofit budget is truly shoestring. Until this grant was funded, some of our vital sign and blood pressure machines could no longer be calibrated, and all of them were at least twice their life expectancies. Our patients will be able to achieve better health outcomes because of this investment from the Outer Banks Community Foundation. We are so thankful.”
Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas was awarded a grant to extend their “Outer Banks Childhood Cancer Safety Net,” which ensures access to lifesaving cancer treatment for Outer Banks children and youth, regardless of how far from home, how often, or how long.
A cat at the Outer Banks SPCA. Photo courtesy of Biff Jennings.
In order to continue to expand their in-house medical capabilities, the Outer Banks SPCA was awarded a grant to purchase additional equipment and supplies.
“We are very excited about the grant from the Outer Banks Community Foundation,” said Outer Banks SPCA Executive Director Bill Coleman. “The funding will enhance the essential care we provide for shelter animals and expand our ability to treat more animals in-house. This will help us reduce the length of stay and place our shelter animals into loving homes more efficiently.”
The Outer Banks Forum for the Lively Arts was awarded a grant to bring Billie Holiday: God Bless the Child, a powerful cultural experience that celebrates music and the life of one of history’s most influential vocalists, to the Outer Banks in April of 2026. The event will also include an educational in-school component for students.
St. Andrews By-The-Sea Episcopal Church received a grant to support the launch and initial programming of the Outer Banks Youth Choir, open to youth ages 9-19 in Dare County, directed by John Buford.
John Buford led 28 youth in their first choir practice St. Andrew’s By-The-Sea. Photo courtesy of St. Andrew’s By-The-Sea Episcopal Church.
“We are thrilled that St. Andrew’s By-the-Sea can serve as the home for the Outer Banks Youth Choir under John Buford’s leadership,” said St. Andrew’s By-The-Sea Episcopal Church Rector Nathan Finnin. “This new program represents our congregation’s belief that we do not exist for ourselves alone, but to serve the larger community. To that end, our hope is that this new endeavor not only nurtures young voices in the tradition of church music but also strengthens the ties of community, creativity, and joy across the Outer Banks. We are grateful for OBCF’s support in making this possible, and are excited to see how the choir will grow!”
To help build a resilient, healthier community where every resident has the foundation to thrive, Interfaith Community Outreach received a grant for its “Healthy Foundations” program, which will expand access to quality healthcare and affordable housing, ensuring individuals and families have a safe, stable environment.
Dare Education Foundation received a grant for a new initiative to support teachers who work with students through after-school activities such as teams and clubs.
Reducing marine debris and advocating for stronger protections for wetlands are two important environmental issues on the Outer Banks, and the North Carolina Coastal Federation received a grant to produce informative marketing materials needed to engage coastal communities and raise awareness about these topics.
Dare Wildlife Rehab was awarded a grant to purchase species-appropriate formula, feeding supplies, and supplemental food to ensure growth, health, and the eventual release of rehabilitated animals back into the wild.
Manteo High School’s wrestling team received a grant to purchase new and safer wrestling mats for student athletes.
“These grants would not be possible without the continued support of OBCF’s generous donors and community,” added Sawin.
The Community Foundation’s next grant application deadline is for Impact Grants, which are open to all types of projects with funding requests exceeding $10,000. The application deadline is Friday, October 31.
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
