Now Accepting Grant Applications Through July 31

The Outer Banks Community Foundation is currently accepting online applications for its Community Enrichment Grants Program. The application deadline is Friday, July 31.

The Community Foundation supports charitable projects that directly benefit all or a portion of its service area, which includes Dare County and all Outer Banks communities, from Corolla to Ocracoke.

Last year the Community Foundation awarded almost $225,000 in grants through its Community Enrichment program, plus another $195,000 through its donor-advised and designated funds. Already this year the Community Foundation has supported a range of nonprofits across the Outer Banks, including the Lost Colony, Beach Food Pantry, Interfaith Community Outreach, Special Olympics, NEST, Mano al Hermano, the Outer Banks Children’s Museum, and the Ocracoke Community Park.

The Community Foundation supports charitable projects of all types, including arts and culture, animal welfare, children and youth, disaster relief and prevention, education, the environment, health, historic preservation, and other human services.

Priority is given to projects that: involve or benefit a broad segment of the community; provide an innovative approach to addressing area needs; attract additional funding from other sources; promote collaboration and efficiencies amongst multiple organizations; and/or fill gaps and address urgent community needs, among other considerations.

Any 501(c)3 organization is eligible to apply, as are other tax-exempt organizations for charitable projects that meet a public need. Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis; the last two deadlines of 2015 are July 31 and October 30.

For more information about the Community Foundation’s grants program, or to apply for a grant, please visit www.obcf.org/grants. Before applying, all applicants are urged to call Community Foundation staff at 252-261-8839 to discuss their projects.