Durham County Nonprofit Agency Funding Program (United States)

Deadline: 12-Nov-20

Durham County is accepting applications for its new COVID-focused nonprofit funding program.

Durham County Government’s mission is to “provide fiscally responsible, quality services necessary to promote a healthy, safe and vibrant community.” The County is committed to supporting nonprofit organizations that help with this mission.

Target Areas

Food Security: The goals of this target area are to increase food access and improve the local food system. Durham County seeks to support nonprofit organizations that:
- Work to increase food security for vulnerable populations.
- Manage and distribute a series of micro-grants to smaller food security nonprofits in Durham.
- And/or create a stronger local food system. This could include work with farms, food production, food delivery, or any other organization that get food on Durham tables.
Child, Youth, and Family Wellness and Learning: The goal of this target area is to support the overall wellness of young people and their families. “Wellness” is a state of being fulfilled and healthy in the body and mind. It can relate to physical, social, emotional, mental, and other types of health. Durham County seeks proposals from groups that want to create safe opportunities and places that promote health, wellness, and learning. Applicants should show how they plan to offer targeted supports and encouragement to young people and their families that consider culture, trauma, and other lived experiences. Priority will be given to applicants that provide young people and their family’s opportunities for decision making and leadership in the project.
Workforce Development: The goal of the Workforce Development Target Area is to help residents in low-wage jobs transition into high-demand industries with opportunities for salary growth and upward mobility. By improving awareness and access to career training and employment, this Target Area seeks to promote the economic well-being of all Durham County residents. Funded workforce development programs will work with Identified Partners to leverage their resources to recruit, enrol and support Target Audience residents until they complete coursework in Durham Technical Community College’s Back to Work Initiative and are employed in an industry with salary and promotion growth potential.
Safe and Stable Housing: The goal of this target area is to ensure that Durham’s low-income seniors and disabled individuals can continue living in safe, affordable housing. COVID-19 has compounded existing problems, including rapidly rising property values that threaten safe and stable housing. Durham County will give funds to the City of Durham to support a non-profit-led housing repair program that will help people stay in their homes, and thus the County is not accepting applications in this area.

Funding Information

This year, the County will fund up to 12 nonprofit organizations.
Grants will range from $25,000-$75,000. Grant length is 18 months.

Eligibility Criteria

Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status are eligible to apply.
Community-based groups with a fiscal sponsor that has a 501(c)(3) status are also eligible to apply.
One application should be submitted for a project with multiple partners. One organization with 501(c)(3) status must receive the funds and provide fiscal oversight.
Nonprofits may “pass-through” all or some of the funds as sub-grants or micro-grants to other 501(c)(3) and community-based organizations or groups.
Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:
- Direct services to children, adults, and families;
- Development of tools and resources that can be used by families or organizations;
- Training and professional development;
- Community-based research and engagement;
- Planning for policy and systems change;
- Sub-granting to other nonprofits and community-based groups.