OVERVIEW: This community funder names arts, education, nonprofit capacity building and sustainability as its areas of focus, but grantmaking actually supports a much broader range of interests. Funding is mainly limited to the North Carolina counties of Durham, Chatham, Orange and Wake.
IP TAKE: This community foundation supports a broad range of causes in its geographic priority areas, and it maintains a website that is easy to navigate. Triangle’s grant opportunities page lists current opportunities and links to detailed application information and due dates. Staff contact information is also available on the site, making it easy to reach out to a specific program or grants director. If your organization serves communities in Durham, Chatham, Orange or Wake counties in North Carolina, this is a good funder to have on your radar.
PROFILE: The Triangle Community Foundation (TCF), based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, is one of the largest community foundations in the state. It seeks to “help build a more vibrant community for everyone” in the Triangle region of North Carolina. The foundation was established in 1983 with a gift of $1,000. Its geographic focus is Durham, Chatham, Orange and Wake counties. This funder makes grants through a range of philanthropic vehicles including donor-advised funds, legacy funds, scholarship funds, giving circles and its proprietary Fund for the Triangle, which addresses critical needs in the area.
The foundation names four main focus areas: cultural arts, education and youth, nonprofit capacity building and sustainable communities. In actuality, however, Triangle’s grantmaking is much broader, with various programs supporting initiatives for health, community development, economic opportunity and more. Recent grantees of the foundation’s grantmaking programs include the Art Therapy Institute of North Carolina, the Education Justice Alliance, the LGBTQ Center of Durham, the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association and the Raleigh Police Accountability Community Taskforce.
Important Grant Details
Every year, TCF invests over $15 million in its surrounding communities. Grantmaking stems from more than 800 separate funds that are managed by Triangle, with most grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. This funder supports a broad range of organizations in terms of size and thematic interest, but it tends to prioritize those that have a strong and active presence in the communities served by the foundation. For additional information about past grantmaking see Triangle’s financial reports page.
To apply for grants, grantseekers should first consult the foundation’s grant opportunities page, which lists current funding opportunities and provides links to application information. Especially in cases of donor advised funds, grantmaking goals and practices change fairly frequently. Eligibility, guidelines and due dates vary significantly by program, but prospective grantees with inquiries may use contact information from the staff directory page reach out to an appropriate staff member.
PEOPLE:
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