Find Funding: Grant Assistance
Getting Help with Your Application
Many communities do not have the staff capacity to write their own grant proposals. The organizations described below offer grant writing assistance.
North Carolina Resource Conservation and Development Program
The North Carolina Resource Conservation and Development Association (NC RCDA) hosts 10 councils that serve all 100 counties in North Carolina. Regional representatives are available to help find, write and manage grant applications. Topics can focus on natural resource improvement, recreation, tourism, economic development, community improvement or education. Some services are offered for free, and others require payment. Contact NC RCDA for more information and to locate your local council.
Environmental Finance Centers
The Environmental Protection Agency selected Environmental Finance Centers (EFCs) in November 2022. These centers provide technical assistance with developing and submitting project proposals that improve public health and environmental protection. EFCs can help with State Revolving Fund applications for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding and greenhouse gas reduction projects through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Local governments, states, tribes, territories and non-governmental organizations are eligible. Support from ECFs is only available for underserved communities that have historically struggled to access federal funding. The University of North Carolina and the Southeast Sustainability Directors Network serve as EFCs in North Carolina.
Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy selected Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (TCTACs) in April 2023 to remove barriers and improve accessibility for communities with environmental justice concerns. These centers provide training and other assistance to build capacity for navigating federal grant application systems, writing strong grant proposals and managing grant funding. In addition, TCTACs provide guidance on community engagement, meeting facilitation and translation and interpretation services for limited English-speaking participants. The Research Triangle Institute (RTI International), in partnership with North Carolina Central University, serves North Carolina.