Civic Foundation awards $75,000 in community grants to nonprofits in North Carolina

Civic Foundation is honored to award $75,000 in community grants to three nonprofits focused on health care, human services, and hunger needs across the state. Each recipient will receive a $25,000 grant to continue making an impact in their communities, reflecting the Foundation’s commitment to support newly formed nonprofits deeply rooted in service in their communities.

Meet the grant recipients

Piedmont Music Therapy

Piedmont Music Therapy is a Charlotte based nonprofit that believes quality mental health care should be equitable, inclusive, and accessible regardless of income, insurance status, or background. Through their “Bright Notes, Bright Futures” program, they address human service needs for children between the ages of three to five years and developmentally aged to due to special needs. With the assistance of board-certified music therapists, this therapy supports the emotional, cognitive, physical, and social well-being of the children. Grant funds will be used to support the “Bright Notes, Bright Futures” program so children can attend at no cost. The program will run six, four-session cycles over 10 months, with each cycle consisting of 10 children.

Sistas Caring 4 Sistas

Sistas Caring 4 Sistas (SC4S) is a community-based organization focused on improving maternal and infant health outcomes for black and brown women, low-income families, and individuals living in rural areas where access to health care providers is limited. Sistas Caring 4 Sistas serves nine Western North Carolina counties by training doulas to advance birth equity and provide culturally responsive support to Appalachian families. Grant funds will be used to help SC4S expand access across Western North Carolina with doula training and certification, the purchase of prenatal and postpartum education supplies, and transportation assistance for clients. Funs will also provide maternal mental health and wellness support for birthing families.

Valley Hope Foundation

Valley Hope Foundation was created after Hurricane Helene to provide disaster humanitarian disaster relief and launched Nourish WNC in direct response to this ongoing crisis.They use local and regional farmers to purchase fresh produce which provides them with much needed income to help with their continued recovery as well. Nourish WNC operates a regional hub network that moves fresh produce to their hub networks weekly. Funds will be used to purchase fresh, local produce, in addition to protein and nutrient dense staples like dairy, meat, and eggs. One of Nourish WNC’s greatest strengths is the buying power they have developed through supplier relationships. These relationships have brought their cost per meal well below $1.00. Currently, Nourish WNC serves an average of 20,000 people each week across their hub network.

About the Civic Foundation

Civic Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Civic Credit Union. It exists to support thriving communities through investments in health care, housing, human services and hunger.

Are you a North Carolina nonprofit working to create lasting, local impact? Apply for a Civic Foundation grant and join a growing network of change-makers building stronger, more equitable communities in our state.