North Carolina Network of Grantmakers

In partnership with NCGives, "Community Foundations Serving North Carolina," a working group of the North Carolina Network of Grantmakers comprising 14 of North Carolina's community foundations, has embarked on an effort to institutionalize and expand their work with communities of color, women and youth.

For community foundations, the inclusion of all community populations enables the effective accomplishment of stated missions and goals and provides a basis for long-term community support and sustainability. Additionally, because of their many functions within local communities, community foundations have a unique opportunity to affect change in a variety of ways. Community foundations can engage with their community through at least five roles of foundation life: as a funder, as a promoter of philanthropy, as a community citizen and leader, as an employer and volunteer base, and as an economic entity.

By engaging with the targeted communities in these ways, the community foundation can expand current work and extend their impact.

Phase 1

In the first phase of the project, each community foundation in the collaborative engaged in a joint effort to develop a baseline understanding of the work currently being done by community foundations in communities throughout North Carolina. During Phase 1, a toolbox of standards, information, templates and useful guides was developed through statewide and national research of those foundations who are effectively working with targeted communities. 

Phase 2

Currently in phase two, the 14 community foundations are pursuing joint and individual efforts to develop, expand, and celebrate work with communities of color, women and youth that effectively reflect their communities.  Participating community foundations are currently reviewing the opportunities outlined in the baseline and developing action plans for future work.  Several community foundations have already received investments to pursue the work as stated in their plan. Community foundation staff, board and volunteer leaders continue to engage in learning exchange though conference calls, statewide meetings, and dissemination of the updated toolbox containing useful research and documents.  NCNG is working with the community foundations to pursue a greater national investment to support continuation of the projects. 

About the North Carolina Network of Grantmakers

The North Carolina Network of Grantmakers, a membership organization of over 75 foundations, corporate giving programs and donor-advised funds that make significant grants to North Carolina charitable causes, is our state's only forum for information-sharing and cooperation among North Carolina grantmakers. We help our members share knowledge, experiences and lessons learned - and provide opportunities for N.C. foundations and corporate grantmakers to work together to improve the effectiveness and ultimate impact of grantmaking.

The Network was organized in September 2002 by a group of leading grantmakers who appreciated the need for a statewide forum to connect and support trustees, staff and advisors of grantmaking organizations.

The Network helps North Carolina grantmakers:

• Foster and build closer peer relationships
• Gain a deeper understanding of important North Carolina issues
• Create a body of knowledge regarding philanthropy in the state
• Take advantage of education and networking opportunities
• Leverage funds and expertise from outside the state
• Coordinate grantmaking efforts and collaborate more closely