Our Impact | Economic Resilience

Overview & Impact Area Update

The Sustainable Communities Impact Area combines what was formerly our “Environmental Conservation” and “Community Development” programs. Through the Sustainable Communities Program, we hope to support economically and environmentally resilient communities.

We have been excited to see the many announcements of new employers moving into our community—but we also know that those who could benefit most from these positions have significant barriers that must be addressed before they can seek new employment. The 2025 cycle of the Sustainable Communities: Economic Resilience program, will focus on funding organizations providing support to adults of all ages (post-high school through retirement) that seek employment-focused education or skills-based training to access family-sustaining, stable employment. This cycle will be focused on barrier removal for individuals pursuing these opportunities—funding for the support they need to make it to their first day on the job.

We will fund nonprofit organizations that are supporting individuals seeking employment-focused education and training while also addressing the many barriers that can arise, such as housing, food insecurity, transportation, health care (including mental health care), child care, and the cost of necessary equipment (uniforms, tools, etc).

Goals

We are focused on the following two goals in this grant cycle:

• Increase the number of unemployed or underemployed individuals who are able to access the necessary education or skills-based training to gain a stable, family-sustaining job
• Remove barriers that are standing in between individuals and these vital positions

To achieve these goals, we anticipate funding organizations whose work does the following. These are meant to be examples of strategies to achieve these goals, not limitations. We encourage organizations taking innovative or creative approaches to the goals above to apply. 

• Provides support for finding and keeping housing
• Provides support in accessing and affording child care and health care (including mental health care)
• Provides support for accessing and affording transportation, including bus passes, campus or job-site parking passes and car repair
• Provides support in addressing needs around food insecurity
• Provides support in accessing needed equipment or tools to begin employment in a desired field

This support may be in conjunction with an employment-focused degree or short-term credential program.

Grantmaking

Grants will be available in the amount of $40,000 spread evenly over two years and will provide general operating support.

We anticipate making +/- 12 general operating awards of $40,000 each over two years through this grant cycle and it is our intention to continue this program in the coming years with an every-other-year call for proposals.

Given some funding restrictions, there will be at least one organization based in and serving southern Wake County.

Eligibility

• 501(c)(3) organizations based in the Triangle and serving communities in one or more Triangle counties ((Chatham, Durham, Orange, Wake). Religious organizations and/or those working with a fiscal sponsor are eligible to apply.
• Applicants must be able to demonstrate outcomes related to the program goal(s) among the priority populations.
• Applicants must meet the Foundation’s non-discrimination policy.
• Only one application per organization will be considered.

Evaluation Criteria

The Foundation staff works with volunteer advisory committee members to review proposals and reach grantmaking decisions. In reviewing grant proposals, the Foundation will use the following evaluation criteria:

• Demonstrated impact
• Alignment with program goals
• Staff and board representation
• Engagement with and involvement of priority populations
• Organizational financial health
• Impact of funding

We will seek to have a grantee cohort that serves the four counties Triangle Community Foundation covers (Chatham, Durham, Orange, and Wake), is addressing both un- and underemployment and barrier removal to obtaining family-sustaining positions among priority populations, and includes organizations with small, medium, and large budgets. Additionally, given some funding restrictions, there will be at least one organization based in and serving southern Wake County.

Information Session

Have questions? Check out the Spring 2025 Info Session Webinar recording.

Timeline

This is the working timeline for this grant program. Dates are subject to change.