Sustainable Communities
Our goal: Economically and environmentally resilient communities
In order to achieve our vision for a Triangle region where everyone can thrive, resilience is key. Traumatic events or "shocks," both natural and human-caused, are unfortunately inevitable, and we actively work to help strengthen Triangle communities now so they can weather and bounce back from future events.
Climate change in particular poses a threat to the environment and the people and assets in communities across the globe. Locally, the Triangle is experiencing an increasing number of climate-related threats, including more frequent flooding, increasing temperatures, increasing drought conditions, and population growth, which leads to more development and demand for resources.
We invest in area nonprofits that are protecting our environmental and community assets, and mobilize philanthropic response to support local disaster relief and recovery efforts, taking a holistic approach to developing and maintaining strong, resilient communities in the Triangle.
2024-2026 Environmental & Economic Resilience Grantees
Click on organization logos to learn more about the important work being done in our community to support sustainability.
View a list of Sustainable Communities nonprofit partners since 2013.
Environmental Resilience Grantees
Carolina Advocates for Climate, Health, and Equity
We inspire and activate our network of health professionals and advocates to strengthen community resilience and reduce the health impacts of climate change across North Carolina. We engage our network in climate-informed education, advocacy, and research with community based organizations, health systems, and policy makers. We share resources and co-create pathways to a healthier, more equitable future for all.
City of Oaks Foundation
The City of Oaks Foundation has provided support for the City of Raleigh’s Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department (PRCR) since the Foundation’s creation in 2010, as a partner for parks, greenways, nature preserves and open space that support the City’s ongoing conservation efforts. The Foundation expanded the scope of its partnership with PRCR in 2020 to provide financial assistance that removes barriers to participation in PRCR programs, to collaborate with grassroots community organizations that support parks and recreation programs, and to support PRCR by providing grants, donations, and volunteers to support the PRCR park system.
Community Organizing for Racial Equity
Community Organizing for Racial Equity has a mission to create a culture of equity by building stronger communities through education, restoration, and community organizing.
Eno River Association
Established in 1966, the Eno River Association is an accredited land trust and conservation nonprofit driven by a mission to conserve and protect the natural, historical, and cultural resources of the Eno River Basin.
Environmental Educators of North Carolina
EENC’s mission is to build connections, provide professional development, and promote excellence for North Carolina's community of environmental educators.
Friends of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
The Friends of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to support the Museum. All Friends activities serve the broader goal of helping the Museum illuminate the natural world and inspire its conservation.
Haw River Assembly, Inc.
Our mission is to promote environmental awareness, conservation and pollution prevention; to speak as a voice for the river in the public arena; and to put into peoples’ hands the tools and the knowledge they need to be effective guardians of the river. Our Haw Riverkeeper advocates for clean water and against threats to the river.
Keep Durham Beautiful
Since 2004, we have united with communities and businesses to be stewards of Durham by removing thousands of pounds of waste, planting trees & community gardens, and bringing people together to take care of Durham’s environment. We build environmentally just, resilient, and beautiful outdoor spaces in cooperation with Durham communities.
Museum of Life and Science
The Museum of Life and Science is a place for learners to develop, build, and practice their scientific and critical thinking skills. Science is best learned through active practice and engagement with scientific behaviors, including exploration and discovery, gathering and interpreting data, forming inferences, and testing ideas. The Museum provides materials, spaces, and experiences that encourage active investigation, curiosity, and inquiry. We create experiences to promote a sustained, ongoing journey of critical thinking and discovery.
Partners for Environmental Justice
At Partners for Environmental Justice, we’re more than just advocates—we’re catalysts for change. By restoring wetlands like Walnut Creek, we’re protecting Raleigh’s natural beauty, combating environmental injustice, and creating a brighter future for everyone.
Piedmont Conservation Council
Piedmont Conservation Council's mission is to leverage people and resource for innovative projects that promote conservation and sustainable communities.
The Great Raleigh Cleanup
The Great Raleigh Cleanup is a 501 (c)(3) organization, founded in 2020, whose vision is a litter-free Raleigh cared for by a community of environmental stewards.
Driven by this vision, we have built a vibrant network of passionate individuals and organizations across Raleigh, united by the belief that every neighborhood deserves to be clean, healthy, and a source of pride. Since our founding, our efforts have made a measurable and lasting difference in the community.
Trees for the Triangle
Trees for the Triangle's mission is to improve the ecological and social resilience of the Triangle area through the planting of native trees.
Triangle Native American Society
Since its inception, the Triangle Native American Society (TNAS) has worked to promote and protect Native American identity in the Triangle area by increasing public awareness of the cultural and economic contributions of Native peoples, as well as advocating for greater recognition of their needs.
Urban Sustainability Society
Urban Sustainability Society's mission is to provide a youth education program focused on environmental awareness while improving urban air and water quality through sustainable solutions.
Economic Resilience Grantees
Church World Service - Durham
CWS Durham welcomes refugees, immigrants, and asylum-seekers from around the globe into lives of freedom, hope, and opportunity through direct services, advocacy, leadership development, and relationship-building in our community.
Communities in Schools Wake County
Communities in Schools' mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
Community Empowerment Fund
Community Empowerment Fund (CEF) is a non-profit organization in Durham and Orange Counties of North Carolina. CEF’s mission is to cultivate opportunities, assets, and communities that sustain transitions out of homelessness and poverty.
Early Years
Early Years leads efforts to strengthen accessible and affordable high-quality early care and education by providing support for families, communities and the workforce.
El Centro Hispano NC
El Centro Hispano is the largest Latino-led organization in North Carolina, dedicated to supporting all people across Durham, Wake, Orange, and surrounding counties in the Triangle and Piedmont regions. El Centro Hispano works to strengthen the community, build bridges, and promote opportunities for all.
GiGi's Playhouse Raleigh
We make a lifetime commitment to changing lives and providing hope through the consistent delivery of FREE educational, therapeutic, and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community, using a replicable playhouse model.
Hayti Reborn Justice Movement
Hayti Reborn is a revitalization project inclusive of equitable redevelopment of neighborhoods.
Hope Renovations
Hope Renovations builds futures and transforms lives with a dual mission: preparing underemployed women and gender-expansive individuals for construction careers and helping older adults age in place with dignity.
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle envisions a hunger free community. We feed our neighbors, teach self-sufficiency, and grow healthy foods by cultivating innovative approaches to end hunger. Member of Feeding America.
LIFE Skills Foundation
LIFE Skills Foundation's mission is to empower transition age youth to live stable, self-directed lives by providing them with housing and wraparound support services.
Refugee Community Partnership
Refugee Community Partnership is a grassroots mutual aid network and resource hub made up of 2,000+ migrant and refugee Members and hundreds of volunteers rebuilding home together in central North Carolina.
StepUp Ministry
StepUp Ministry provides pathways to transformation. Founded in 1988 by White Memorial Presbyterian Church, StepUp Ministry is a non-profit organization that helps hundreds of individuals each year in Wake County transform their lives through employment and life skills training.
Triangle Native American Society
Since its inception, the Triangle Native American Society (TNAS) has worked to promote and protect Native American identity in the Triangle area by increasing public awareness of the cultural and economic contributions of Native peoples, as well as advocating for greater recognition of their needs.
Urban Ministries of Durham
Urban Ministries of Durham connects with the community to end homelessness and fight poverty by offering food, shelter and a future to neighbors in need.
World Relief Durham
World Relief Durham mobilizes and equips churches and communities in the Triangle to create change that lasts.
Featured Stories
Grantee Week Day 4 – Land Transaction
On Day Four of Grantee Week we are pleased to share the three grantees of our Land Transaction grant program. This program provides funding to support transaction costs associated with ...
Grantee Week Day 2 – Environmental Resilience
Welcome to Day Two of Grantee Week! Today we are pleased to share the 15 organizations who have each received $20,000 grants in the first of a two-year Environmental Resilience ...
Banding Together for the Trees
“I believe that you just cannot do work on environmental issues at the local level without the community [being] involved,” says Elaine Chiosso, Executive Director of the Haw River Assembly ...
Creating Connections Between Culture and Nature
Traveling around the Triangle, we see traffic congestion while commuting to and from work, new apartment buildings in the skyline, and more and more construction of highways and roads. These ...
Conserving Land and Legacy
With your help, we have granted $767,111 to environmental organizations through Fund for the Triangle since FY 2013-2014 While strolling through Good Hope Farm on a sunny afternoon, one gets ...
After-School Program Reconnects Children to the Earth
Is it possible to reconnect young people with the earth? Connecting with nature is tough for children who are coming of age in the digital era and kids without access ...