Center for Participatory Change
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Grassroots PartnersAppalachian Heritage Crafters
Appalachian Heritage Crafters, founded by craftspeople in and around Cherokee County, NC, is a grassroots organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Appalachian crafts and heritage. AHC was one of CPC's first grassroots organizational partners. AHC's website contains organizational information, a calendar of upcoming shows and events, pictures of crafts and crafters, and more.International Link serves as a non-profit central resource for assistance in addressing language and cultural barriers for immigrants in the Asheville area, as well as a center for cross-cultural exchange.
Neighbors in Ministry
Neighbors in Ministry (NIM) is multiracial group of dedicated community leaders in Brevard, NC who have a long history of fighting for racial justice by organizing church partnerships, antiracism trainings, and programs for children and parents. NIM's flagship 'Rise and Shine' after school program serves children in grades K-5, and its Summer Freedom School provides youth with a summer program centered on teaching justice and civil rights.One Dozen Who Care
ODWC is a rural Community Development Corporation whose primary goal is to bring together minorities, especially African Americans, to develop the economy in far western North Carolina. ODWC seeks to bring about positive community development through programs that include the annual Multicultural Women's Development Conference, youth mentoring, and cultural projects.
FoundationsMary Reynolds Babcock Foundation
The Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation concentrates on assisting people in the South to build just and caring communities that nurture people, spur enterprise, bridge differences, foster fairness and promote civility--with a bedrock commitment to democracy, justice and compassion. MRBF is an important supporter of grassroots efforts in the South.The Ben & Jerry's Foundation: Funding for Grassroots Social Change
The Ben & Jerry's Foundation provides support to nonprofit, grassroots organizations that facilitate progressive social change. The foundation will only consider proposals from grassroots, constituent-led organizations whose projects are examples of creative problem solving. Types of grants include those that facilitate leadership development and strengthen the self-empowerment efforts of those who have traditionally been disenfranchised in our society. Grants range from $1,000 to $15,000 and letters of interest can be submitted at any time.
Catholic Campaign for Human Development
CCHD is a national social justice program of the United States Catholic Bishops, begun in 1970. CCHD's mission is to address the root causes of poverty in America through promotion and support of community controlled, self-help organizations, and through transformative education of the non-poor. Western North Carolina is served through the Diocese of Charlotte.Cherokee Preservation Foundation
The Cherokee Preservation Foundation's purpose is to improve the quality of life of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and strengthen the western North Carolina region. The Foundation’s focus is on project, planning and capacity initiatives that will enhance the Cherokee culture, facilitate economic development and job opportunities, and improve the environment.
Commission on Religion in Appalachia (CORA)
More than just a grantmaker, CORA is a network of churches, nonprofit organizations and community groups that have been working for more than 35 years to promote economic and social justice in Appalachia. CPC staff are active in CORA's committee on Dismantling Racism.Community Foundation of Western North Carolina
The Community Foundation is a partnership of local donors, nonprofit organizations, and communities established to benefit 18 mountain counties. Program areas include community and economic development, the arts, supporting children and families, health care, improving education, and the environment.Fund for Southern Communities
FSC provides grants to grassroots organizations in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina that are working to build safe, equitable communities that are free of oppression and that embrace and celebrate all people. FSC is a member of The Funding Exchange.Golden LEAF
The Golden LEAF Foundation was founded in 1999 by the State of North Carolina to receive and distribute a portion of the state's tobacco settlement funds. Golden LEAF's mission is to make grants and support organizations that advance the objective of promoting the social welfare of North Carolina's citizens, and to receive and distribute funds to lessen the economic impact of changes in the state's tobacco economy.Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation
The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation is one of the largest foundations in the nation that confines its efforts to a single state--North Carolina. ZSRF supports new projects and organizations working on a wide range of issues, giving special attention to certain focus areas - community economic development, the environment, pre-collegiate education, issues affecting minorities, and issues affecting women. ZSRF was a key early supporter of the Center for Participatory Change.
Foundation Information
The Foundation Center
Statistics, links, grantseeking information, and more. Some services (searchable databases, for example) are available only through a paid subscription.Foundation Center Statistics
Download lists of the highest-giving foundations; organized by state, issue, etc. For instance, you can obtain a list of the fifty foundations giving the most funding to community development projects; the fifty foundations that give the most money in North Carolina, etc.Neighborhood Funders Group
A coalition of foundations supporting community-based efforts across the country. Their member list is a good source for links to foundations that support community work.
Nonprofit Resources
Guidestar
An extensive, searchable database of nonprofit organizations. Find out detailed information about any nonprofit, or provide information for web users on your organization's mission, purpose, programs, staff and board. Also a resource for online giving and volunteer opportunities. You'll need to complete a free registration to search the database or make donations.Network for Good
A partner site to Guidestar. Uses nonprofit database to accept online donations for nonprofit organizations. For nonprofits, an easy method of accepting donations online (no fees for participation; 3% credit card fee). You'll need to complete a free registration to use the full potential of the site.Internet Nonprofit Center
The Nonprofit FAQ (hosted by Idealist.org) is based on questions and answers about nonprofit organizations exchanged on the Internet since 1994. Frequently asked questions and answers about dozens of nonprofit issues, including boards, budgets, fundraising, managment, regulations and more.
Organizational PartnersThe Justice Center is North Carolina’s leading private, nonprofit anti-poverty organization. Its mission is to reduce and eliminate poverty in North Carolina by helping to ensure that every North Carolina household gains access to the resources, services and fair treatment that it needs in order to enjoy economic security. The Justice Center pursues its ambitious mission through four main strategies: Litigation; Research and Analysis; Public Policy Advocacy; and Grassroots Action.
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
The North Carolina Extension Service is based at the state's two land grant universities --NC State and NC A&T-- and has offices in all 100 counties and the Cherokee Reservation. The Extension Service's mission is to help individuals, families and communities put research-based knowledge to work to improve their lives. Extension agents in Cherokee, Graham and Swain Counties have been essential partners for CPC in our work with agricultural groups.Heifer International
Heifer International combats hunger, alleviates poverty, and restores the environment by providing appropriate livestock, training, and related services to small-scale farmers worldwide. The Appalachian office of Heifer has actively supported CPC in our outreach and training work with farmers and farming families in Western North Carolina.Mountain Microenterprise Fund
MMF is a non-profit that provides people throughout Western North Carolina with business training, loans, technical assistance and support so they can start or expand a small business. MMF staff were instrumental in helping Appalachian Heritage Crafters create a business plan. MMF director Greg Walker Wilson serves on CPC's board of directors.National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
The National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR) is a national organization composed of local coalitions and immigrant, refugee, community, religious, civil rights and labor organizations and activists. It serves as a forum to share information and analysis, to educate communities and the general public, and to develop and coordinate plans of action on important immigrant and refugee issues. NNIRR works to promote a just immigration and refugee policy in the United States and to defend and expand the rights of all immigrants and refugees, regardless of immigration status.
GovernmentState of North Carolina: Departments and Agencies
Federal Nonprofit Gateway
Links to US Departments and AgenciesAppalachian Regional Commission
Internal Revenue Service
Information about applying to be a tax-exempt organization; online forms and publications available
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