Funding search · early childhood education · North Carolina
Who funds early childhood education work in North Carolina
15 funders have a record of paying for early childhood education work by North Carolina recipients: 102 grants totaling $19.7M, most recently in 2025 — mostly grantmaking charities, which often run real application cycles. The largest by matched giving are Dogwood Health Trust ($6.8M), Chatham County Partnership for Children ($421,375) and Merancas Foundation ($630,000).
From IRS Form 990-PF and 990 Schedule I filings, 2019–2025. Grants already paid to North Carolina recipients — evidence of what these funders back, not open calls.
Largest: $257,949 to UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL — the equity research action coalition (erac) will perform three related strands of work to support dogwoods education work: engagement in the convening of the early childhood educat…
Chatham County Partnership for ChildrenPittsboro, NCCharity · may take applications
12 matching grants · $421,375 · through 2024Largest: $55,269 to LEARNING WORLD CHILD CARE & PRESCHOOL — nutrition/child care food program
Largest: $100,000 to CHARLOTTE BILINGUAL PRESCHOOL — charlotte bilingual preschool, suppo
Wake County Smart StartRaleigh, NCCharity · may take applications
7 matching grants · $3.8M · through 2024Largest: $880,446 to THE HAPPY FACE PRESCHOOL — nc prek, wake threeschool
Largest: $200,000 to UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL — research and education on early childhood development
Foundation for the CarolinasCharlotte, NCCharity · may take applications
6 matching grants · $2.1M · through 2024Largest: $607,000 to APPLESEED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION INC — charitable gift
Blue Ridge Partnership for ChildrenBurnsville, NCCharity · may take applications
4 matching grants · $23,702 · through 2024Largest: $6,000 to CHURCH STREET PRESCHOOL INC — preschool scholarships; part day program-child care and education affordability
Largest: $10,000 to CHARLOTTE BILINGUAL PRESCHOOL INC — to support the mission of charlotte bilingual preschool (cltbp) to prepare spanish-speaking children for success in school and life by providing superior dual language, multi-cultu…
Largest: $500,000 to CHARLOTTE BILINGUAL PRESCHOOL - CAPITAL CAMPAIGN — to assist in educational opportunities
Early YearsChapel Hill, NCCharity · may take applications
7 matching grants · $76,854 · through 2024Largest: $16,873 to CC OF CHAPEL HILL INC DBA CHILDREN'S CAMPUS OF CHAPEL HILL-PRESCHOOL — child care subsidy
Cleveland County Partnership forShelby, NCCharity · may take applications
4 matching grants · $4.0M · through 2024Largest: $1.9M to CLEVELAND COUNTY SCHOOLS — preschool classrooms, nc pre-k
Largest: $50,000 to CHARLOTTE BILINGUAL PRESCHOOL INC — program/operating support
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Start with one paperBroader: early childhood education funders nationally · all North Carolina-based grantmakers