Small Grant Program

Overview
The Small Grant Program (SGP) was established in 2020 to allow qualifying smaller, grassroots nonprofit organizations and those who have not partnered with the Mecklenburg County ABC Board in the past an opportunity to apply for funding to reduce or prevent alcohol and/or substance abuse (substance use disorder) in their target populations. 

We encourage eligible organizations to submit proposals that bring important programming for prevention and education of alcohol and/or substance abuse (substance use disorder) per Chapter 18B-805 (h) of the North Carolina General Statutes. These guidelines will be strictly followed.

Grants will be awarded up to $25,000 for a one-year project period in FY 2025, depending on and in alignment with the applicant's proposed project and at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Estimated number of awards is 24.

Read about the organizations and projects funded for FY 2024 HERE. Together, we can have a positive impact on our community.

SGP Community Information Sessions
All interested organizations are highly encouraged to attend one of the following community information sessions to learn more about eligibility requirements and the application process. Each session will address the same information therefore attendance is only needed at one session. Registration is required.

Session #1
November 8 from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Community Matters Café
821 W First Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
INFO SESSION CLOSED

Session #2
November 13 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
University City Partners
8801 J M Keynes Drive, Charlotte, NC 28262
INFO SESSION CLOSED

Session #3
November 17, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Matthews Free Medical Clinic
196 S Trade Street, Matthews, NC 28105
INFO SESSION CLOSED

Session #4
November 27, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library - North County Regional
16500 Holly Crest Lane, Huntersville, NC 28078
INFO SESSION CLOSED

Session #5
November 29, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Mecklenburg County Veterans Park – Indoor Pavilion
2136 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205
INFO SESSION CLOSED

Eligibility Guidelines
Funding is restricted to organizations that meet the following criteria (note: a fiscal sponsor arrangement will be considered for organizations that do not meet some of the eligibility criteria):

  • Mecklenburg County non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organizations exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or governmental entities such as the State of North Carolina and its agencies, municipal corporations, and political subdivisions of the State. 
  • 501(c)(3) determination letters located in and serving residents of Mecklenburg County. A fiscal sponsor arrangement will be considered for applicants that do not yet have their IRS Letter of Determination.
  • Current year operating budget under $350,000.
  • Evidence of two (2) consecutive years of organization growth/success.
  • Current active NC Charitable Solicitation License (CSL) or exempt status with the NC Secretary of State (NCSOS). Before applying for a grant, please check your organization's status HERE. If you do not have a CSL, exempt status, or your license has expired, please apply, or renew at this time. The ABC Board will require proof of application to the NCSOS to move forward in the grant process. The CSL number or evidence of exempt status will be required to receive a grant award.
  • Demonstration of organizational financial stability though one of these options:
    • Option 1: Two (2) most recent 990-N postcards with corresponding Annual Financial Report Form for Charities or Sponsors submitted to the NCSOS for those same years (Note: likely to need a fiscal agent)
    • Option 2: Two (2) most recent independent financial compilation reports done by a public accounting firm (Note: likely to need a fiscal agent)
    • Option 3: Two (2) most recent 990 EZs (Note: possible to need a fiscal agent)
    • Option 4: Two (2) most recent 990 full versions
    • Option 5: The most recent independent audit completed by a licensed CPA showing year-over-year (2 years) financials

Grant Deadlines
Each organization must have an account in Foundant, the ABC Board’s online grants management system. See below for more information on setting up an account.

Letter of Intent (LOI)
Opens: December 6, 2023
Closes: January 8, 2024
Open to all eligible organizations

Grant Application
Opens: February 16, 2024
Closes: March 13, 2024
By invitation only based on LOI

Application Requirements
If invited to apply, the full grant application cycle will open in February 2024. Invitees will receive a link to the application via email.

    • A Project Evaluation Form will be required as part of the application.
    • Agency site visits will be scheduled virtually with applicant organizations as deemed appropriate by the Grants Evaluation Team as part of the grant evaluation process.
    • Only one (1) application to the Small Grant Program can be made by an organization for that fiscal year.
    • All small grants are for a one-year project period.
    • Matching funds are not a requirement of the Small Grant Program.
    • Non-allowable costs include sub-grants, sub-contracts and/or use of funds for general operating support. Definition of terms is as follows:
        • Sub-grant: when a grantee makes grant awards from the funds received through its ABC grant.
        • Sub-contract: when a grantee hires a contractor who then awards a portion of the existing contract to another individual or entity.
        • Operating Costs: expenses associated with the maintenance and administration of a business on a day-to-day basis.
    • All organizations submitting a full grant request will be notified in writing of their application status by May 31, 2024. Please note this is tentative application status pending Board budget approval at the June 2024 Board meeting.

The ABC Board is Here to Help!
OPTIONAL WORKSHOP - CLOSED: The FY 2025 Small Grant Program Virtual
Pre-Grant Workshop was held on February 14, 2024, from 11:30 AM-1:00 PM.

OPTIONAL OFFICE HOURS: To streamline the review process for the Grants Evaluation Team, applications must be submitted with all required components and documents accurately completed. As such, organizations submitting a full grant application are strongly encouraged to meet with Autumn Keck, Assistant Program Officer Consultant, to address questions and concerns prior to submission of the grant application.

It is the responsibility of the applicant organization to schedule a meeting with Autumn. Her Calendly link is HERE.

Getting Started
Getting started means getting organized! This will help applicants to prepare a better grant application.

Begin by taking one of these two steps:

  • If your organization is new to the ABC Board, please create an organization account in Foundant.
  • If your organization is a current grantee or previous applicant of the ABC Board, update your organization information in Foundant that may have changed since the last funding cycle. It is important to keep contact information current so that communications from the ABC Board are not missed. DO NOT CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT.

Go to the ABC Board’s online grants management system at Foundant to create or make updates to your organization’s profile.

If you have trouble finding your account reach out to Terry Albanese, Program Officer Consultant HERE.

Project & Technical Assistance
For assistance with the Small Grant Program, please contact Autumn Keck, Assistant Program Officer Consultant HERE.

For assistance with Foundant, please contact Terry Albanese, Program Officer Consultant HERE.

Helpful Information
These additional resources may help to answer some of your questions:



ABC Board FY25 AGP-CHWGP Project Evaluation Form-FINAL-L

FY2025_SGP_BudgetInstructions_Final

FY2025_SGP_BudgetSummaryForm-FINAL-L

FY2025_SGP_GuidelinesandTerms_Final


FY2024_SGP_BudgetInstructions_Final

FY2024_SGP_BudgetSummaryForm_Final

FY2024_SGP_GuidelinesandTerms_Final


FY 2024 SGP-Monthly Expenditure Template-fill-in

FY 2024 SGP RFP Budget Expenditure Summary Template-FINAL

FY2024 MeckABC Grant-Program Contract Amendment Form

Media Release