Apply for Funding

Great Schools North Carolina is looking to invest in education leaders who are passionate about broadening access to high-quality public education options across North Carolina. We are looking for leaders deeply committed to serving students furthest from opportunity and we have multiple grant opportunities to help bring their bold visions to life. 

All of our grant opportunities include:

  1. Significant financial resources to address each school’s unique needs

  2. Technical assistance and access to vetted, high-quality partners and support 

  3. Communities of practice and the ability to work and share with leaders across the state 

To qualify for grants, all applicants must:

  • Be an independent non-profit school not affiliated with an EMO or CMO

  • Have a brick and mortar building or plans to operate a brick and mortar building (i.e., not open to virtual-only schools)

2025 Grant Opportunities

Startup Grant

Startup Grant is a two-year award open to leaders of non-profit charter schools with an approved application from the North Carolina Charter School Review Board. This award supports leaders with key start-up costs and guidance to complement the Ready to Open (RTO) process through incubation and opening.

  • Additional Qualifications

    • Applicant has secured approval of their charter application from CSRB (accelerated or regular track)

    • Senior most full-time leader has been identified

    Funding

    • Up to $250,000 over two years (two disbursements tied to grant award and school opening)

    Opportunity Overview

    • RTO Year: Leaders will receive coaching and partnership related to academic and operational needs ahead of school opening. Examples include but are not limited to strategic planning, instructional support, facilities, finance, and hiring.

    • Opening: To ensure a smooth transition into the school’s first year of operations, leaders will receive support tailored to opening needs, such as transportation, operations, teacher training, parent engagement, and culture development.

Application Now Closed

School Quality Cohort

School Quality Cohort is open to leaders of existing charter schools looking to identify and implement specific levers of change to improve their school’s outcomes. This 18-month award provides established schools the opportunity to engage with other school leaders around shared needs in tandem with school-specific coaching and partnerships.

  • Additional Qualifications

    • School leader has been in place for at least one full school year

    • Two years of available state test data (SY22-23 and SY23-24)

    • Rating of D or higher on most recent NC School Report Card

    • Met or exceeded growth on most recent NC School Report Card

    Funding

    • Up to $150,000 in total resources per school

    Opportunity Overview

    • Months 1-6: Cohort will create a strong community of practice through group learning and experiences; resources and coaching will focus on foundational levers of change.

    • Months 7-12: Leaders will engage in coaching and partnerships tailored to specific needs for their school model.

    • Months 13-18:  Leaders will have support and resources for the implementation of action plans and best practices developed during the cohort experience.

Application Opening in September

Founder’s Fellowship

THIS APPLICATION IS INVITE ONLY. FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW TO EXPRESS INTEREST.

Founder’s Fellowship is a multi-year grant opportunity open to proven education leaders looking to make an impact in North Carolina. Leaders should have a strong track record of delivering excellent outcomes for students and a vision for a new charter school that will support students in their community who are furthest from opportunity. This grant will support leaders as they design their school model and budget, submit their charter application, and interview with the Charter School Review Board. Additional follow-on supports and funding opportunities are available after initial charter application approval.

  • Additional Qualifications

    • Applicant is the intended school leader

    • Proven school leadership record

    • Strong connections to North Carolina (including being a current resident or planning to relocate to the state)

    Funding

    • Up to $50,000 in initial resources per school leader with the opportunity for follow-on funding as charter application progresses

    Opportunity Overview

    • Technical assistance to prepare charter application including school model design, budget & financials, and community engagement strategy

    • Support navigating the state approval and interview process

    Application Process

    • This process is open year-round. Leaders can express interest via the linked form.

    • Applicants will be invited to formally apply for this opportunity after passing an initial screening, consisting of the Expression of Interest form and an Interest Interview

    • Following the Interest Interview, applicants complete a Design Task

    • A Final Interview is conducted before a decision is made

2025 Application Process

STARTUP GRANT ONLY

Application

January 2025 

Information sessions for interested leaders (watch a recorded session here).

January 24th - February 5th

Online application window

Selection

February 24th - 27th

Get to Know You Interviews (virtual)

Through mid-March

Document & Design Task Submission

Through Late March

Alignment Interviews

Decision

Early April

Internal Review

By April 25th

Decisions Released

July 2025

Grant Experience Begins

Questions?