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 have:

  • A nonprofit operator

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

2024-25 Grant Opportunities

2024 applications now closed. Look for our next grant opportunities opening in early 2025.

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)

    • School leader has been identified and hired

    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 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 Closed

Founder’s Fellowship

THIS OPPORTUNITY IS INVITE ONLY.

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

    • Rolling through September 16th: Applicants will be invited to formally apply for this opportunity after passing an initial screening, consisting of an Expression of Interest form and Interest Interview

    • September 16th - 30th: Invited applicants complete a design task and in-depth interview

    • Mid-October: Decisions released

    • Late October: Grant experience begins

Application Process

STARTUP GRANT & SCHOOL QUALITY COHORT ONLY

Application

August 27th, 5-6pm 

Information session for interested leaders.
Recording here. Deck here.

September 9th - September 20th

Online application window

Selection

Rolling through September 27th

Get to Know You Interviews (virtual)

September 27th - October 7th

Document & Artifact Evaluation

Mid October - November 8th

Partnership & Alignment Interviews (virtual)

Site Visits (In-person)

Decision

November 12th - December 6th

Internal Review

By December 15th

Decisions Released

January 2025

Grant Experience Begins

Questions?