NC Idea
Accepts applications
NC Idea is a private foundation in Durham, North Carolina. In tax year 2024 it gave $2.6 million in 190 grants; the typical grant was $7,500 and the largest $65,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$2.6 million
- Number of grants190
- Typical grant$7,500
- Largest grant$65,000
- Assets$51.6 million
- New grantees74%
Giving in 2024 was up from $1.6 million the year before.
74% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $3.5 million | 168 | $52.9 million |
| 2023 | $1.6 million | 172 | $51.5 million |
| 2024 | $2.6 million | 190 | $51.6 million |
How to apply
| Contact | NC Idea 411 W Chapel Hill Street Suite C2, Durham, NC 27701 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (919) 941-5600 |
| What to submit | The organization's $10,000 micro grant provides small amounts of funding to entrepreneurs who are testing a big, new business idea. Through small, project-based grants, the organization grants micro awards funding up to $10,000 to young companies looking to validate and advance their idea. Management has found that funding, paired with mentorship and guidance, early in a company's lifecycle, can make a significant impact on future success. When evaluating each application, nc idea will make an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of each applicant company in the following areas: idea, technology, team, market, competition, strategy, funding, and impact. Additional details on the evaluation criteria can be found here: https://ncidea.org/nc-idea-micro/ |
| Deadlines | Additional details on the submission timeline can be found at: https://ncidea.org/nc-idea-micro/ |
| Restrictions | For micro grants, nc idea's evaluation process is rigorous and competitive. Companies must meet criteria related to geography, industry, stage of development, team, market opportunity, and prior and future investment in order to be considered. Additional details regarding eligibility can be found at: https://ncidea.org/nc-idea-micro/ submission deadlines: nc idea's micro grant program has two grant cycles each year. Our spring grant cycle typically opens in mid-february, while our fall grant cycle opens sometime between mid-august and early september. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What NC Idea funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 4 states, the most to North Carolina.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 185 | $2.5 million |
| New York | 2 | $35,000 |
| California | 2 | $10,000 |
| Texas | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Black Girl Magic Market | Ecosystem grants | $65,000 |
| First Flight Venture Center | Ecosystem grants | $63,360 |
| Forward Cities | Ecosystem grants | $60,000 |
| Ab Community | Ecosystem grants | $51,667 |
| Matcha Nude | Seed grants | $50,000 |
| Wheelprice | Seed grants | $50,000 |
| Atlantic Fish Co | Seed grants | $45,000 |
| Hoppy Planet Foods | Seed grants | $45,000 |
| Prospera | Ecosystem grants | $45,000 |
| Sunlight | Seed grants | $45,000 |
| Virnika | Seed grants | $42,502 |
| Gwen | Ecosystem grants | $40,000 |
| Hatch Avl Foundation | Ecosystem grants | $40,000 |
| Riot | Ecosystem grants | $40,000 |
| Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Foundation | Ecosystem grants | $35,000 |
| Industrial Commons | Ecosystem grants | $35,000 |
| Living Better Life | Ecosystem grants | $35,000 |
| Academic Insight Lab | Seed grants | $35,000 |
| Redirection CDC | Ecosystem grants | $35,000 |
| Scale Social | Seed grants | $35,000 |
| Junction Business Services Inc | Ecosystem grants | $34,000 |
| Fashivity | Seed grants | $31,250 |
| Verenovo | Seed grants | $30,000 |
| Wayne Charitable Partnership | Ecosystem grants | $30,000 |
| We Power Food | Ecosystem grants | $30,000 |
| Webb Squared | Ecosystem grants | $30,000 |
| Winston Starts | Ecosystem grants | $30,000 |
| XR Technologies | Seed grants | $30,000 |
| Arclet LLC | Seed grants | $26,500 |
| Weyeze | Seed grants | $26,100 |
| Blush Cowork | Ecosystem grants | $25,000 |
| Flexie | Seed grants | $25,000 |
| Gameflo | Seed grants | $25,000 |
| Growmetix | Ecosystem grants | $25,000 |
| Hustle | Ecosystem grants | $25,000 |
| Mountain Bizworks Inc | Ecosystem grants | $25,000 |
| NC Central University | Ecosystem grants | $25,000 |
| Provident 1898 | Ecosystem grants | $25,000 |
| The Wright Village | Ecosystem grants | $25,000 |
| Uncw Cie | Ecosystem grants | $25,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Thomas R Ruhe
- Heather McWhorter
- David Morris
- Tom Snyder
- Spencer Disher
- Sonja Ebron
- Jerry Edmonds III
- Jose Alvarez
- Krista Covey
- Keith Luedeman
Questions people ask
Does NC Idea accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Additional details on the submission timeline can be found at: https://ncidea.org/nc-idea-micro/.
How much does NC Idea give?
$2.6 million in tax year 2024, across 190 grants, with a typical grant of $7,500.
Who runs NC Idea?
Its 2024 filing lists Thomas R Ruhe (Ceo), Heather McWhorter (Board Member), David Morris (Board Member) and Tom Snyder (Board Member) among 10 officers and trustees.
What does NC Idea fund?
Based on its grants, mainly community development, education and food and hunger.