The Impact Area grant program was specifically focused on nonprofits in the Triangle serving youth ages 5-24, with a focus on youth from low-income backgrounds, youth from low-performing schools, youth with disabilities, youth with limited English proficiency, and youth of color. In addition, due to the effects of COVID-19 particularly on this population, organizations selected are addressing four key COVID-19 related concerns: learning loss, access to technology, food insecurity, and mental health. The grantee portfolio represents 10 organizations that serve Chatham county, 15 that serve Durham county, 13 that serve Orange county, 14 that serve Wake county, and four that are statewide. In terms of ages of youth, 20 organizations serve elementary-aged children, 21 organizations serve middle school-aged youth, 24 organizations serve high school, and 19 organizations post-high school (up to age 24). The awardees are as follows:
Book Harvest,
Charles Hamilton Houston Foundation, Inc.,
Communities In Schools of Chatham County,
Durham Public Schools Foundation,
El Futuro,
Haven House Services,
Hispanic Liaison of Chatham County,
Juntos - NC State University,
LatinxEd,
LIFE Skills Foundation,
Loaves and Fishes Ministry, Inc.,
Neighbor to Neighbor,
SEEDS,
Special Olympics North Carolina,
StandUp SpeakOut of NC,
Student U,
TABLE,
The Art Therapy Institute,
The CORRAL Riding Academy,
The Emily K Center,
The Hope Center at Pullen,
The White Oak Foundation, Inc.,
The Gifted Arts, Inc.,
Wake County Public School System (WAKE Up and Read),
Walltown Children's Theatre,
World Relief Durham,
Youth Education for Savings Consortium, and
Youth Villages.
Awardees were selected by the Foundation’s youth-advised grant committee for Education & Youth, which is itself half made up of youth members.
“We are overjoyed to partner with you in providing critical academic and social/emotional support for many of our community's most vulnerable youth,” said Elizabeth Thompson, Development Manager, World Relief Durham.
"We know that these nonprofit organizations value youth leadership and involvement as much as we do and have worked hard to adapt as new challenges were thrown at them this year,” said Sarah Battersby, Senior Scholarships & Education Officer. “I'm thrilled to be able to offer general operating support during a time when it is needed most, and to work with these nonprofits and our youth-led grant advisory committee over the coming year as our community continues to address the negative effects of COVID on our youth."
The Foundation’s
Education & Youth Impact area was revamped in 2020, with a concentrated focus on enabling and empowering youth leaders in the aforementioned populations. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the region, the Foundation shifted their grantmaking, recognizing that leadership and community involvement was not as possible during this time, and instead focused support on the more immediate needs of students.