Grantmaking Overview

Ribbon of Hope Grants are one-year capacity-building grants of up to $50,000 focused on strengthening the internal capacity of organizations doing work that aligns with the Foundation’s intended impact and one or more strategic priorities. These grants offer support for defined organizational development efforts, including, but not limited to planning, systems, evaluation, and leadership development, rather than direct program delivery.



Program Grants are single-year or multi-year commitments across the state of North Carolina to organizations that demonstrate alignment with the Foundation’s intended impact and one or more strategic priorities, as well as strong intended outcomes related to priority-level measures.



Discretionary Grants provide flexible funding for emerging opportunities and needs. These grants are invitation-only, to act on time-sensitive opportunities outside the core portfolio.



The Foundation also supports two signature programs, the Gertrude B. Elion Science Scholars and the Child Health Awards, in partnership with existing grantees.



Eligibility

In order to submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) for consideration to the NC GSK Foundation, organizations must:

  • Be a 501c3 nonprofit organization or have a 501c3 fiscal sponsor
  • Serve North Carolina (priority for rural and/or underserved communities)
  • Have filed a 990
  • Demonstrate alignment with the Foundation’s intended impact and at least one of our three strategic priorities:
    • Building the Pipeline
    • Increasing Attainment
    • Connecting Learners
  • Current and recent grantees should wait at least one year (12 months) after the conclusion of the most recent grant before submitting a new LOI through the Foundation’s open grant cycle.
Selection Criteria

The Foundation will consider the following criteria when reviewing proposals:

  • Strategic alignment with the Foundation’s priorities
  • Service within underserved, economically distressed, and/or rural communities
  • Need and opportunity that the proposal seeks to address
  • Strength and clarity of proposed approach
  • Organizational readiness to successfully manage and benefit from the requested investment
Reporting Expectations

Ribbon of Hope grantees will be asked to submit a narrative and financial report at the end of the one-year grant period documenting outputs and outcomes.



Program grantees will be required to submit an annual narrative report tracking outcomes, achievements, and barriers encountered over the course of the grant, as well as a year-to-date financial report.



All grantees will be invited to a brief meeting post-report submission, which may be virtual or in-person as time and ability allow. Additional/interim meetings may be requested/arranged between the Foundation and the grantee.



Grantmaking Timeline

Round 1 (Spring Decision)



  • LOI opens: September
  • LOI submission deadline: October
  • Applicants notified of advancement: December
  • Complete application due: January
  • Funding decisions finalized: March

Round 2 (Summer Decision)



  • LOI opens: December
  • LOI submission deadline: January
  • Applicants notified of advancement: March
  • Complete application due: April
  • Funding decisions finalized: June

Round 3 (Fall Decision)



  • LOI period opens: March
  • LOI submission deadline: April
  • Applicants notified of advancement: June
  • Complete application due: July
  • Funding decisions finalized: September