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DURHAM – Since its inception, NC IDEA ENGAGE has championed its mission to expand the reach of entrepreneurial communities in North Carolina by offering $5,000 grants to organizations and advocates supporting entrepreneurs. These small grants help develop new programs and community events; and facilitate efforts that bring like-minded folks together to support entrepreneurial activity.

Four years and over 150 grants later, we continue to see the impact on communities throughout the state. Approximately 75% of grants have been awarded in support of organizations or individuals offering programming focused specifically on under-represented entrepreneurs; those in Tier 1 or 2 counties, minority, or female founders.

NC IDEA ENGAGE funds exciting and diverse entrepreneurial programs and events from the mountains to the coast. Recent recipients include HUSTLE Winston-Salem’s Black-Owned Table Talk, Mountain BizWorks’ Outdoor Economy Conference, Durham SOUP, Soy Emprendedor in Winston-Salem, Ice House programming at Correctional Institutions via Mayland Community College, and Carteret County Public Library’s Entrepreneurship Workshops among many, many others. A directory of organizations and events NC IDEA has supported via ENGAGE can be seen here.

NC IDEA accepts ENGAGE grant applications on a rolling basis allowing us to actively meet new organizations, and help them offer new initiatives, programming and events throughout the year. If you have a program, activity, or need that supports ambitious entrepreneurs, we would love to hear from you and invite you to apply for an NC IDEA ENGAGE grant!