First Horizon Foundation – North Carolina Community Grants (2027)
Corporate Foundation Grants Supporting Education, Arts, Financial Literacy, Health, and Community Development in Select North Carolina Communities
First Horizon Foundation provides charitable grants to nonprofit organizations strengthening communities throughout its banking service areas. In North Carolina, the Foundation supports eligible organizations working in arts and culture, education and leadership, environmental sustainability, financial literacy, and health and human services.
The 2027 grant application cycle opens November 1, 2026, with awards announced throughout the year. No application closing date is currently published.
Organization: First Horizon Foundation
Support Type: Corporate foundation grants
Geographic Focus: Select communities across North Carolina
Application Opens: November 1, 2026
Application Deadline: No closing date published
About the Funder
First Horizon Foundation is the charitable foundation associated with First Horizon Corporation, a financial services company headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.
The Foundation invests in nonprofit organizations that strengthen communities, expand access to opportunity, and improve quality of life across its service areas.
Its philanthropic priorities emphasize education, cultural enrichment, environmental sustainability, financial empowerment, and community well-being.
What This Program Supports
First Horizon Foundation focuses its charitable investments on five primary areas.
Arts & Culture
Programs supporting cultural institutions, arts education, creative expression, and opportunities for residents to participate in arts and cultural experiences.
Education & Leadership
Initiatives that improve educational opportunities, strengthen student achievement, develop leadership skills, and prepare young people for future success.
Environmental Sustainability
Programs promoting conservation, environmental education, responsible stewardship of natural resources, and sustainable communities.
Financial Literacy
Initiatives improving financial knowledge, money management skills, budgeting, saving, and long-term financial stability.
Health & Human Services
Programs improving physical and mental well-being, expanding access to essential services, supporting vulnerable populations, and strengthening families and communities.
Eligible Support Types
- Community-based nonprofit programs
- Arts and cultural initiatives
- Educational and leadership development programs
- Environmental sustainability projects
- Financial literacy and economic empowerment programs
- Health and human services initiatives
Geographic Eligibility
First Horizon Foundation identifies the following North Carolina communities and areas as eligible for its grant program:
Western North Carolina
- Asheville
- Hickory
- Lenoir
- Morganton
- Watauga
- Wilkesboro
Central North Carolina and the Piedmont Triad
- Winston-Salem
- Greensboro
Triangle Region
- Raleigh
- Cary
- Durham
- Chapel Hill
Charlotte and Southeastern North Carolina
- Charlotte
- Fayetteville
Organizations should confirm that their programs serve one of the Foundation’s designated communities or eligible surrounding service areas.
Important: This is not a general statewide grant program. Eligibility is tied to First Horizon Foundation’s identified North Carolina communities.
Eligibility & Preferences
Applicants should:
- Be an eligible nonprofit or charitable organization
- Serve one of the designated First Horizon Foundation communities in North Carolina
- Demonstrate alignment with at least one of the Foundation’s five charitable giving priorities
- Identify a clear community need
- Describe proposed activities and anticipated outcomes
- Demonstrate meaningful local community benefit
- Submit a complete application through the Foundation’s online grant portal
The Foundation emphasizes charitable investments that respond to community needs and promote long-term progress and prosperity.
Ineligible Requests
First Horizon Foundation generally does not support:
- Grants to individuals
- Trips and tours
- Charities sponsored solely by a single civic organization
- Organizations primarily redistributing funds to other charities, except recognized united-fund organizations
- K–12 schools
- Solely religious, social, or fraternal organizations
- Political organizations or activities primarily intended to influence legislation
- Requests to cover operating budget deficits
Applicants should review the current grantmaking guidelines for any additional restrictions.
Funding Amounts
First Horizon Foundation does not publish a standard minimum or maximum grant amount for its North Carolina community grants.
Award amounts vary based on the proposed initiative, geographic priorities, organizational needs, and available funding.
Timeline & Review
📅 Application Opens: November 1, 2026
📅 Application Deadline: No closing date currently published
📅 Award Notifications: Throughout 2027
The Foundation does not publish a fixed closing date for this North Carolina application cycle.
Applicants should confirm current submission availability before applying.
Application / Request Process
Applications must be submitted through First Horizon Foundation’s online grant application system.
Applicants should:
- Confirm that their organization serves one of the eligible North Carolina communities.
- Review the Foundation’s five charitable giving priorities.
- Identify the community need addressed by the proposed program.
- Prepare organizational information, program details, and anticipated outcomes.
- Complete and submit the online application through the Foundation’s grant portal.
Regional Contact: Caroline Babyak
Email: cababyak@firsthorizon.com
Apply / Learn More: https://firsthorizonfoundation.com/apply-for-a-grant/north-carolina
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
First Horizon Foundation’s North Carolina community grants are particularly well suited for local nonprofits addressing needs in the Foundation’s designated service communities.
Organizations working in education, youth leadership, arts and culture, environmental sustainability, financial literacy, healthcare, and human services may find strong alignment.
The broad funding priorities make this opportunity relevant to organizations with a wide range of missions, while the regional approach emphasizes direct local community benefit.
Because the Foundation does not publish a fixed closing date and announces awards throughout the year, applicants may have flexibility in planning their requests, subject to confirmation of current application availability.
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
Review Type: Regional grant cycle; no closing date published
Application Opens: November 1, 2026
Application Deadline: Not published
Award Notifications: Throughout 2027
Funding Amount: Not publicly specified
Best Suited For: Community-based nonprofits serving designated North Carolina communities
Geographic Focus: Asheville, Hickory, Lenoir, Morganton, Watauga, Wilkesboro, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, and Fayetteville