HICKORY – The City of Hickory Community Relations Council (CRC) is currently seeking projects to fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and invites qualified groups or individuals to consider submitting grant requests.
“Hickory stands out as one of North Carolina’s most giving communities. The Community Relations Council is proud to support local organizations that make a meaningful impact. For more than 60 years, we’ve awarded grants to strengthen the Hickory area,” said Phyllis Michaux, CRC chair. “We invite local groups to submit the required documentation to be considered for funding. Our mission is to foster positive connections across diverse communities and to help identify resources that lead to successful programs and events.”
Nonprofit agencies, churches, institutions, schools, and individuals are invited to submit their programs for consideration. The grant application should be completed in full, approved by the director of the agency, and submitted to the CRC, care of the address on the application. Applications are reviewed twice a year. The deadline for submitting for the Fall 2025 grant cycle is Friday, Oct. 10, at noon. Applicants may include any 501(c)(3) or otherwise tax-exempt organizations.
Priority will, generally, be given to projects that are designed to deliver the greatest impact on positive human relations, that are most effective in bringing different sub-communities of Hickory together, and that provide services and resources to the people who can most benefit. Agencies are encouraged to partner with each other to avoid duplication of services and to maximize efficiency in delivering needed services. Detailed grant guidelines will be mailed with the application form.
Funds from the CRC are provided by the City of Hickory and may not be used to pay salaries or to construct buildings, and will not be used to promote a particular political or religious point of view. Funds may be used for contracts for services and/or specific honoraria.
A report on the use of the funds is required from recipient groups. This may include an invitation to present at a CRC monthly meeting. The CRC reserves the right to request an audit of funds allocated to ensure proper use. Projects may be funded partially or in full; however, priority will be given to projects for which matching funds are available.
Agencies receiving grant funding are asked to acknowledge the grant from the City of Hickory CRC in their publicity materials. A City of Hickory logo and a CRC logo will be provided for inclusion on all promotional materials.
Applicants are asked to submit 15 copies of the grant request.
Members of the CRC will hold a grant workshop on Monday, Sept. 22, from 5-7 p.m. in the upstairs conference room at Patrick Beaver Memorial Library. This workshop will be an opportunity for grant applicants to receive assistance and ask questions regarding their CRC grant applications.
Grant application forms are available online at www.hickorync.gov/community-relations-council, or by contacting staff liaison Lieutenant Justin Levey with the Hickory Police Department at 828-261-2617 or jlevey@hickorync.gov.