Resourceful Communities Small Grants

About the Creating New Fund Economies Fund

Our Resourceful Communities small grant program, the Creating New Economies Fund (CNEF), provides direct investment in community-based efforts. Seed money supports a range of projects: youth leadership programs, outdoor access and education, garden and local food programming, nutrition education, entrepreneurship programs, ecotourism and heritage tourism, and more.

Information about our small grants program

The 2026 Creating New Economies Fund Grant Cycle opens January 5, 2026.

Stay tuned for more details and application instructions. Don’t miss your chance to apply!

We do not support individuals, for-profits (LLCs), nonprofit organizations with budgets over $300K (or churches with budgets over $500,000), or nonprofit organizations in the following counties: Buncombe, Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Mecklenburg, New Hanover, Orange, and Wake Counties.
Applicants are required to speak with a Resourceful Communities staff member by February 6th, 2026 about their proposal before submitting an application.
Click here to view important dates for the 2026 Creating New Economies Fund grant cycle.
Click here to view Eligibility and Frequently Asked Questions about the 2026 Creating New Economies Fund grant cycle.
Click here to view the Creating New Economies Fund’s 2025 list of grantees.

Apply here

Tools and forms to assist CNEF applicants

Sample application

Click here to download a sample Word Version of our CNEF Application. Please note you will still need to complete and submit your application online at: https://tinyurl.com/CNEF2026

Triple bottom line

Need help understanding the triple bottom line (CNEF Application Question #6), a requirement for all funded projects? Click here for more information.

Sample budget

Click here to download a completed sample budget (Word document).

Click here to download a template budget (Word document).

Click here to download a template budget (Excel spreadsheet).

Please be sure to include non-cash or in-kind support. Learn more here.