The John William Pope Foundation’s philanthropic vision is rooted in improving the well-being of North Carolinians through the advancement of individual freedom and personal responsibility. The Foundation’s giving is directed to four grant priorities to achieve this vision: public policy, education, human services, and the arts.

Grants are issued twice a year — in the spring (public policy and higher education) and the fall (human services, K-12 education, and the arts). The board may consider proposals that fall between meeting times at their discretion.

The Foundation accepts requests for general operating and project-specific grants in all four grant priority areas on a rolling basis.

Traditionally, public policy and higher education ‘Annual Giving’ proposals should be submitted by the Monday of February. Decisions are typically made by late May. Upcoming public policy and higher education cycle deadlines are as follows:

February 22, 2021
February 28, 2022
February 27, 2023

Traditionally, human services and arts ‘Annual Giving’ proposals should be submitted by last Monday of August. Decisions are typically made by late November. Upcoming human services and arts cycle deadlines are as follows:

August 30, 2021
August 29, 2022
August 28, 2023

The board may consider proposals that fall between meeting times at their discretion. Future deadline dates may be amended, so please check back annually.