OBX Community Foundation awards $60K in grants to nine nonprofits

Funding supports healthcare, arts, animal welfare, and environmental initiatives across the Outer Banks

Mar. 28, 2026 at 1:48pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A photorealistic studio still life featuring a stethoscope, dental mirror, and prescription medication bottles arranged on a clean, minimalist background, representing the healthcare initiatives supported by the grant funding.A collection of essential medical and dental tools symbolize the healthcare services supported by the Outer Banks Community Foundation's grant funding.Manteo Today

The Outer Banks Community Foundation (OBCF) recently awarded $60,000 in Community Enrichment Grants to nine local nonprofits addressing a range of community needs, including healthcare, arts and culture, animal welfare, historical preservation, and environmental stewardship.

Why it matters

The grants highlight the diverse array of organizations working to improve quality of life across the Outer Banks region, from providing essential dental care to supporting grieving families, preserving local beaches, and enriching artistic opportunities for youth.

The details

The grant recipients include the Community Care Clinic of Dare, which will use the funds to support its Tooth Fairy Fund for uninsured residents; The Chasing Rainbows Foundation, which will provide grief support kits for families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss; Friends of Jockey's Ridge, which will host a Concert on the Dunes; the Manteo Performing Arts Community and Mustang Music Outreach Program, which will purchase new equipment; Eastern North Carolina SPCA, which will assemble PAWmergency Safety Kits for first responders; the Marine Corps League Outer Banks Detachment; the Buxton Civic Association; and the Elizabethan Gardens.

  • The Community Foundation's next grant application deadline is Friday, April 24, 2026 for Focus Grants of up to $50,000.
  • The Friends of Jockey's Ridge Concert on the Dunes is scheduled for Friday, May 15.

The players

Outer Banks Community Foundation (OBCF)

A nonprofit organization that provides grants and other support to local nonprofits serving the Outer Banks region.

Community Care Clinic of Dare

A nonprofit healthcare provider offering services to uninsured working adults in Dare County.

The Chasing Rainbows Foundation

A nonprofit that supports Outer Banks families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss.

Friends of Jockey's Ridge

A nonprofit organization that supports and promotes Jockey's Ridge State Park.

Eastern North Carolina SPCA

A nonprofit animal welfare organization serving the Outer Banks region.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This first round of Community Enrichment Grants for 2026 highlights the wide range of organizations doing meaningful work across the Outer Banks.”

— Nandy Stuart, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Programs, Outer Banks Community Foundation

“The grant will allow us to provide immediate, tangible comfort and resources to local families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss. The support toolkits will create a foundation for families navigating grief, ensuring no one in our community walks through their grief alone.”

— Erin Collins, Founder, The Chasing Rainbows Foundation

“The OBCF grant made it possible to equip Dare County First Responders with items to contain pets in emergencies such as fires and automobile accidents. When first responders have the equipment in the PAWmergency Safety Kit on scene during emergencies, it can reduce the time they spend in harm's way trying to extract a traumatized pet.”

— Pam Anderson, Vice President, Eastern North Carolina SPCA

What’s next

The Community Foundation's next grant application deadline is Friday, April 24, 2026 for Focus Grants of up to $50,000, which prioritize projects addressing healthcare access, affordable housing, and child care initiatives.

The takeaway

The Outer Banks Community Foundation's diverse grant recipients demonstrate the breadth of local nonprofits working to improve quality of life, from providing essential healthcare services to preserving the region's natural and cultural heritage. These grants underscore the Foundation's commitment to supporting innovative, community-driven solutions across the Outer Banks.