The Joy W. Pope Memorial Grant Program is an annual competitive grant opportunity for organizations in the arts and human services. Through the two grants, the foundation seeks to foster innovation and model solutions across the Tar Heel State. Since 2015, the Pope Foundation has awarded nearly $1 million to North Carolina nonprofits.
Each of the two grants offered awards up to $100,000 in project-specific funding. Applications for the 2021 grants will be accepted between June 15 – September 15, 2020. You can read more about the individual grant opportunities and past recipients through the links below.
2021 Joy W. Pope Grant in the Arts
2021 Joy W. Pope Grant in Human Services
Joy W. Pope Grant in the Arts
Apply: June 15 – September 15, 2020
Award Date: January 2021
Link to download arts grant paper guide
Historically, North Carolina has many unique arts traditions that date back centuries and include Appalachian folk and Piedmont blues music, Cherokee craftwork like beading and carving, and Seagrove pottery. But the scope of arts in our state isn’t limited to traditional arts or distinct geographic regions. As North Carolina has continued to grow and evolve, so have the state’s arts traditions. Today, North Carolinians from Murphy to Manteo celebrate, host, and create a broad spectrum of the arts in small and large venues alike. These arts have intrinsic value and bring important benefits to our communities. It’s why the John William Pope Foundation, traditionally a Triangle area-focused grantmaker, created the Joy W. Pope Memorial Grant in the Arts program in 2015. It’s a way for us to support innovative ideas beyond our normal geographic focus and highlight the valuable contributions in the nonprofit arts arena.
Description
The Joy W. Pope Memorial Grant in the Arts is designed to recognize innovative projects in visual arts, performing arts, and literary arts that ultimately serve the greater community.
For this grant, an innovative project would likely be one or more of the following:
- A project that is an entirely new creation.
- A project that addresses how things could be done better (improving processes, procedures, equipment, facilities, etc.).
- A project that addresses how things could be done differently (expanding what is done to reach new populations).
Regardless of the what the project does, the end result should be a quantifiable gain for the organization and the people it serves. Organizations are limited to one project-specific proposal.
Amount Awarded
In 2020, the Joy W. Pope Memorial Grant program is operating with an amended funding model. COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll on nonprofit activities and funding streams. These impacts spurred our foundation to consider how we can best support arts projects through this grant program. Where in the past the foundation has sought to award one$100,000 grant, this year’s funding will award a total of $100,000 to one or more projects. In making this change, we hope to create more flexibility for organizations who may have scaled back projects or who have lost funding streams for previously planned projects. Organizations are encouraged to apply for any amount of funding needed between $25,000 – $100,000. We may meet grant requests partially or fully, but applicants should not request less than $25,000 or more than $100,000. This may result in the foundation issuing one, two, or more grants.
Joy W. Pope Grant in Human Services
Apply: June 15 – September 15, 2020
Award Date: January 2021
Link to download human services grant paper guide
“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime,” is an often-quoted proverb. But for the John William Pope Foundation, it’s also a guiding philosophy. We make grants to nonprofit organizations who address both immediate needs (for example, hunger) and long-term needs (for example, learning opportunities). Ultimately, restoring people in crisis and shining a light on pathways to self-betterment ensures that future generations have the opportunity to prosper, both economically and socially. But no one private institution could or should do these things alone. Across North Carolina, nonprofits extend a hand up to those in need and in doing so directly contribute to the flourishing of self-empowered citizens. It’s why the John William Pope Foundation, a traditionally Triangle-area focused grantmaker, created the Joy W. Pope Memorial Grant in Human Services program in 2015. It’s a way for us to support innovative ideas beyond our normal geographic scope and highlight valuable contributions that are being made in the human services arena.
Description
The Joy W. Pope Memorial Grant in Human Services is designed to recognize innovative projects across all spectrums of human service work, however it is not intended for medical research.
For this grant, an innovative project would likely be one or more of the following:
- A project that is an entirely new creation.
- A project that addresses how things could be done better (improving processes, procedures, equipment, facilities, etc.).
- A project that addresses how things could be done differently (expanding what is done to reach new populations).
Regardless of the what the project does, the end result should be a quantifiable gain for the organization and the people it serves. Organizations are limited to one project-specific proposal.
Amount Awarded
In 2020, the Joy W. Pope Memorial Grant program is operating with an amended funding model. COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll on nonprofits’ activities and funding streams. These impacts spurred our foundation to consider how we can best support projects through this grant program. Where in the past the foundation has sought to award one $100,000 grant, this year’s funding will award a total of $100,000 to one or more projects. In making this change, we hope to create more flexibility for organizations who may have scaled back projects or who have lost funding streams for previously planned projects. Organizations are encouraged to apply for any amount of funding needed between $25,000 – $100,000. We may meet grant requests partially or fully, but applicants should not request less than $25,000 or more than $100,000. This may result in the foundation issuing one, two, or more grants.
Application Process
Applications can be submitted online or by mail (please choose one method only). The same information is requested in both online and paper applications.
Required Information
- Basic contact information.
- A project narrative that includes a description of your project, the project’s timeline, details about who the project will serve/reach, explanations of how you will measure the project’s success, brief descriptions of the key people involved in the project and any relevant qualifications, details about how you are obtaining funding for the project, and what specific portion of the total cost that the grant will fund.
- A copy of your IRS ‘Letter of Determination’ showing the tax-exempt status.
- A copy of your most recent 990, if you file a full return.
- A copy of your most recent audited financials (if you don’t perform audits, a balance sheet for the most recent completed fiscal year reflecting assets, liabilities, and net assets is sufficient).
- List of current board members/officers and staff.
- Project budget (entire project–not just the portion of the project that the Joy W. Pope Memorial Grant will be supporting).
Applying Online
All requested information will be entered through our website portal. Copies of You will be able to upload attachments (all common file types supported). You will receive an automated confirmation email for your application and a personalized emailed confirmation letter.
Applying by Mail
Please submit all requested information in one package via mail (postmarked by 9/15/2020) to John William Pope Foundation, 4601 Six Forks Road, Ste 300, Raleigh, NC 27609. You will receive an emailed confirmation letter that we are in receipt of your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the proposed project guidelines?
- Eligible projects include capital improvements (new or existing), program development and execution, equipment, and technology. This list is not exhaustive and other grant purposes will be considered.
- Proposed projects should not entirely consist of general operating support.
- Proposed projects should not be requests for endowment contributions.
- Projects should be completed by the end of 2021 and grant recipients will be asked to submit a final report.
- Requests should be between $25,000 – $100,000.
Who can apply?
Any 501(c)3 charitable organization in good standing with the IRS, based in North Carolina, and serving our state’s residents is eligible to apply.
What is the timeline from application to award?
Applications accepted: June 15 – September 15, 2020
Committee review: September 15 – December 1, 2020
Board makes final decisions: December 2020
Selected organization notified and grant issued: January 2021
Public announcement: Early 2021
Final report from selected organization due: January 2022
When will be notified about the status of our application?
The selected organizations’ president/CEO will be notified by phone around January 15, 2021. Organizations whose projects are not selected for funding will receive mailed notification by February 15, 2021.
What are the evaluation criteria?
Pope Foundation staff reviews grant proposals. Recommendations for funding are presented to the board of directors who makes the final decision. Evaluation questions we ask are:
- Is the project consistent with the mission and values of the Pope Foundation?
- Does the proposed project create something new, do something better, or do something differently?
- Does the proposal clearly detail the need and explain the quantifiable gain for the organization and its clients?
- Is the project a good use of one-time funds?
- Is there a viable funding plan if costs continue past the first year of the project?
- Is the budget practical and necessary?
- Does the organization seem to implement best practices in their work?
- Does the organization have the qualifications to do the work?
Who should we contact if we have questions?
We are unable to provide detailed feedback about your potential proposal prior to submission. However, if you have questions or need more information, please email us at grants@jwpf.org or call us at 919-871-3329.
Past Recipients
2016 Recipients: Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra (Fayetteville, N.C.) & Dandelion (Hendersonville, N.C.)
The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, based in Fayetteville, N.C., will use their $100,000 grant to create an instrument lending library for members of their youth orchestra program. The symphony will lend instruments to families that cannot afford rental fees and will lend instruments that are not readily available in the area, such as the ‘A clarinet.” In return, students will commit to participation in the youth orchestra, which will offer performance opportunities and coaching by the symphony’s professional musicians. Currently 50 students participate in the youth orchestra, representing Robeson, Hoke, Moore, and Lee Counties in addition to Cumberland County. Read more.
The Dandelion Eatery, a project of Safelight Family Services (formerly Mainstay Women’s Shelter) received a one-time gift of $100,000 to expand its commercial teaching kitchen. Opened in 2013, Dandelion Eatery provides jobs training for domestic violence victims while operating as a restaurant open to the public. Dandelion is located in Hendersonville, N.C. and is open M-F, 10 am – 3 pm. Tanya Blackford, Director of Safelight, thanked the Pope Foundation for this gift. “We are grateful to have the Pope Foundation partner with us to expand the Dandelion program. This generous investment will allow us to offer job training internships to even more clients. Completing this program is essential to a victim’s long-term success in re-entering the workforce and being able to provide for her family.” Read more.
2017 Recipients: Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center (Robbinsville, N.C.) & Wesley Shelter (Wilson, N.C.)
Nestled in the far Western North Carolina Mountains, well past Cherokee, the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center is providing arts and cultural experiences for Graham County residents and children. The facility is a nearly 100-yard old schoolhouse, turned into classroom space, a community kitchen, a theater, and outdoor areas with the sweat equity of residents who wanted to see the building returned to it’s former glory. With their 2017 Joy W. Pope Memorial Grant, Executive Director Beth Fields will bring “Courtyard of the Cherokee” space to life. Recognizing the seven clans of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the outdoor space will feature original artwork by local artisans, native plantings and seating. Read more.
Where do women and their families in domestic violence crisis go in Wilson County, North Carolina? The Wesley Shelter works daily to make sure women in crisis know they have a safe place and resources at their organization. Founded in 1983, the Shelter offers comprehensive services for domestic and sexual violence victims, homeless women and children, and human trafficking survivors. The Shelter serves over 1,500 people each year and relies on over 100 volunteers and 19 professional staff members to help serve their clients. Led by Executive Director Lynne White, the Shelter has also grown their Spanish Outreach Mission, targeting an often underserved community with bilingual services and more. With their 2017 Joy W. Pope Memorial Grant, the Shelter will improve their emergency housing shelter by making it handicap accessible and increasing the number of beds they are able to offer. Read more.
2018 Recipients: Stokes County Arts Council (Danbury, N.C.) & Haywood Pathways Center (Waynesville, N.C.)
Stokes County Arts Council used the 2018 Joy W. Pope Memorial Grant in Arts to complete phase two construction of The Arts Place of Stokes. Opened in 2017, The Arts Place is a multi-purpose community arts facility. Along with additional funding already received, Stokes Arts used their grant to construct a classroom/meeting space, pottery studio, prep kitchen, reception area, artist’s studios and a rooftop patio. Stokes Arts also installed an ADA-compliant wheelchair lift, adding accessibility to the space. Stokes Arts was founded in 1975 and has grown to offer arts education programming in all 19 county schools, gallery exhibits, arts classes and special programs.
Haywood Pathways Center used the 2018 Joy W. Pope Memorial Grant in Human Services to help fund the construction of an emergency/short-term shelter for homeless families. Increased need and a local motel’s closing expedited the project. At inception, it was the only emergency housing in Haywood County for homeless women with children. Haywood Pathways formed in 2014 when multiple organizations merged, and a defunct jail was repurposed with special assistance from TV star Ty Pennington. Haywood Pathways supports men, women and children during periods of crisis with services that include emergency housing, a soup kitchen and employment training.
2019 Recipients: Mount Olive University (Mount Olive, N.C.) & ABC of NC (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
The University of Mount Olive will use the Joy W. Pope Memorial Grant in Arts for a black box theatre project in downtown Mount Olive. In June 2018, the University acquired the former Glenn-Martin Drug Store, which closed in 2009 after 70 years of business, and is planning a full renovation of the space. The 6,785 square-foot building will house classrooms, performance space, offices, set and prop storage, dressing rooms and meeting areas. Proposed uses include space for theatrical, dance, and musical classes and performances, social gatherings, summer camps, movie showings and more. The theatre will be the only performance space in the town and will be used by both students and residents. The University expects the theatre to open its doors this year.
ABC of NC will use the Joy W. Pope Memorial Grant in Human Services to support a groundbreaking life skills center in their new SECU Autism Clinic. The Joy W. Pope Life Skills Center will feature job skill training labs; a coffee café; and a mock grocery store, doctor’s office, dentist’s office, hair salon and apartment/hotel room. The Center will be available to ASD clients ages 16 months to 21 years for realistic skill building, opening windows of opportunity for both children and families. Other corporate support for the Joy W. Pope Life Skills Center includes Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Great Clips, Daly Hotel Management, Dewey’s Bakery, Food Lion and Spangler, Rohlfing & Lambert Pediatric Dentistry. ABC of NC expects the Center to be fully operational this year.
Program History
The late John William Pope, Sr. was a WWII veteran, a retailer, and entrepreneur. He took a small holding of five-and-dime stores and built Variety Wholesalers, Inc., the parent company of stores like Roses and Maxway. At John’s side through business and philanthropic ventures alike washis wife, the late Joy W. Pope. The John William Pope Foundation was established by the Pope family in 1986 with the mission to ensure future generations of North Carolinians have the opportunity to prosper. To accomplish this, the Pope Foundation makes grants to support public policy research, arts, human services, and education. The Joy W. Pope Memorial Grant program honors Joy’s lifelong commitment to philanthropic service, both within her state and her family foundation.