Community Grant Application Form
About the Durham Bar Foundation's Annual Community Grant Program
The Durham Bar Foundation is committed to supporting nonprofit entities in Durham that work tirelessly to improve the lives of our neighbors. Our mission is to promote access to justice, poverty alleviation, economic empowerment or community/public health, environmental conservation or educational benefits.
Through this grant program, we hope to provide financial support to programs, experiences and processes that leverage your current resources and empower you to do more, however, our grants are not intended to provide ongoing support year over year. Here are just two examples of how our grant might work: Our funds could make it possible for you do something pivotal that does not need future funding but IMPACTS your ongoing success, OR, we could help you test a program or initiative for which other ongoing funding would be unlocked elsewhere.
All of this is to say, we're open to your ideas!
The 2026 grant program will award grants to two (2) entitles. Each grant will be in the amount of $5000.
Funding for these grants is made possible through our Annual Foundation Benefit, as well as the generous contributions of our members and donors. We are currently seeking applications for projects that demonstrate a clear, positive impact on the residents of Durham.
Key Deadlines & Timeline
March 16, 2026: The Bar President has authorized a "Call for Applications."
May 1, 2026: The deadline for submitting grant applications.
Late May: All applicants will be notified of their status in the process.
June 10, 2026: Grants are awarded at the Annual Meeting of the Bar and Foundation.
Application Requirements
To be considered, an application must include:
A Project Description: A comprehensive overview of the program including all resources, both those that already exist and resources that the grant might provide. This overview should delineate how the grant funds will be used, and how the entity will report these expenses. Please itemize people, roles, descriptions of work, and a timeline.
Impact Metrics: Estimated number of people who will benefit, including any persons, entities, or target populations.
A Mission Alignment Statement: Explanation of how the project benefits the target population. This includes who it helps, what it does, and how your impact is measured.
A Financial Breakdown: The specific amount requested and an itemized budget.
The form to submit your grant is at this link, and attachments are welcome. You may also send a separate, complete grant application of your own design to our program by emailing our Executive Director, Bonnie Biggs, at info@durhambar.org.