To accomplish its purpose, the Foundation currently gives special attention to certain areas of focus:

• Community Economic Development
• Strengthening Democracy
• Environment
• Social Justice and Equity
• Pre-Collegiate Education

Applicants are encouraged to review the results sought within each relevant focus area; these are specific objectives that the Foundation hopes to address through its grant making.

While the listed focus areas are of highest priority for its grant making, the Foundation also desires to serve as a catalyst for new practices and ideas and to respond to challenges or opportunities that are unique to North Carolina. In addition to funding projects that achieve the goals of each area of focus, the Foundation is interested in building the capacity of nonprofit organizations and the nonprofit sector. 

There are, however, a number of uses, programs, and recipients to which the Foundation (with rare exception) does not make grants.  The Board of Trustees of the Foundation reserves the right to remain flexible its grant making policies.