Philanthropic Partnerships

Government and philanthropy often work toward similar or complementary goals. By partnering strategically, the sectors can share resources (expertise, relationships, and capital) to achieve greater impact in North Carolina in ways that no one sector can accomplish on its own.

OSBM's Role

OSBM provides support to agencies and philanthropies in a variety of ways: 

• We help state and philanthropic sectors navigate each other's complexities and strengthen communications that empower collaboration.
• We support state and philanthropic efforts that facilitate collaborative opportunities for the two sectors to enhance the impact of their resource investments.
• We create feedback loops that help both sectors learn what works, refine strategies, and scale initiatives that deliver meaningful, measurable improvements for North Carolinians.
• Contact partnerships@osbm.nc.gov for more information.

Philanthropy-State Government Partnerships

Philanthropy and state government partnerships are rooted in mutual interests. For example, health and human resource challenges, and the needs of rural communities, and communities that have been historically underserved.   

Opportunities for state government and philanthropy to partner emerge from connection and mutual understanding of each other’s resources. This resource helps state agencies understand the philanthropic sector in North Carolina and provides tips on engaging potential philanthropic partners.

State government and philanthropy partnership can take many forms. For example, state agencies and philanthropy may work with a third-party intermediary, such as a nonprofit. Or a statewide foundation can align its grantmaking with state priorities. 

Supporting use of evidence provides a key opportunity for state government and philanthropy partnership. Philanthropy can catalyze state government and research partnerships. For example, this resource demonstrates how a philanthropy facilitated collaboration between a higher education institution and a state agency that increased the agency’s use of research-based trauma practices in court.

State Grantmaking

The state of North Carolina is the state’s largest grantmaker. This site identifies types of grant opportunities from the state agencies.