HICKORY — The City of Hickory Community Relations Council is seeking projects to fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 and invited qualified groups or individuals to submit grant requests, the city said Aug. 14, 2026.
Nonprofit agencies, churches, institutions, and schools may apply. The city said the application must be completed in full, approved by the agency director, and submitted to the CRC at the address on the form. Applications are reviewed twice a year. The Fall 2026 deadline is Monday, Sept. 28, at noon. Applicants may include 501(c)(3) or otherwise tax-exempt organizations.
Priority, the city said, generally goes to projects with the greatest impact on positive human relations, that bring different sub-communities of Hickory together, and that provide services and resources to people who can most benefit. Agencies are encouraged to partner to avoid duplicating services.
CRC funds come from the City of Hickory. They may not be used to pay salaries or to construct buildings and will not be used to promote a particular political or religious point of view. Funds may be used for contracts for services and/or specific honoraria.
Recipient groups must report on the use of the funds, which may include an invitation to present at a CRC monthly meeting. The CRC reserves the right to request an audit. Projects may be funded in part or in full; priority goes to projects with matching funds available.
Agencies that receive grants are asked to acknowledge the City of Hickory CRC in publicity. The city said a City of Hickory logo and a CRC logo will be provided. Applicants are asked to submit 15 copies of the grant request.
Forms are at www.hickorync.gov/community-relations-council, or from staff liaison Captain Justin Levey of the Hickory Police Department at 828-261-2617 or [email protected].
The Aug. 14 notice does not list a maximum award, a total pot, or how many Fall 2025 grants were issued.
Official release from City of Hickory, Aug. 14, 2026. https://www.hickorync.gov/project-grants-available-hickory-community-relations-council
