Grant Guidelines

The Residents of Old Wilmington, Inc. (ROW) is a private non-profit, membership-based organization that collaborates with public and private organizations in the development of a vibrant, prosperous, and balanced community in downtown Wilmington. ROW supports community projects that:

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• Enhance the natural beauty of the downtown ROW district (defined as lying between Red Cross and Queen Streets, from Eighth Street to the Cape Fear River)

• Foster the health of downtown arts and cultural programs or facilities and other community services that enhance the downtown ROW district

• Reflect the diverse needs of the ROW district

• Are capital improvements and are not for salaries or ongoing operational expenses

• Are one-time in nature, and do not establish a regular pattern of support

The ROW Grants, Contributions and Gifting Committee, and the Board of Directors have identified several desirable grant focus areas for additional grant application guidance. While not excluding other worthy grant applications that meet the above guidelines, these are current focus areas in the community that the ROW Board is especially interested in supporting. A copy of the Strategic Targeting of ROW Financial Contributions can be found at the bottom of this document.

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• Eligibility: Wilmington-based organizations, schools, or public agencies that have an impact on the downtown ROW district are eligible to apply for a grant. Individuals are not eligible to apply for ROW grants. No grant funds shall be awarded for, or used by grant recipients, to cover administrative costs in any project. Funding requests deemed by the board to potentially jeopardize ROW’s 501(c)(3) charitable, non-profit status will be denied. Sponsorship requests are not typically approved. Applicants cannot have received a ROW grant in the last three years.

• Size of Grants: Grant awards typically range between $500 and $3,000. Occasionally, larger awards are made to support especially meritorious projects. Any grant approvals exceeding $1000 must be approved by a vote of the ROW members.

• Completeness of Application: Only fully completed applications will be reviewed by the Grants, Contributions and Gifting Committee. The Committee Chair will contact the applicant concerning any missing information or additional information that may be required. The full Committee will review the application and make a recommendation to the ROW Board.

• Recognition: At project completion, Grantee organization will formally recognize ROW’s financial contribution in a mutually agreed upon, predetermined, manner. Grantees are expected to acknowledge support from ROW in all publicity, exhibitions or publications regarding this grant.

• Timing: Grant applications must be submitted by Jan. 19, 2024. Grants will be reviewed by the ROW Board and approved grants will be presented to the ROW members in February. Grants will then be voted on by the ROW members in March. Applications submitted after Jan. 19 will be considered if funds are available.​​