Keep North Carolina Beautiful

WOO Grants

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For more than 50 years, Keep North Carolina Beautiful's Window of Opportunity (WOO) Grant Program has empowered students to improve their schools and communities through hands-on environmental learning experiences.

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Open to K–12 educational institutions and eligible 501(c)(3) organizations that provide youth-focused educational programming, WOO Grants support student-centered projects that promote environmental stewardship, sustainability, beautification, recycling, conservation, and outdoor learning throughout North Carolina.

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Over the past five decades, WOO Grants have supported projects in all 100 North Carolina counties. Keep North Carolina Beautiful's long-term goal is to award grants in all 100 counties within a single grant cycle, ensuring that students across the state have access to meaningful environmental learning opportunities.

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WOO Grants Matter

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Outdoor learning environments help students develop environmental awareness, critical thinking, leadership skills, teamwork, and a stronger connection to their communities. Through hands-on learning experiences, students gain practical knowledge that extends beyond the classroom while fostering a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship.

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Through the WOO Grant Program, students become active participants in improving their schools and communities. Grant-funded projects empower young people to plan, build, create, and maintain meaningful projects while developing valuable life skills and making lasting, positive impacts on their campuses and beyond.

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Statewide Impact

For more than half a century, WOO Grants have provided funding and support for student-led environmental learning projects across North Carolina.

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Program highlights include:

• Projects funded in all 100 North Carolina counties

• Thousands of students engaged in hands-on environmental learning

• Hundreds of outdoor learning environments created or enhanced

• Decades of investment in environmental education, sustainability, and community beautification

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What Types of Projects Are Funded?

WOO Grants support projects that actively engage students in the planning, development, implementation, and long-term stewardship of outdoor learning environments and sustainability initiatives.

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Successful projects provide students with opportunities to:

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• Participate in the project planning and design

• Develop project budgets

• Collaborate as a team

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Examples of eligible projects include:

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• Native tree plantings

• Pollinator gardens

• Vegetable gardens

• Sensory gardens

• Recycling initiatives

• Wildlife habitat projects

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What Makes a Strong Application?

The most competitive applications typically:

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✓ Place students at the center of the project

✓ Include clearly defined educational goals and learning outcomes

✓ Present a realistic budget and achievable timeline

✓ Encourage collaboration among students, educators, volunteers, and community partners

✓ Demonstrate meaningful student participation in planning, implementation, and stewardship

✓ Create positive environmental and community impacts​

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What Does the Funding Cover?

WOO Grants are intended to support materials and supplies that are essential to project implementation and student learning.

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Funding may be used for:

• Plants, trees, seeds, and soil

• Garden and landscaping materials

• Recycling program supplies

• Composting materials

• Educational materials

• Materials for Student-built project components

• Other approved project materials

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​Because the WOO Grant Program emphasizes hands-on student learning, funding is prioritized for projects in which students actively participate in planning, building, implementing, and maintaining the project rather than simply purchasing completed products or structures.

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Grant Funding Levels

Most Window of Opportunity (WOO) Grants are awarded at $1,000.

A limited number of exceptional projects may be considered for funding of up to $2,500.

As funding requests increase, applications are evaluated more competitively and must demonstrate strong educational impact, meaningful student involvement, project sustainability, and measurable outcomes.

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Eligibility

WOO Grants are available to:

• K–12 public schools

• K–12 private schools

• Charter schools

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All projects must provide educational opportunities that positively impact students' understanding of environmental stewardship, sustainability, conservation, recycling, beautification, or outdoor learning

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Ready to Apply?

Applicants must complete the WOO Grant application and submit:

• A project description and scope of work

• Anticipated student learning outcomes

• A line-item budget

• A project timeline

• A completed Letter of Commitment signed by the organization's principal, director, or authorized leader

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Organizations receiving a WOO Grant are required to submit a final expense summary report upon project completion, including an itemized accounting of grant expenditures. In addition, photographs documenting the project before implementation, during construction or installation, and upon completion must be provided to Keep North Carolina Beautiful.

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For additional information regarding application requirements, funding guidelines, and project eligibility, please visit the WOO Grant application page.

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