The Outer Banks Community Foundation and The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau hosted the 3rd Annual Nonprofit Mission Mixer on Thursday, April 3 at the Outer Banks Brewing Station in Kill Devil Hills. The free event was an opportunity for more than 75 local nonprofit professionals and board members to network with others who are making a difference in the community.
“We are fortunate to have such a vibrant nonprofit sector on the Outer Banks, driven by amazing people who lead and serve to make a significant impact,” noted Chris Sawin, Outer Banks Community Foundation President and CEO. “To have so many of these changemakers with us at the event to represent their organizations and to connect with their peers was rewarding to see.”
The Mission Mixer also featured remarks from four local Outer Banks storytellers – Shea LaFountaine (History Fix), Rev. Dr. Michelle Lewis (Finding Hope in the Climate Crisis) and Chef Wes Stepp and Celeste Rafferty (Outer Banks Raw) – who shared their journeys into podcasting, how they’re creating meaningful impact through that work and the importance of using this platform to educate, inform and build community.
“Just looking around at the event and watching the interaction that was taking place is a great reminder of the power of community collaboration and connectedness,” added Lee Nettles, Outer Banks Visitors Bureau Executive Director. “Big thanks to our guest speakers for sharing their inspiring stories and to the Outer Banks Brewing Station for hosting us again this year.”
Nonprofit organizations represented at the Mission Mixer included Albemarle Area United Way, Beach Food Pantry, Chicamacomico Historical Association, Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County, Coastal Humane Society, Coastal NC Paddle Trail Association, Community Care Clinic of Dare, Community for Kids, Cross Roads OBX, Dare Arts, Dare County Special Olympics, Dare Education Foundation, Democracy NC, First Flight Rotary, Friends of Elizabeth II, Friends of Jockey’s Ridge State Park, GEM Adult Day Services, Inc., Hatteras Island Community Strings, Hatteras Island Youth Education Fund, Interfaith Community Outreach, Kitty Hawk Rotary, NAMI Outer Banks NC, NC Oyster Trail, Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (N.E.S.T.), North Carolina Aquarium Society, North Carolina Coastal Federation, North Carolina State University, Our Epic Project, Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce, Outer Banks Environmental Film Festival, Outer Banks Health, Outer Banks Relief Foundation, Outer Banks SPCA, Outer Banks Woman’s Club, Peace Garden Project, Pea Island Preservation Society, Inc., Secotan Alliance, Surfing for Autism, Surfrider Foundation Outer Banks, THE OBX WAY and Willy’s Family Surf Club.
As the Outer Banks moves closer towards the summer season, the Community Foundation and the Visitors Bureau will continue to work together to educate residents and visitors on the importance of local nonprofits and how to best connect with them. Both organizations offer grant opportunities to nonprofits throughout the year.
The Outer Banks Community Foundation awards Community Enrichment Grants twice a year to qualifying nonprofit organizations to help meet local needs and enrich the quality of life for people on the Outer Banks.
The 2025 grant cycle features an exciting new addition – Focus Grants – a funding opportunity of up to $50,000 for innovative, large-scale projects aimed at addressing some of the most pressing challenges in the Outer Banks. These grants prioritize projects that expand healthcare access, provide affordable housing solutions and support childcare initiatives. The Focus Grant application deadline is Friday, April 25, 2025. For more information on these grants, visit https://obcf.org/grants/
The Dare County Tourism Board sponsors several grant opportunities each year to help fund and support various Outer Banks projects and events organized by nonprofits and government entities. Event Grants are designed to support events that drive overnight visitation to Dare County during less-than-peak months (September 7 to June 15).
In addition, the Tourism Board offers other funding opportunities through its Restricted Fund Grants, including Tourism Impact Grants and Long-Term Unappropriated Grants, supporting programs or services needed due to the impact of tourism. For guidelines, applications and a list of past Dare County Tourism Board grant awards, please visit https://www.outerbanks.org/grants/.
Planning is already underway for the 3rd Annual Nonprofit Knowledge Series Workshop in the fall of 2025. This session is designed to bring together nonprofit professionals and board members in a collaborative setting, with a strategic focus on education and training. More details on the 2025 Knowledge Series will be announced soon.
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