While North Carolina consistently ranks nationally as a top state for business, not all areas of the state share equally in our success. The NCEDA Foundation was created to help underserved, rural, and distressed counties and the economic developers who represent them.
Through educational programs for community leaders, university partnerships, and funded fellowships for students, the NCEDA Foundation builds wiser decision making and new advocates for growth in North Carolina's underserved and distressed areas.
The NCEDA Foundation matches graduate students and economic development organizations each summer for a fully funded fellowship. Students gain real world experience while organizations get extra help to reach their goals.
Twice each year, the Foundation awards scholarships to economic developers working in rural and underserved areas. See if you’re eligible, find key dates, and search our directory of scholarships.
Because high quality information promotes smart growth, the Foundation funds reports about state and local policy that measure the impact of tax strategies, policy changes, and more.
