Gigis Playhouse People with flowers

Meet the winners of the 2025 Fall Impact Partner Grant!

The award will allow the six organizations to run new programs focused on economic prosperity and environmental resilience in Raleigh over the next year.

Bold ideas and meaningful community impact! That’s what each of the six recipients of the Fall 2025 Impact Partner Grant display in a big way!

The City of Raleigh’s Office of Strategy and Innovation is pleased to provide a a $20,000 grant to each of the organizations. This will help support new programs focused on environmental resilience and economic prosperity. 

Our new grantees have refurbished more than 67,000 computers across North Carolina; convened meaningful events and changed mindsets; provided hope through educational, therapeutic, and career development programs; promoted sustainable, healthy communities, and much more. Heather McDougall, Strategy & Innovation Officer for the City of Raleigh notes, “The Impact Partner Grant cultivates organizations with compelling and collaborative ideas for fostering entrepreneurship and environmental stewardship in Raleigh. We're excited to see these innovative projects come to life.”

While the Impact Partner Grant has been lifting up local innovators since 2018, this year’s iteration is charting an exciting new course with a focus on projects that promote environmental resilience and community-based solutions to shape a future-ready, economically prosperous Raleigh.

2025 Impact Partner Grant Winners!

Kramden Institute is a 501-c-3 non-profit based in Durham whose mission is advancing access to devices, connectivity, and technology education.


The North Carolina Sustainable Business Council (NCSBC) connects, empowers, and influences business leaders to build a vibrant economy that sustains local communities, protects natural resources, and benefits all North Carolinians.


WakeUP Wake County promotes sustainable, healthy communities through education, civic engagement, and advocacy.


Raleigh-Durham Startup Week inspires, connects, and celebrates regional founders and their teams by fostering an inclusive, collaborative ecosystem where individuals and organizations lead, partner, and support entrepreneurial growth.


Gigi’s Playhouse makes a lifetime commitment to changing lives and providing hope through the consistent delivery of free educational, therapeutic, and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community, using a replicable playhouse model.


Seasons Village partners with single mothers and their children to foster a strong foundation for intergenerational prosperity.


About the City of Raleigh Office of Strategy and Innovation

The Office of Strategy and Innovation leads citywide strategy and drives resident-centered innovation by thinking boldly, working collaboratively, and empowering employees and community members to tackle the City of Raleigh’s biggest challenges.  By leveraging data, design, technology, and partnerships, the Office leads transformative projects like Raleigh Impact Lab, Smart City initiatives, and the Impact Partner Grant.

Contacts: For more information, please contact Gabriela Scarritt at gabriela.scarritt@raleighnc.gov

Lead Department:
Strategy and Innovation

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