Impact Partner Grant: Fall 2025 Winners

Kramden Institute is a 501-c-3 non-profit based in Durham whose mission is advancing access to devices, connectivity, and technology education. Kramden programs concentrate on serving low-income students and adults, most of whom do not own a computer and, in many cases, have never learned how to use one. Established in 2003, Kramden has refurbished and awarded more than 67,000 computers to disadvantaged students and families across North Carolina, and kept more than 3 million pounds of e-waste out of landfills.  With the Impact Partner Grant, Kramden will organize quarterly drive-through and drop off e- waste events within the City of Raleigh expanding their capacity to distribute devices to K-12 students, low-income adults, and other vulnerable populations in Raleigh. Learn more at kramden.org.

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. NCSBC envisions a statewide business environment where companies of all sizes embrace triple-bottom-line practices: measuring success by their positive impact on people, planet, and profits. With the Impact Partner Grant, the NCSBC will launch the Raleigh Sustainability Connector, linking small businesses to expert consulting, technical resources, and peer learning opportunities on environmental performance. The goal is to make sustainability consulting and implementation support accessible to every Raleigh business, regardless of size or industry. Learn more at ncsbcouncil.org

WakeUP Wake County promotes sustainable, healthy communities through education, civic engagement, and advocacy. With the Impact Partner Grant, WakeUp Wake County will create the Raleigh ADU Accelerator, a pilot initiative that advances environmental resilience and economic opportunity through sustainable Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) development. The project will test new tools and outreach strategies that help residents, small builders, and designers participate in Raleigh’s growing ADU market while highlighting ADUs as a critical component of a more sustainable housing future. Learn more at wakeupwakecounty.org.

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. With the Impact Partner Grant, Raleigh-Durham Startup Week (RDSW) and the Carolina Climate will jointly pilot a two-part program to make Raleigh a leading hub of climate entrepreneurship. They will host “Climate Tech Day” during RDSW in April 2026 and piloting a new “Climate Tech Week” in the fall. Co-led by Carolina Climate and RDSW, the events will bring together founders, investors, researchers, and civic leaders to showcase emerging climate technologies, share best practices, and strengthen Raleigh’s position as the epicenter of sustainable innovation in the Southeast. Learn more at Learn more at raleighdurhamstartupweek.com.

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. With the Impact Partner Grant, Gigi’s Playhouse will launch the program “Gigi’s Blooms” in the Raleigh Area to help individuals with Down syndrome to build microenterprises that transform discarded materials into products of value. The goal of the program is to create meaningful economic pathways for adults with Down syndrome and to advance environmental resilience through waste reduction and upcycling.  Learn more at gigisplayhouse.org/raleigh