Shallotte, NC – FOCUS Broadband has announced the recipients of its 2025 Community Connections grants, awarding a total of $40,000 to 19 nonprofit organizations across Brunswick, Columbus, Robeson, Duplin, and Pender counties. This annual grant program is designed to fund initiatives that enhance the lives of residents in FOCUS Broadband’s service territory and aims to include a variety of programs, such as the arts, education, and health and wellness. Since the program’s inception in 2006, FOCUS Broadband has contributed $1.125 million to community initiatives. This year, FOCUS Broadband received 52 community grant applications requesting over $112,000 to support meaningful causes benefiting residents across several counties.

Janice Gore, FOCUS Broadband’s Board Liaison for the 2025 Grant Committee, expressed her enthusiasm for the program by stating, “Being part of this initiative is truly rewarding. It’s inspiring to see how these grants empower local organizations to make a meaningful difference in our communities. I’m proud that FOCUS Broadband continues to support programs that positively impact so many lives.”

This year’s FOCUS Broadband Community Connections grant recipients include:

• 86 Hunger Now, Inc.: Grant funds will help 86 Hunger Now equip a mobile soup kitchen for Brunswick, Pender, and New Hanover counties.
• Brunswick Literacy Council: The Click and Thrive with Digital Literacy program provides low-income adults with essential digital skills for employment, financial management, and healthcare access.
• Brunswick Search and Rescue (BSAR): Utilizing grant funds, the BSAR team will receive training to become certified NC Land Search Field members, as well as training for K9 search, man trailing and tracking, aerial and underwater operations, and clue awareness.
• Brunswick Town Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution: A Patriot Marker will be placed near the Charters of Freedom, honoring local patriots who played a vital role in the American Revolution.
• The Carousel Center: Funds will go toward the Healing Hearts Program, which provides therapy for children of Brunswick County who have been victims of physical or sexual abuse.
• The Concerned Citizens of Lake Waccamaw: The grant will help fund the St. James Waccamaw Siouan Festival, which encourages community growth, education, and unity.
• Columbus Community Band: With the grant, the community band will be able to purchase new music to provide a high-quality musical experience for both participants and the local community.
• Columbus County Beekeepers Association: As part of ongoing field experience for beekeepers in training, the association will build a community apiary using grant funds.
• Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association: Utilizing grant funds, the association will provide ADA-compliant handicap ramps for fellow Brunswick and Columbus counties veterans.
• Duplin County Partnership for Children: The grant funds will help the organization stock its Diaper Pantry, which will benefit over 100 families in Duplin County.
• North Carolina Mock Trial Program: The organization plans to promote civic education and participation among youth by training local teachers and attorneys in Brunswick, Robeson, and Columbus counties on how to coach a mock trial team.
• Reuben Brown House Preservation Society: The society plans to purchase historic landmark plaques for Columbus County’s historic depots.
• Samara's Village: Samara’s Village plans to introduce young mothers to real-life scenarios and workplace experiences with a virtual reality (VR) curriculum, preparing them for future life choices.
• Southport Oak Island Interchurch Fellowship: As part of a back-to-school readiness program, funds will be used to provide children with medical, dental, vision, and hearing exams, as well as supplies.
• Science is Elementary: The grant will support Science is Elementary’s volunteer-based program at Virginia Williamson Elementary by supplementing the science curriculum with interactive experiments and critical thinking activities.  
• Saint Peter's Lutheran Church: The Giving Garden supplies nutritious, garden-grown food to Boiling Springs Food Pantry.
• Suds of Love Truck: Funds will support the purchase and distribution of essential hygiene items for individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Welcome Home Angel: Welcome Home Angel transforms homes into safe, accessible environments for children with disabilities.
• WAVES 4 K.I.D.S: Grant funds will stock a “Kloset” with items that social workers from Child Protective Services can use in emergency situations.

FOCUS Broadband will announce its Smart Connections grant recipients in the fall. Community Connections grants are open to all nonprofit organizations in FOCUS Broadband’s service territory. For more information about FOCUS Broadband’s community and education grant programs, call 910-755-1885 or visit www.focusbroadband.com/givingback.