You don't have to do this alone. The organizations below provide free or low-cost technical assistance to small towns and counties in North Carolina — from scoping your eligibility to drafting a competitive application.
RCAP is the nation's largest rural technical assistance network, with over 350 technical assistance providers across all 50 states. In North Carolina, RCAP's southeastern regional partner is SERCAP (Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project) — a Roanoke, VA-based nonprofit with a dedicated NC team based in Broadway, NC serving the entire state. SERCAP provides direct, on-the-ground assistance to small towns on water and wastewater funding — from pre-application scoping to agency introductions to application drafting. Their staff have deep relationships with USDA Rural Development and know these programs inside and out. Best for: water & sewer projects, USDA program navigation, community capacity building.
North Carolina's 17 regional Councils of Government are your closest and most accessible free resource. COG planners work daily with town managers and county officials on grant applications, strategic plans, and federal program navigation. Many COGs have dedicated grant staff who can review your application, help with federal registration (SAM.gov, Grants.gov), and sometimes co-apply as a regional partner. This is often the fastest path to free, local expertise.
The UNC EFC specializes in helping North Carolina's small and rural local governments navigate water, wastewater, and stormwater financing — including State Revolving Fund loans, USDA Water & Waste grants, and EPA-funded programs. They offer direct technical assistance, financial planning tools, and training programs. If your town is facing a water or sewer infrastructure challenge, the EFC is one of the best free resources in the state.
NC Commerce's Rural Engagement & Investment program offers free grant resources and technical assistance to local governments in rural NC — including pre-application consultations, community strategic planning, and direct assistance navigating state and federal grant programs. The NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center, housed within Commerce, developed strategic plans for 29 rural communities in 2025 alone. Best starting point for NC-specific programs: CDBG, RIA, building reuse, and downtown revitalization.
The NC Rural Center is the state's leading private nonprofit focused on rural economic development. While their primary work is in economic development strategy and lending, the Rural Center convenes stakeholders, publishes research on rural funding landscapes, and hosts the annual Rural Summit — a key gathering for town officials, grant writers, and state agency staff. A valuable network and intelligence resource for rural community leaders navigating the funding landscape.