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NORTH CAROLINA DAMES
Grants Program
The mission of Les Dames d’Escoffier International, North Carolina Chapter (LDEI NC) is to mentor, promote and inspire women in the food, beverage, agriculture, or hospitality industry to reach their career goals, and especially to become leaders.
The North Carolina LDEI chapter is pleased to open its second year of grant support for qualified women starting or advancing a business or career in food, beverage, agriculture, or hospitality. In 2025, LDEI NC focused on supporting women in Western North Carolina who were directly impacted by Hurricane Helene. This year the application is open to women across the state with two $2000 grants to be awarded, one of which is specifically for a Western North Carolina initiative and the other statewide.
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2026 APPLICATIONS OPEN
Deadline Extended: August 15!​​
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Eligibility Details
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2026 Applicants must be a female of at least 18 years of age, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of the state of North Carolina.
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For the Western North Carolina award, applicants must live in one of the following counties to be eligible:​ Alexander, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Forsyth, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell Jackson, Lee Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Nash, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, or Yancey​
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Applicants must be actively creating or advancing a business or career in the food, hospitality, beverage, food science, nutrition, agriculture, or event planning industries.
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Applicants must state a specific goal in relation to the grant.
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Les Dames d'Escoffier International members are not eligible to apply.
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Use of Funds
Grant funds may be used to assist with the start-up or advancement of a business or career, such as purchasing equipment or attending non-degree professional development seminars, workshops, or conferences.
Grant funds may not be used for labor costs, salary payments, rent, taxes, legal or business fees, vendors, undergraduate or graduate school tuition, business debt payment, or personal expenses.
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2025 Awards: Two $2000 grants will be awarded
NEW Application Deadline: August 15, 2026 (11:59 pm EDT)
Notification: September 5 - 11, 2026
Payment: by September 30, 2026
Applicants must complete & submit all application requirements for their application to be reviewed & considered for the LDEI NC Grant Program. Grants are awarded by a committee assessing the applicant’s business and career goals and the use of the funds.
Questions about the 2026 program may be directed to the LDEI NC Chapter Giving Committee Chair – Margaret - betaverde.nc@gmail.com
Anna Anders, Anders Family Farm
Project Mission: to promote sustainable agriculture, support a more reliable local food supply chain, and foster community collaboration among local food providers through CSAs, co-ops, and farmers' markets.
Grant Use: toward the purchase of a commercial cooler for food storage.
Diana Rhodes, Rite Buy Grocery
Project Mission: to transform Swannanoa from a food desert into a community with sustainable, accessible food options that benefit both residents and local agricultural producers by opening Rite Buy Grocery.
Grant Use: the purchase of produce refrigeration equipment.