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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.
In 2025, our Chapter is dedicated to supporting women in Western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene. One of the ways we are doing this is by awarding one-time grants to qualified women applicants who reside in one of the North Carolina counties listed below and are starting or advancing a business or career in the food, beverage, agriculture, or hospitality sector.
2025 APPLICATION DETAILS
Eligibility
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Applicants must be a female of at least 18 years of age, a citizen of the United States of America, a resident of the state of North Carolina, and living in one of these Western North Carolina counties: 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 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 use of the grant.
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Les Dames d'Escoffier International North Carolina Chapter 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 $1000 grants will be awarded
Application Period: June 15 – July 31, 2025 (11:59 pm EDT)
Notification: August 22 – 25, 2025
Payment: by September 8, 2025
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 use of the funds.
Questions about the 2025 program may be directed to the LDEI NC Chapter Giving Committee Chair – Susan at susan@loveandcraftkitchen.com.