Press Releases

March 9, 2010
NC Beautiful Announces Recipients of The Duke Energy Foundation Windows of Opportunity Grants
Grants will subsidize sixteen state-wide educational programs that promote environmental stewardship, awareness, and appreciation

RALEIGH, NC - March 9, 2010 - NC Beautiful has announced the winners of the 2010 Windows of Opportunity (WOO) Grants from The Duke Energy Foundation. Sixteen schools were awarded WOO Grants, representing a total of over $15,000 in educational grants. WOO Grants were created to cultivate an appreciation of natural environments by helping K-12 children get out of school and into natural settings. The grants also build leadership awareness, develop environmental educational mentors and ambassadors, create materials and resources that can be used by other students, and develop a sustainable outdoor program.

January 21, 2010
NC Beautiful Announces Recipients of 2010 Windows of Opportunity Grants
Twelve North Carolina schools selected to receive educational funds to promote environmental stewardship in the classroom

RALEIGH, NC - January 21, 2010 - NC Beautiful, a provider of environmental education and beautification opportunities that elevate the quality of life of North Carolinians, has announced this year's recipients of the organization's environmental education grants. Twelve schools were awarded Windows of Opportunity Grants, representing a total of over $11,000 in educational grants. The grants are available to certified, full-time K-12 teachers in the state of North Carolina.

December 7, 2009
NC Beautiful Receives $40,000 Environmental Education Grant from The Duke Energy Foundation
Grant is one of the largest received to date by North Carolina preservation and beautification non-profit

RALEIGH, NC - December 7, 2009 - NC Beautiful has announced that the organization has received a $40,000 Windows of Opportunity Grant from The Duke Energy Foundation. Windows of Opportunity Grants were created to cultivate an appreciation of natural environments by helping K-12 children get out of school and into natural settings. The grants also build leadership awareness, develop environmental educational mentors and ambassadors, create materials and resources that can be used by other students, and develop a sustainable outdoor program.

November 10, 2009
Town & Country Garden Club Contributes Windows of Opportunity Grants to NC Beautiful
Local club supports environmental beautification and enhancement through donation of two $1,000 grants to Durham County educators

RALEIGH, NC - November 10, 2009 - NC Beautiful, a provider of environmental education and beautification opportunities that elevate the quality of life of North Carolinians, has announced the contribution of two $1,000 Windows of Opportunity Grants to Durham County educators by Town & Country Garden Club. Windows of Opportunity Grants reward NC educators for their creativity in fostering environmental stewardship, leadership, and awareness and initiating a sense of community service.

November 5, 2009
NC Beautiful Board Member Lena Gallitano Contributes Windows of Opportunity Grant to Gates County
Educational grants allow educators to build leadership and nurture environmental awareness amongst students

RALEIGH, NC - November 5, 2009 - NC Beautiful, a provider of environmental education and beautification opportunities that elevate the quality of life of North Carolinians, is accepting applications from K-12 teachers in Gates County, North Carolina for a $1,000 Windows of Opportunity (WOO) Grant contributed by organization board member Lena Gallitano. Windows of Opportunity Grants reward NC educators for their creativity in fostering environmental stewardship, leadership, and awareness and initiating a sense of community service.

September 28, 2009
NC Beautiful Announces Availability of State-Wide 2010 Windows of Opportunity Grants
Environmental non-profit now accepting applications from North Carolina K-12 teachers for educational grants

RALEIGH, NC - September 28, 2009 - NC Beautiful, a provider of environmental education and beautification opportunities that elevate the quality of life of North Carolinians, has announced that it has begun accepting applications for its 2010 Windows of Opportunity Grants. The $1,000 grants are available to certified, full-time K-12 teachers in the state of North Carolina.

March 28, 2009
NC Beautiful Announces Yadkin PeeDee River Basin Grant Recipients
Water conservation grants will help educate 5th - 8th graders in areas hardest hit by NC drought

RALEIGH, NC - March 26, 2009 - NC Beautiful has announced the recipients of its Yadkin PeeDee River Basin Grants sponsored by Philip Morris USA and totaling $40,000. Grants were awarded to Nichole Wunderle of Mount Airy Middle School, Mount Airy (Surry County); Anita Fessler of Woodleaf Elementary School in Woodleaf (Rowan County); Lori Robinette of Shiloh Elementary School in Monroe (Union County); Sara Fuller of Archdale-Trinity Middle School in Archdale (Randolph County); and Barbara Beane of Farmer Elementary School in Asheboro (Randolph County). NC Beautiful Executive Director, Steve Vacendak, presented the Grants to the schools through separate check presentation ceremonies and was joined by Beth Earnst, NC Beautiful Treasurer and Director of Communications & Public Affairs, NAFTA Region, Ciba Corporation and Robin Nicholson, NC Beautiful Board of Director and Director & Manager of Sports Venues for Duke Energy.

January 6, 2009
NC Beautiful Announces Recipients of 2008 Windows of Opportunity Grants
Nineteen North Carolina schools each receive $1,000 to promote environmental stewardship in the classroom

RALEIGH, NC - January 6, 2009 - NC Beautiful, a provider of environmental education and beautification opportunities that elevate the quality of life of North Carolinians, has announced this year's recipients of the organization's environmental education grants. The grants are available to certified, full-time K-12 teachers in the state of North Carolina.

September 15, 2008
NC Beautiful Announces Yadkin PeeDee River Basin Grants
Water conservation grants will help educate state's youngest citizens in areas hardest hit by NC drought

RALEIGH, NC - September 15, 2008 - NC Beautiful has announced that it is now accepting applications for its Yadkin PeeDee River Basin Grants. The grants, sponsored by Philip Morris USA, are available to 5th grade teachers in the Yadkin PeeDee River Basin. Individual grants of $1500 will be awarded between January 2009 and June 2009 and will be used to develop water conversation programs targeting the 22 counties hardest hit by North Carolina's recent drought.

September 5, 2008
NC Beautiful Announces Dates for 24th NC Beautiful Golf Classic
Annual event started in 1985 is non-profit's primary fundraiser

RALEIGH, NC - September 5, 2008 - NC Beautiful has announced the dates for its annual golf event. The 24th NC Beautiful Golf Classic will be held July 24-26, 2009 at Pinehurst Resort, one of the world's finest golf resorts located among the Sandhills of North Carolina. Attendees will be playing the resort's No. 1 and 4 courses. Duke Energy, a leading energy company focused on electric power and gas distribution operations and other energy services in the Americas, will serve as the event's Grand Sponsor.

August 27, 2008
NC Beautiful Accepting Applications for 2009 Windows of Opportunity Grants
Educational grants promote environmental stewardship in North Carolina K-12 schools

RALEIGH, NC - August 27, 2008 - NC Beautiful, a provider of environmental education and beautification opportunities that elevate the quality of life of North Carolinians, has announced that it will begin accepting applications for its 2009 Windows of Opportunity Grants on September 1. The grants are available to certified, full-time K-12 teachers in the state of North Carolina.

July 18, 2008
NC Beautiful Golf Classic Attracts Sponsors from Across the State for Environmental Education

RALEIGH, NC - July 14, 2008 - NC Beautiful, a provider of environmental education and beautification opportunities that elevate the quality of life of North Carolinians, recently held its 23rd Annual NC Beautiful Classic at Pinehurst Resort. The golf event was held from June 6-8 and is the non-profit's primary fundraising event.

June 18, 2008
Buckland Elementary School's Butterfly Garden Takes Flight through Windows of Opportunity Grant
North Carolina school's project thrives with 2007 grant from NC Beautiful

AHOSKIE, NC - June 17, 2008 - Despite record drought and limited funds, the first graders at Gates County's Buckland Elementary School are still able to enjoy life and color in their newly established butterfly garden. Under the guidance of their teacher, Susan Parker, and with the help of NC Beautiful's Windows of Opportunity Grant, the garden is thriving and serves as a valuable learning tool for its young stewards.

June 11, 2008
NC Beautiful Now Accepting Applications for 2008 Annual Azalea Celebration
Event started in 1985 has given away close to 200,000 plants to over 2,500 North Carolina non-profits

RALEIGH, NC - June 10, 2008 - NC Beautiful has announced that it is now accepting applications for the 2008 Annual Azalea Celebration. The event, co-sponsored by WRAL-TV 5 and MIX 101.5 WRAL-FM, is in its 23rd year and supports non-profits throughout the state of North Carolina that wish to beautify their grounds by establishing well maintained and continuous landscaping projects.

April 22, 2008
NC Beautiful Receives Water Conservation Grant from Philip Morris USA
Funds will help educate state's youngest citizens in areas hardest hit by drought

NC Beautiful has announced that the organization has received a $40,000 Grant from Philip Morris USA (PM USA). The grant will be used to develop a water conservation program directed at 5th grade students in the Yadkin Pee-Dee River watershed. The program will empower teachers, through merit-based grants of $2,000 each, to allow students to experience scientific discoveries while instilling in them a sense of commitment to the environment and the community. NC Beautiful will target the 21 counties hardest hit by North Carolina's recent drought and that make up some of the largest water consuming communities in the Piedmont.