North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has received a $1.4 million grant from the Anonymous Trust to support students from Eastern North Carolina and launch the university’s Legal Desert Fellowship Program.
The grant will open doors for aspiring legal professionals and help fill critical service gaps in rural communities in North Carolina.
“As someone who has served Eastern North Carolina for several years, I know firsthand how much this support means to the students and communities in the area,” said NCCU Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon. “Thank you to the Anonymous Trust for seeing the value in our institution and helping us to continue making a meaningful impact across the region.”
The Legal Desert Fellowship Program will provide financial support to recent NCCU School of Law graduates who commit to practicing law in rural, Tier 1 and Tier 2 Eastern North Carolina counties for at least four years. Participants will benefit from student loan forgiveness, bar exam preparation assistance and professional mentorship – all designed to build a more robust legal workforce in underserved areas.
The grant will also support Eastern North Carolina students selected for NCCU’s Aspiring Eagles Academy — a summer bridge program for incoming first-year students. Funding will cover tuition, housing, meals and technology needs, ensuring these students have the tools to begin their college journey with confidence.
"This support will not only impact our students but will bring much-needed legal support to many rural communities. We are very excited about this partnership. This is just the beginning,” said Chris Davis, assistant vice chancellor for the Division of Institutional Advancement.
The trust has also approved an annual grant challenge to support and grow both programs. If NCCU raises a specified amount, the trust will match the funds dollar for dollar.
Anonymous Trust is a private foundation committed to creating lasting change in Eastern North Carolina. Led by a bold group of collaborators, the Trust supports education, health, the arts, environment, historic preservation and community development—especially in rural and underserved communities. Since 2011, its work has focused on uplifting local talent, fostering partnerships, and investing in ideas that build hope and opportunity.
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