Published on May 22, 2026 Posted in Grantees

2025 Grantee Highlights: Programs Providing Dispute-Resolution Techniques and Alternatives

These organizations offer a range of services that lessen the burden on the court system by providing a civil solution to minor criminal matters.

In 2025, NC IOLTA’s Board of Trustees awarded $12M in grants to more than 40 organizations dedicated to providing legal aid to low-income residents across the state and improving the administration of justice in North Carolina.

The organizations highlighted here — Dispute Settlement Center, Mediation Network of North Carolina, North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission and Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham — received a total of $244,000 in Administration of Justice grants, which seek to improve the administration of justice in North Carolina through a variety of programs that have a statewide impact or provide seed funding to pilot an innovative program in a local area.

These organizations provide a range of dispute-resolution techniques and alternatives that reduce the number of cases on the docket, thereby lessening the burden on the court system. Providing a civil solution to often-minor criminal matters also allows defendants to potentially avoid a criminal record while creating stronger relationships within the community. Read more about each grantee below.

Dispute Settlement Center

Founded in 1978 as North Carolina’s first community mediation center, the Dispute Settlement Center helps individuals and groups navigate conflict, build understanding and strengthen connections through approaches including mediation, facilitation, restorative practices, education and training.

In 2025, DSC was awarded a $50,000 Administration of Justice grant to support restorative justice processes in Orange County.

DSC’s work in 2025 to provide a range of dispute-resolution techniques and alternatives resulted in:
Mediation Network of North Carolina

The Mediation Network of North Carolina offers constructive processes for conflict resolution that are designed to strengthen relationships and build connections, empowering people to resolve conflict peacefully with productive communication and mutual respect, without court involvement.

In 2025, MNNC received a $39,000 Administration of Justice grant to support mediation centers across the state and its Criminal District Court mediation services, which address misdemeanor criminal cases where the court has determined that mediation is an appropriate option.

MNNC’s work in 2025 to provide a range of dispute-resolution techniques and alternatives resulted in:
North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission

Established by statute in 1995, the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission is charged primarily with certifying and regulating private mediators who serve the courts of the state. NC DRC also recommends policy, rules and rule revisions relating to dispute resolution in North Carolina’s courts; provides support to court-based mediation programs; certifies mediation training programs; serves as a clearinghouse for information about court-based mediation programs; and assists other state agencies interested in or providing dispute-resolution services to their constituencies.

In 2025, NC DRC received a $100,000 Administration of Justice grant to support a pilot program to provide Criminal District Court mediation at no cost to participants.

NC DRC’s work in 2025 to provide a range of dispute-resolution techniques and alternatives resulted in:
Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham

The Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham brings together people of faith and goodwill to reduce community violence and support those affected by the criminal legal system, operating through vigil ministry for homicide victims, re-entry support for formerly incarcerated individuals and restorative justice initiatives.

In 2025, RCND was awarded a $55,000 Administration of Justice grant to support the Restorative Justice Durham project, an alternative process in Durham’s criminal-justice system to repair harms by engaging everyone affected in community-based practices of accountability and repair.

RCND’s work in 2025 to provide a range of dispute-resolution techniques and alternatives resulted in:

Find highlights of other 2025 NC IOLTA grantees on our Grantees page.
Explore the impact NC IOLTA grantees make for their clients and communities on our Stories page.
Learn about the importance of civil legal aid on our Media Resources page under “FAQs About Civil Legal Aid in NC.”

Legislation passed by the North Carolina General Assembly on July 9, 2025, bars NC IOLTA from grantmaking from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Consistent with the legislation, our 2026 funding cycle has not been opened.

Learn more about NC IOLTA and find our most recent updates on this issue on our Media Resources page.

The NC State Bar and NC IOLTA continue to seek a resolution to preserve funding for civil legal aid, which plays a critical role in building a legal system that works for everyone, breaking down barriers and creating strong communities across North Carolina.

2025 Grantee Highlights: Programs Providing Dispute-Resolution Techniques and Alternatives

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