North Carolina Education Lottery Raises Record $1.09 Billion For Public Schools

For the second consecutive year, the North Carolina Education Lottery has raised over $1 billion in a single fiscal year, with a substantial portion of these funds earmarked for the construction and repair of public schools across the state.

The latest figures, which the NC Education Lottery (NCEL) presented last week, reveal that the lottery generated a record-breaking $1.09 billion for education in fiscal year 2024, supported by unprecedented ticket sales that soared to $5.4 billion.

Mark Michalko, executive director of the NCEL, emphasized the tangible impact of these funds on communities statewide. “New schools help to move North Carolina students forward,” Michalko said in the release. “All across our state, parents and educators are sharing stories with us about the impact of the new schools. They say the new schools and classrooms create spaces where students are excited to come to school every day.”

The FY2024 figures not only exceeded previous records but also significantly surpassed the state’s ambitious goal of raising $931 million. The additional $161 million raised highlights the growing participation in lottery games and the increasing public support for education through this channel.

Distribution of funds

The NCEL explained in its release that more than half of the $1 billion raised by the lottery last fiscal year has been allocated directly to counties for building new schools and repairing existing structures. The North Carolina General Assembly outlined in the state budget the specific allocation of these funds:

• $254 million was directed to a state fund dedicated to providing grants for school construction projects. This fund will also receive the majority of the extra $161 million raised, further enhancing its capacity to support local educational infrastructure.
• $100 million was distributed across all 100 counties in the state, with allocations determined based on each county’s size. Wake County, home to North Carolina’s largest school system, received over $11 million to aid in its ongoing school construction efforts.
• $50 million was allocated to a state repair and renovation fund, with each county benefiting from an additional $500,000 to address critical needs in existing school facilities.

These investments in school infrastructure, similar to Virginia’s lottery, are designed to address the growing demands on educational facilities as the state’s population continues to expand. By funding new school construction and critical repairs, the lottery is playing a pivotal role in ensuring that students have access to safe, modern learning environments.

Beyond school construction

While school construction and repair represent the most visible use of lottery funds, the financial benefits extend far beyond these areas. The money raised in fiscal year 2024 also supported several other key educational initiatives:

• Scholarships and grants: The lottery provided financial assistance so that students in need have greater access to college programs. The latest version of the Next NC Scholarship program, which began this year, offers recipients attending community colleges at least $3,000 and those attending state universities at least $5,000, helping to alleviate the burden of tuition and fees.
• School support and transportation: A portion of the funds was allocated to support school systems with the operational costs associated with maintaining adequate staff and transportation for students.
• NC pre-K program: The lottery also funded free, academic preschool programs for at-risk 4-year-olds, providing them with early education opportunities that are crucial for their long-term academic success.

Since its inception in 2006, the North Carolina Education Lottery has now raised more than $11 billion for education.