NEW HANOVER COUNTY — The county’s $1.6-billion endowment has announced more funding to go toward area nonprofits helping in various sectors, including food insecurity, health, education and homelessness.
READ MORE: New grant-making tiers, staff and transparency part of endowment CEO’s focus
“Ten investments aim to tackle critical needs in New Hanover County, including expanding access to affordable housing, enhancing childcare and afterschool programs, and ensuring families have access to nutritious food options,” according to a press release from the New Hanover County Endowment.
All funding falls within the endowment’s focus areas, its four pillars being: education, health and social equity, public safety, and community development.
“At the Endowment, our goal is to be more than just a funder — we aim to be a catalyst for change,” Dan Winslow, president and CEO, said in a release. “We are excited to work together with this group of grant partners on innovative solutions that will have a measurable impact on New Hanover County.”
The largest funds include $1.9 million going to YMCA, YWCA and NSEA Swim Foundation to provide essential water-safety and swim lessons to more than 2,000 second graders by 2026.
Two mobile markets also will be funded. NourishNC’s expansion of Market on Market comes with $1.1 million. The full-service grocery store allows families of children in pre-K through 12th grade who experience food insecurity access nutritious ingredients and grocery items.
As well, Feast Down East will receive $1.1 million to provide locally grown foods from farming communities in and around southeastern North Carolina and the Mobile Market to persons in need in New Hanover County.
Below are recipients and outreach planned with the grants:
Living Hope ILM with United Way of Cape Fear, $200,000
Funding will expand the Living Hope ILM day care center’s operational capacity for the unhoused population in Wilmington. Funds will expand services to be open more days and provide essential resources to ensure guests have access to the support they need toachieve stability.
Hadden Hall I, II Apartments, $180,000
Funding will replace and update the security system and an over 30-year-old elevator system for affordable, senior apartment buildings.
Genesis Block Foundation, with United Way of Cape Fear, $200,000
Funding for core operating costs to enhance support for entrepreneurs and strengthen program delivery of Genesis Block Foundation.
Communities in Schools of Cape Fear, $200,000
Funding will support the expansion of the Freedom School program to serve 100 additional students. Freedom School is a six-week, literacy-based, free summer program designed to increase reading skills through culturally relevant, high-energy, engaging programming, and appropriate books for each grade and reading level.
Blue Ribbon Commission on the Prevention of Youth Violence (DBA Voyage), $200,000
Funding will support Voyage to continue to provide and build on existing NHCS student and family case management services both at school and at community centers. Funding will support four community healthcare workers working with low-income students to focus on academic success, personal and behavioral development, and meeting basic needs.
NourishNC, $1,165,574
Funding will support NourishNC’s expansion of the Market on Market and the Mobile Market on Market over three years. This will significantly increase NourishNC’s ability to expand high-quality food access to children and families in New Hanover County.
Feast Down East, Inc., $1,128,720
Funds will nurture the food ecosystem by increasing access to nutritious foods and sustaining and growing Feast Down East and the Mobile Market over three years. They will also cover payroll and health benefit costs for staff positions.
YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina $1,973,867
Funding will support the the YMCA of Southeastern NC, the YWCA of the Lower Cape Fear, and the NSEA Swim Foundation’s collaborative expansion of the Schools in Pools program. The program offers life-saving swim lessons to New Hanover County second graders, with a goal to scale the program over three years, ensuring that by 2026 morethan 2,000 second graders receive essential water-safety and swim skills.
St. Mary’s Health Center, $695,000
Funding will be used for the acquisition of a building on South16th street which will serve as the permanent home for the Saint Mary’s Health Center and ensure access to emergency oral health services and healthcare services for uninsured and underinsured residents of New Hanover County.
SEEDS of Healing, Inc, with LINC, $140,267
Funding provides general operating support for Seeds of Healing whose mission is to deconstruct myths that perpetuate HIV stigma, to generate support for marginalized people living with or affected by HIV, and to eliminate disparities in HIV outcomes for Black women in New Hanover County. Funding will support wages, office expenses, occupancy, and program optimization.
Tips or comments? Email info@localdailymedia.com.
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our morning newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
