The New Hanover Community Endowment announced Thursday it is awarding more than $6.1 million in grants to 10 causes in New Hanover County.
The largest grant, nearly $2 million, will support the YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina, the YWCA of the Lower Cape Fear and the NSEA Swim Foundation’s collaborative expansion of their 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 more than 2,000 second-graders receive essential water safety and swim skills," according to a news release.
Dan Winslow, president and CEO of the endowment, stated in the release, "At the endowment, our goal is to be more than just a funder – we aim to be a catalyst for change."
The other grants went to:
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," the release stated.
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."
St. Mary’s Health Center - $695,000: "Funding will be used for the acquisition of a building on South 16th Street that will serve as the permanent home for the Saint Mary’s Health Center and ensure access to emergency oral health services and health care services for uninsured and underinsured residents of New Hanover County."
Living Hope ILM with United Way of Cape Fear - $200,000: "Funding will expand the Living Hope ILM daycare 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 to achieve stability."
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."
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."
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."
“By supporting initiatives that address food insecurity, drive entrepreneurship, and improve access to affordable housing in New Hanover County, we are investing in the future of our community and creating the foundation for lasting positive impact,” stated Shannon Winslow (not related to Dan Winslow), incoming board chair, in the release.
According to the release, Thursday's announcement marks the final grant award of the 2024 season.
