NEW HANOVER COUNTY — The New Hanover Community Endowment is awarding $2.8 million in new grants augmenting youth safety and summer opportunities, expanding access to health care and food, and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
“Our investments are designed to meet young people and families where they are, and support our vibrant community of entrepreneurs and innovation,” President and CEO Sophie Dagenais said in a press release. “We aim to strengthen access to quality programs, health care, nutritious food, and pathways to opportunity. Together, these efforts help build a community that is more connected, resilient, and positioned for long-term success.”
The grants are as follows:
ACCESS of Wilmington: $15,985 to fund a summer camp that provides a full-day youth development program designed to keep young people engaged, supported, and inspired while school is out.
Blue Ribbon Commission on the Prevention of Youth Violence (DBA Voyage): $323,120 to provide paid and supportive summer youth employment programming and supportive services for at-risk youth to reduce violence and help youth move toward high school graduation and beyond
Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern North Carolina: $400,000 to fund a summer camp that provides a full-day youth development program designed to keep young people engaged, supported, and inspired while school is out
Cape Fear HealthNet, Inc.: $125,000 to meet the health care needs of uninsured adults in NHC
North Carolina IDEA Foundation: $100,000 to serve as a host partner for the 2026 NC IDEA Ecosystem Summit, bringing statewide exposure to New Hanover County as a major entrepreneurship ecosystem and providing easy access to professional development and resources for the local ecosystem
New Hanover County Administration: $1,244,215 to fund a two-year grocery delivery program serving all 8 food deserts in New Hanover County
StepUp Wilmington: $126,000 to engage New Hanover County youth in structured career pathways and paid internships.
Tides, Inc.: $515,000 to support the region’s only perinatal recovery housing program and strengthen staff capacity, enhance data systems, achieve state and national certifications, and advance planning for a dedicated recovery housing site
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