NEW HANOVER COUNTY — The Endowment has awarded four new grants to support education and youth-serving organizations in New Hanover County.
“These investments support both academic achievement and personal growth, creating multiple pathways for young people to build skills, explore their interests, and prepare for future success,” David Stegall, Director of Education and Community Development, said in a press release. “By expanding access to these opportunities, we aim to help young people develop confidence, experience a sense of belonging, and achieve long-term success.”
The Endowment is granting $896,000 to the Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington to supports efforts to “improve academic achievement, expand pathways to postsecondary success, and promote economic mobility for young women in grades 6–12.”
Funding is geared toward strengthening intervention and instructional support, improving transportation access, and expanding opportunities for leadership development and career exploration. It will also enhance programs such as GLOW Works, Cool Women, Hot Jobs, and the Senior Retreat, which provide leadership training, college and career planning, and opportunities for goal setting and future success.
The Endowment is also providing $70,000 to Brooklyn Arts Music Academy, which uses music-based learning to close opportunity gaps, strengthen early childhood development, and build the cognitive, emotional, and social skills that support long-term academic success, resilience, and economic mobility.
The grant will support its Music Is Life program during the 2026–2027 school year, helping children develop the cognitive, emotional, and social skills that support resilience and growth. In partnership with New Hanover County Schools, the program serves students at Dorothy B. Johnson Pre-K, Mary W. Howe Pre-K, and through an after-school violin program at Forest Hills Elementary School.
A $45,794 grant to the North Carolina Coastal Federation will expand the organization’s summer coastal education programming in New Hanover County, increasing its reach by approximately 250 youth. Building on programs that already serve about 700 young people annually, the grant is supposed to support hands-on experiences in science and environmental stewardship through coastal education activities, transportation, and meals.
Funding will also provide an 8-week, full-time paid summer internship for a Cape Fear Community College Marine Technology student. By adding internship support, the organization will expand its capacity and serve more young people.
The Endowment is also providing $13,000 to First Tee of Greater Wilmington for its CommUNITY Camp, a no-cost summer program serving approximately 40 youth ages 12 to 18. The program combines golf instruction, mentorship, social-emotional learning, and nutritious meals, while extending First Tee’s mentorship-based model to help participants build confidence, resilience, and life skills.
“When children and families have access to high-quality educational and enrichment opportunities, we help lay the foundation for long-term success across New Hanover County,” Sophie Dagenais, President and CEO of The Endowment, said in a press release. “Together, these investments reflect a unified strategy: pairing long-term improvements to the quality of school environments with near-term support for the programs, services, and opportunities that help students thrive. The new grants advance a coordinated approach to improving academic achievement, preparing young people for careers, and expanding access to positive youth development opportunities this summer and throughout the year, ensuring that as learning spaces are strengthened over time, students are supported every step of the way.”
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