WILMINGTON — The Endowment has announced three grants to support New Hanover County nonprofits, the first tranche of money doled out since its top leader announced earlier this month he was stepping down.
Interim CEO Sophie Dagenais — who was appointed to take over from Dan Winslow after his exit — said the funds fulfill The Endowment’s mission to invest in the community with the goal to strengthen it and provide sustained support.
“Each grant represents a strategic effort to not only meet immediate needs, but to strengthen the systems and relationships that promote lasting change,” Dagenais wrote in a release.
The $1.2-million awarded on Thursday will be put toward helping New Hanover County teachers in the classroom, expanding services for survivors of sexual abuse, and building nonprofit capacity.
All grants are contingent upon The Endowment’s receipt of a signed grant agreement and Plan of Accountability from each grantee organization.
Communities in Schools of the Cape Fear: $900,000
The largest amount, $900,000, will go to Communities In Schools of Cape Fear in order to launch a three-year pilot initiative to support educators. CIS supports vulnerable students and schools facing the greatest drop-out rates. They have Student Support Specialists to help with tutoring, attendance correction, mentoring, afterschool programs, as well as provides free school supplies and more to families annually.
The money from The Endowment will provide additional classroom resources to 10 New Hanover County schools, which works with limited support, such as the absence of traditional school-based parent organizations. With the funds, applicable teachers will be able to access materials and support activities that district funding doesn’t cover.
David Stegall, The Endowment’s head of the education pillar, said in a release: “The educational opportunities made possible through this funding will be vital in creating and maintaining high-quality education in New Hanover County.”
Cape Fear Collective: $191,000
A $191,000 grant will go to Cape Fear Collective, which harnesses data to help create better communities.
With the money, the nonprofit is designing a capacity-building pilot, “designed to strengthen data systems, impact measurement, and strategic storytelling among New Hanover County organizations,” according to The Endowment.
The collective will provide five local nonprofits support, including a data readiness assessment and hands-on technical assistance, to enhance internal systems and more effectively communicate outcomes to funders, partners, and clients and constituents.
The grant will further help The Endowment develop broader data collection that can help track progress against its strategic goals.
Keep Your Hands Off Me, Inc.: $95,000
With the goal to create safe spaces for victims of sexual abuse, Keep Your Hands Off Me will receive $95,000 for its day-to-day operations.
Keep Your Hands Off Me offers trauma-informed services, advocacy and resources to individuals and families impacted by abuse, according to The Endowment.
[Ed. note: The piece was updated to correct David Stegall’s title as The Endowment’s head of the education pillar; PCD regrets the error.]
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