The Endowment invests $5.2 million in New Hanover County behavioral health, health care programs
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Endowment announced Monday it is investing more than $5.2 million across four grants aimed at strengthening behavioral health services, expanding health care access and supporting entrepreneurship in New Hanover County.
The largest grant, $4,039,073 over two years, will go to Coastal Horizons Center to launch a Tier IV Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center, according to the organization. The funding will also support one of the county’s few permanent supportive housing programs, its only rape crisis program, and the integration of the Trauma Institute into the center’s operations.
The grant builds on a $6 million appropriation from the North Carolina General Assembly that will fund land purchase and construction of a standalone facility serving adults and children, the Endowment said.
“The center will serve residents regardless of insurance status and give hospitals, first responders, law enforcement and community partners another option for connecting people with the right level of care,” said Leigh Quarles, senior network officer for social and health equity at The Endowment.
The Salvation Army’s Center of Hope will receive $226,861 over one year to fund case management services connecting people experiencing homelessness to employment, health care, substance use recovery resources and housing.
Cape Fear Clinic will receive $850,000 over one year to sustain its health care and pharmacy services, including a satellite clinic and strategic planning efforts. The grant builds on a three-year investment The Endowment made in the clinic in 2023.
The University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will receive $125,000 over one year to fund three programs supporting local entrepreneurs: the Idea Test Lab, the CIE Mentor Program and 1 Million Cups Wilmington, a weekly public program where entrepreneurs can present their businesses and receive feedback.
“These grants put The Endowment’s strategic direction into action for the residents of New Hanover County and the organizations serving them,” said Sophie Dagenais, president and CEO of The Endowment, in a statement.
The Endowment said the grants stem from a landscape assessment that identified gaps in the county’s behavioral health crisis system and services for homeless and vulnerable populations.
