The NHC Endowment awards $6.1M in grants

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The New Hanover Community Endowment is awarding more than $6.1 million in grants. These ten investments aim to tackle critical needs in New Hanover County, including expanding access to affordable housing, enhancing childcare and afterschool programs, and ensuring families have access to nutritious food options.

The largest grant supports the expansion of the Schools in Pools program, a collaboration between the NSEA Swim Foundation, the YWCA of the Lower Cape Fear, and the YMCA of Southeastern NC to offer life-saving swim lessons to every second grader in New Hanover County. The program aims to provide essential water-safety and swim skills to more than 2,000 second graders by 2026.

The Endowment is also investing in NourishNC and the expansion of Market on Market, a full-service grocery store where children in pre-K through 12th grade and families experiencing food insecurity can access healthy food options when they need them. Similarly, Feast Down East funding will improve access to locally grown foods from farming communities in and around southeastern North Carolina and the Mobile Market to persons in need in New Hanover County.

“At the Endowment, our goal is to be more than just a funder—we aim to be a catalyst for change,” said Dan Winslow, president and CEO. “We are excited to work together with this group of grant partners on innovative solutions that will have a measurable impact on New Hanover County.”

“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,” said Shannon Winslow, incoming board chair.