The Britt Foundation develops leaders through adventure—one challenge, one connection, and one life-changing experience at a time. Their mission is twofold: to give veterans meaningful ways to continue serving after military life and to inspire young people to step outside their comfort zones, embrace new challenges, and grow through outdoor experiences.
With support from a 2025 $4,528 Community Grant from The Endowment, the Britt Foundation brought together 10 students and 6 veteran mentors from New Hanover County for a multi-day outdoor leadership and mentorship program in Brevard, North Carolina. Through guided hiking, rock climbing, and structured leadership exercises, participants were challenged physically, mentally, and emotionally.
The grant covered essential program costs, including transportation, professional guides, safe lodging, and gear for daily activities and mentorship sessions. This support allowed every participant to focus fully on the experience without financial or logistical barriers.
Students returned home with renewed confidence, stronger communication skills, and a new understanding of leadership based on trust and service. “Someone that you trust is holding you up… you just kind of have to have a little bit of faith in them,” one participant shared after a climbing session, reflecting on how the challenge taught lessons about teamwork and courage. Another added, “We started as strangers, but by the end we trusted each other completely and became a real team.”
As the group moved through each challenge, their ideas about leadership evolved. One student explained, “This trip taught me that leadership isn’t just about improving yourself. It’s about helping others succeed. I learned to focus on my team’s needs and lead by example.” Many felt that sense of leadership deepen as they faced moments of discomfort together. “Every part of this trip pushed me out of my comfort zone, mentally, physically, and emotionally,” another student said. “I learned that growth only happens when you face discomfort head-on and trust your team.”
Veteran mentors—many from the Navy SEALs, Air Force Pararescue, and Army Special Forces—also thrived in the experience, guiding students with patience and purpose while rediscovering their own sense of service and connection. By the end of the trip, shared challenges had transformed a diverse group of individuals into a true team, where respect, accountability, and mutual support came naturally. As one participant put it, “By the end of the trip, we really became a team. Everyone was contributing, and communication just flowed.”
The impact of this program reaches far beyond the students and mentors who participated. By encouraging leadership, teamwork, and personal growth, the Britt Foundation’s work plants seeds for a stronger, more connected New Hanover County. The lessons learned, bonds formed, and confidence gained by these students and veterans will continue to ripple through our community, inspiring others to lead, serve, and lift each other up.
The 2026 Spring Community Grant Cycle is now open. If your organization has an idea or project that could make a difference in our community, apply today.
