Supporting innovation, collaboration, and community-led solutions across New Hanover County
The Endowment is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2026 Spring Community Grants. In the first cycle of its annual Community Grants Program, The Endowment’s board approved 41 grants totaling $500,000 to nonprofit and community-serving organizations across New Hanover County. These grants support efforts to expand opportunities, strengthen services, and improve residents’ well-being, including 13 awards in Social & Health Equity, 9 in Education, 9 in Community Safety, and 10 in Community Development, with many initiatives spanning multiple pillars reflecting the interconnected nature of our community’s needs.
“Community Grants support local leaders and organizations that make a direct difference in people’s lives,” said Sophie Dagenais, President and CEO of The Endowment. “Just as importantly, we learn from our applicants and grantees. This program gives us a real-time view of what’s happening in our community and helps strengthen our understanding of the community we serve.”
The 2026 Community Grants Program is built on lessons from the 2025 pilot. In 2026, the total Community Grants budget doubled to $1 million, split evenly between a Spring cycle and a Fall cycle, with individual awards ranging from $5,000 to $15,000.
The spring round was highly competitive, with 134 applications requesting $1.78 million in total, including 51 from organizations that had not previously received funding from The Endowment. Applicants were limited to one submission per organization per cycle, and all proposals were independently reviewed and scored by pillar-based subcommittees made up of The Endowment staff and Community Advisory Council members representing each of the four pillars.
“Each application reflected the creativity, dedication, and collaboration happening throughout New Hanover County,” said Shannon Wick, Network Associate. “These 41 grants represent not only strong programs, but strong partnerships that will continue to build stronger, more connected neighborhoods.”
Grant funds must be used by December 29, 2026, with final impact reports due by January 29, 2027. The 2026 Fall Cycle Community Grants will open in July, with $500,000 set aside to award another round of grants.
The complete list of Spring 2026 Community Grant recipients is listed below. The Endowment’s report on the reach and impact of our 2025 Community and Capacity Grants Program will be available on The Endowment’s website in April.
About The Endowment
The Endowment’s mission is to improve the health, education, safety, and economic opportunity of every person in New Hanover County. For more about The Endowment and to stay informed about upcoming grant opportunities, visit www.theendowment.org.
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