WILMINGTON, N.C. The Endowment has awarded a $500,000 grant to the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Center for Marine Science to support efforts to enhance flood safety and resilience in New Hanover County. This two-year planning grant will help the community better prepare for future flooding and recover more quickly by building cross-sector partnerships, improving flood detection infrastructure, and developing a comprehensive action plan that identifies and prioritizes local vulnerabilities.
Past storms—including Hurricane Florence (2018) and Hurricane Matthew (2016)—have demonstrated how costly and disruptive flooding can be. The Endowment’s investment will help align ongoing resilience efforts, pinpoint high-risk areas, and guide cost-effective solutions that reduce future impacts and support faster recovery.
“Preparing for the future means learning from the past,” said Sophie Dagenais, Interim President & CEO of The Endowment. “We remember the storms that have shaped this community, and we are committed to supporting efforts strengthening New Hanover County’s infrastructure, so residents, businesses, and ecosystems are better protected. This investment supports a coordinated, data-driven approach to flood resilience.”
With this grant, the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Center for Marine Science will convene a Flood Resilience Consortium that unites agencies and organizations focused on community preparedness, facilitating outreach, workshops, research, and implementation planning to guide long-term flood resilience efforts.
“This consortium will connect the many agencies and experts already working on flood issues, allowing them to move forward with shared priorities and clear roles,” said Mary Vail Ware, Director of Community Safety at The Endowment.
The two-year effort will convene a collaborative group of local agencies working to reduce flood risks and strengthen community safety and produce:
• An inventory of existing tools and resources, including maps, models, and data
• A comprehensive implementation plan detailing vulnerabilities, priority projects, timelines, and responsibilities
• A funding strategy aligning public, private, and philanthropic investments with the most critical initiatives
“This is about building a community that can withstand, adapt, and bounce back,” said Ware. “By investing in early planning and bringing partners together, we’re laying the foundation for solutions that safeguard our environment, infrastructure, and future.”
About The Endowment
The Endowment’s mission is to improve the health, education, safety, and economic opportunity of every person in New Hanover County. The Endowment was established from the sale of the county-owned New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Novant Health in 2020. The initial fund has grown from nearly $1.3 billion to more than $1.7 billion, allowing The Endowment to award millions in grants to our community every year, in perpetuity.
To stay informed about upcoming grant opportunities, news, and community events, follow The Endowment on social media or subscribe to the newsletter at www.theendowment.org
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