WILMINGTON, N.C. Following last week’s joint announcement with New Hanover County leaders and New Hanover County Schools outlining a $116 million conditional commitment to renovate and improve school facilities, The Endowment has awarded four new grants to support education and youth-serving organizations in New Hanover County.
These investments advance The Endowment’s strategic goals by supporting a coordinated approach to improving academic achievement and expanding access to positive youth development opportunities this summer and throughout the year.
“When children and families have access to high-quality educational and enrichment opportunities, we help lay the foundation for long-term success across New Hanover County,” said Sophie Dagenais, President and CEO of The Endowment. “Together, these investments reflect a unified strategy: pairing long-term improvements to the quality of school environments with near-term support for the programs, services, and opportunities that help students thrive. The new grants advance a coordinated approach to improving academic achievement, preparing young people for careers, and expanding access to positive youth development opportunities this summer and throughout the year, ensuring that as learning spaces are strengthened over time, students are supported every step of the way.”
A $896,000 grant to Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington (GLOW) supports efforts to improve academic achievement, expand pathways to postsecondary success, and promote economic mobility for young women in grades 6–12. Funding will strengthen intervention and instructional support, improve transportation access, and expand opportunities for leadership development and career exploration. It will also enhance programs such as GLOW Works, Cool Women, Hot Jobs, and the Senior Retreat, which provide leadership training, college and career planning, and opportunities for goal setting and future success.
Funding for Brooklyn Arts Music Academy will support its Music Is Life program during the 2026–2027 school year, helping children develop the cognitive, emotional, and social skills that support resilience and growth. In partnership with New Hanover County Schools, the program serves students at Dorothy B. Johnson Pre-K, Mary W. Howe Pre-K, and through an after-school violin program at Forest Hills Elementary School.
“These investments support both academic achievement and personal growth, creating multiple pathways for young people to build skills, explore their interests, and prepare for future success,” said David Stegall, Director of Education and Community Development. “By expanding access to these opportunities, we aim to help young people develop confidence, experience a sense of belonging, and achieve long-term success.”
A grant to the North Carolina Coastal Federation will expand the organization’s summer coastal education programming in New Hanover County, increasing its reach by approximately 250 youth. Building on programs that already serve about 700 young people annually, the grant will support hands-on experiences in science and environmental stewardship through coastal education activities, transportation, and meals. Funding will also provide an eight-week, full-time paid summer internship for a Cape Fear Community College Marine Technology student. By adding internship support, the organization will expand its capacity and serve more young people while providing the student intern with valuable work experience.
Funding for First Tee of Greater Wilmington will support CommUNITY Camp, a no-cost summer program serving approximately 40 youth ages 12 to 18. The program combines golf instruction, mentorship, social-emotional learning, and nutritious meals, while extending First Tee’s mentorship-based model to help participants build confidence, resilience, and life skills.
“As summer approaches, these investments are part of The Endowment’s broader youth development portfolio to keep young people safe, connected, and engaged during the summer months while expanding access to meaningful opportunities,” said Mary Vail Ware. “These efforts help young people build skills, develop a sense of belonging, and explore potential career paths, including in STEM and environmental fields.”
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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New Grant Awards:
Brooklyn Arts Music Academy (BAMA) – $70,000: To use music-based learning to close opportunity gaps, strengthen early childhood development, and build the cognitive, emotional, and social skills that support long-term academic success, resilience, and economic mobility.
First Tee of Greater Wilmington – $13,000: To support one week of no-cost summer programming for approximately 40 youth, ages 12-18, through 20+ hours of structured programming that combines golf instruction with social-emotional learning and mentorship from trained coaches and volunteers and provides meals.
Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington (GLOW) – $896,000: To close opportunity gaps by strengthening academic supports, expanding access to transportation, and providing meaningful career exposure and leadership development that help students build the skills needed for postsecondary success and economic mobility.
North Carolina Coastal Federation: $45,794: To support an 8-week, full-time paid summer internship for a Cape Fear Community College Marine Technology student and provide coverage of transportation and meal costs that would otherwise prevent participating youth from accessing NCCF programming.