Driving Community Vitality Through Arts, Culture, and Creativity
WILMINGTON, N.C. Building on the success of its 2025 pilot, The Endowment is launching an enhanced Arts and Culture Grants Program for 2026 to directly advance its core priorities: education, social and health equity, community safety, and community development. By supporting a wide range of arts and cultural initiatives, the program fuels economic growth, enriches lives, and fosters opportunities for youth and residents of all ages to thrive.
“Investing in arts and culture yields substantial returns on quality of life, economic development, education, wellness, and community cohesion,” said Sophie Dagenais, Interim President & CEO of The Endowment. “These creative industries are engines that drive our community forward. Through this program, we are making a tangible investment in the vitality, resilience, and future of New Hanover County.”
In 2025, the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County was selected as The Endowment’s first nonprofit sub-granting partner, distributing $172,000 in grants to more than 30 local arts organizations. Building on this prior collaboration, the Arts Council will receive a $50,000 grant to support its work and administer the $500,000 Arts and Culture Grants Program in 2026, leveraging their expertise and local infrastructure to ensure broad and effective distribution. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting artists, arts organizations, and audiences through initiatives that create jobs, drive economic growth, and elevate the region as a premier arts and cultural destination.
This new program and accompanying grant builds upon The Endowment’s September announcement of 16 new grants worth over $20.3 million bringing The Endowment’s 2025 total to 159 awards and over $45.7 million, supporting residents at every stage of life.
“These types of grants provide vital resources for local artists and organizations to expand programs, engage the community, and inspire creativity across New Hanover County. Now is a unique moment to seize and leverage The Endowment’s investment in arts and culture. I know that all our supporters will join us in using this opportunity to build on and augment their impact and enhance their gifts to further promote a vibrant arts scene in Wilmington and New Hanover County,” said Rhonda Bellamy, Founding President & CEO of the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County.
About The Endowment
The Endowment’s mission is to improve the health, education, safety, and economic opportunity of every person in our community. 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 allow millions of dollars to be awarded as grants each 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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