WILMINGTON, N.C. The Endowment is pleased to announce it has selected Mosaic Group to lead a county-wide Behavioral Health Landscape Analysis. This initiative will explore New Hanover County’s mental health and substance use systems of care, identify opportunities to strengthen services and address barriers, and engage community voices to guide future strategies and grantmaking. The county has made significant investments in behavioral health services and brings substantial resources and leadership to this important work. The landscape analysis will complement these efforts by identifying opportunities to align and strengthen community-wide strategies.
“Access to mental health and substance use services is essential for a healthy and resilient community,” said Sophie Dagenais, Interim President & CEO of The Endowment. “This work will help us understand what’s working—and where gaps remain—so we can invest in solutions that are community-informed and integrated, grounded in data, and guided by impact.”
The analysis builds on priorities outlined in The Endowment’s Strategic Refresh, including rising mental health needs, disparities in maternal and infant health, and the broader effects of stress and trauma. Nearly one in four adults in New Hanover County report symptoms of depression, and many families continue to face challenges accessing care. These pressures intersect with workforce shortages, youth violence, and other factors that contribute to cycles of stress and instability, issues that call for coordinated, trauma-informed approaches across systems.
Findings from this work will inform a Comprehensive Landscape Analysis, a report bringing together data on behavioral health needs, funding patterns, and community perspectives, along with a gap and opportunity assessment. Mosaic Group will collaborate with local stakeholders to understand how factors like service access, transportation, housing, and care coordination shape the behavioral health experience. The analysis will also examine philanthropic investments at the local, state, and national levels to identify areas of alignment, unmet needs, and opportunities where The Endowment can add unique value.
Community engagement will be central to the process, including interviews with agency leaders, providers, educators, justice system and grassroots partners; listening sessions with individuals in recovery, service users, and families; and community forums or cross-sector convenings. The resulting recommendations will be grounded in lived experience, reflect community priorities, and guide The Endowment’s grantmaking for maximum impact in 2026 and beyond.
Mosaic Group was selected for its nationally recognized expertise in behavioral health systems transformation, public health strategy, and philanthropic advising. Their multidisciplinary team brings both strategic insight and hands-on experience to the work ahead.
“This is about listening deeply and acting wisely,” said Leigh Quarles, Network Officer for Social & Health Equity at The Endowment. “We’re committed to supporting a behavioral health system that builds on the strengths of our systems of care and reflects the voices and needs of 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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