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New Hanover Community Endowment Inc

Annual Giving
$58.0M
Grant Range
$5K - $5.7M
Decision Time
2mo
Success Rate
34%

New Hanover Community Endowment Inc

Quick Stats

  • Total Assets: $1.35 billion
  • Annual Giving: $58+ million (2025)
  • Success Rate: Approximately 33-35% (based on first grant cycle data)
  • Decision Time: Approximately 2 months from application deadline
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $5,700,000 (Community Grants: $5,000-$15,000; Strategic Grants: varies)
  • Geographic Focus: New Hanover County, North Carolina only

Contact Details

Address: 115 N 3rd St Suite 400, Wilmington, NC 28401

Phone: (910) 756-5990

Email: information@theendowment.org

Website: https://theendowment.org

Grant Portal Support: grants@theendowment.org

Technical Assistance: Eileen O'Malley, Chief Technology Officer - eomalley@nhcendowment.org

Network Officers: Available for pre-application consultation

Overview

The New Hanover Community Endowment Inc was established in 2021 following New Hanover County's sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Novant Health. With approximately $1.35 billion in assets, it instantly became one of North Carolina's largest endowments. The organization's mission is "to improve the health, education, safety, and economic opportunity of every person" in New Hanover County, with a vision to "transform our community so all will thrive." Since inception, the Endowment has awarded 363 cumulative grants totaling $177 million. In 2025 alone, the organization committed $59 million across 169 new grants. The Endowment operates with a clear philosophy: it will not serve as a "backstop for what the government would pay for," instead positioning itself as providing enrichment and tackling root causes of community challenges through innovative and collaborative solutions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

2026 Community Grants Program: $5,000 - $15,000 (increased from $5,000 maximum in 2025)

  • Two application cycles annually (early 2026 and fall 2026)
  • Total program funding capped at $1 million
  • Supports specific community-based projects and initiatives
  • Streamlined application process with technical support including step-by-step guides, webinars, and dedicated office hours
  • One application per organization per cycle

Capacity Grants Program: Up to $5,000

  • Supports organizational development and internal strengthening
  • Eligible uses: strategic planning, professional development, leadership development, board development, financial stability initiatives, research and program evaluation, data organization, tech and software licenses, conference fees, memberships, internships, externships, and grant writing
  • Designed to help organizations invest in long-term success

Arts and Culture Grants Program: $500,000 total (2026)

  • Administered through Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County ($50,000 administrative grant)
  • Nearly triples the 2025 pilot funding ($172,000 to 30 organizations)
  • Supports cultural initiatives advancing core priorities while fueling economic growth

Strategic Grants: Variable amounts, typically large-scale investments

  • Rolling application process for major projects
  • Recent awards range from $900,000 to $5.7 million
  • Focus on transformational community impact

Priority Areas

The Endowment funds initiatives aligned with four strategic pillars:

Education: Enhancing learning opportunities and pathways to success

  • Primary, secondary, and post-secondary education support
  • Achievement gap reduction initiatives
  • Workforce development programs (e.g., $22.3 million for healthcare workforce development)

Social & Health Equity: Expanding access to health resources and equitable opportunities

  • Healthcare access and infrastructure
  • Food access programs
  • Social care networks
  • Reentry programming

Community Development: Promoting economic growth, housing, and infrastructure

  • Affordable housing development
  • Economic opportunity initiatives
  • Community resources and facilities
  • Environmental initiatives (emerging priority area)

Community Safety: Creating safe environments and strengthening community resilience

  • Youth safety programs
  • Community advocacy centers
  • Prevention and intervention initiatives

What They Don't Fund

Geographic Restrictions: Only funds organizations serving or benefiting New Hanover County residents. Surrounding counties cannot access funding regardless of need levels.

Government Replacement: The Endowment's bylaws prohibit it from serving as a backstop for government services. Board Chair Shannon Winslow states: "The Endowment and our bylaws prohibit us from being a backstop for what the government would pay for." The organization positions itself as providing enrichment rather than replacing local, state, or federal government responsibilities.

Explicit Exclusions: While specific exclusions (religious activities, political lobbying, etc.) are not detailed on public materials, applicants must demonstrate alignment with the four strategic pillars and serve New Hanover County residents.

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

Interim President and CEO: Sophie Dagenais

  • Previously served as Vice President of Programs and Grants
  • Former Assistant Dean at Syracuse University
  • Former Chief of State to Baltimore Mayor and leader of Baltimore Civic Site at Annie E. Casey Foundation (a $3.4 billion charitable organization)
  • On transparency: "Transparency. Our greatest asset is our integrity."
  • On emerging priorities: "I am going to predict that the environment will play a very, very important role in our work for a multitude of reasons, including the economy itself"

Board Chair: Shannon Winslow

  • Serving third term, appointed by New Hanover County Board of Commissioners

Board Composition

The Board of Directors comprises 13 volunteers:

  • 5 appointed by New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
  • 6 appointed by Novant Health Coastal Region Board
  • 2 selected by The Endowment Board of Directors

Recent Board Members:

  • Justin Burgess (appointed by County Board of Commissioners)
  • Bart Williams (appointed by Novant Health)
  • Edelmira Segovia (third term, board-selected)
  • Cedric Dickerson

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

10-Step Application Process:

  1. Review priorities and confirm eligibility (501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsorship)
  2. Assess organizational capacity to manage funds and report outcomes
  3. Contact Network Officer or grants@theendowment.org with questions
  4. Develop clear project goals, objectives, and timeline
  5. Prepare detailed budget and financial documents
  6. Secure board and stakeholder support
  7. Identify fiscal sponsor if needed (for non-tax-exempt organizations)
  8. Create portal account and submit Letter of Inquiry
  9. Complete full application via Fluxx grants portal
  10. Participate in review process and site visits if requested

Required Documentation:

  • Most recent IRS Form 990 (990-N, 990-EZ, or full 990)
  • Proof of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (if applicable)
  • Audited financial statements OR financial statements for last two fiscal years
  • Current list of Board of Directors

Technical Support Available: The Endowment provides step-by-step guides, webinars, and dedicated technical assistance office hours. Organizations are encouraged to contact Network Officers for pre-application guidance.

Application Portals: Applications submitted through online Fluxx grants portal at theendowment.org

Decision Timeline

Community and Capacity Grants:

  • Two cycles annually (applications open early 2026 and fall 2026)
  • Approximately 2 months from application deadline to decision announcement
  • Board votes on grants typically 2-3 months after deadline

Strategic Grants:

  • Rolling application process for larger projects
  • Timeline varies based on project scope and complexity
  • May include site visits and extended review periods

Notification: Applicants notified via email through the grants portal

Success Rates

Based on the first grant cycle in December 2022: Over 100 grants were awarded from nearly 200 applications, suggesting an approximate success rate of 33-35%.

For the Community and Capacity Grants in 2025: 111 grants totaling $500,000 were awarded (70 Community grants, 41 Capacity grants).

The 2026 Community Grants Program is described as "competitive" with a total funding cap of $1 million, suggesting selectivity will continue.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent grant cycles. According to WHQR reporting from 2023, organizations were concerned about "hurting their chances of getting a revamped application approved in the next cycle," which confirms reapplication is permitted.

No specific waiting period or restrictions for reapplication were found in available documentation. Organizations may submit one application per cycle for the Community Grants Program.

Application Success Factors

Direct Guidance from The Endowment:

"Strong applications demonstrate alignment with our strategic pillars, a clear plan for impact, and a sustainable vision for long-term success" - from the Endowment's Before You Apply guide

Key Success Factors:

  1. Strategic Alignment: Applications must clearly demonstrate connection to one or more of the four strategic pillars (Education, Social & Health Equity, Community Development, Community Safety)

  2. Root Cause Focus: The Endowment invests in "organizations tackling the root causes of community challenges" - surface-level interventions are less competitive than systemic solutions

  3. Evidence-Based Approaches: Former CEO Dan Winslow emphasized: "Trust comes with time. Trust comes with results. Trust comes with evidence-based solutions, and I think the proof is going to be in the pudding."

  4. Clear Impact Plan: Applications need well-defined project goals, objectives, timeline, and measurable outcomes

  5. Financial Preparedness: Detailed budgets and current financial statements demonstrate organizational capacity - audited financials are required or two years of financial statements

  6. Organizational Capacity: Applicants must demonstrate ability to manage funds and report outcomes effectively

  7. Collaborative Solutions: The Endowment values "innovative and collaborative solutions" that drive lasting impact

  8. Differentiation for Multiple Applications: If applying for both Community and Capacity grants, "clearly differentiate the objectives and use of funds for each grant"

  9. Ranking Priorities: Submit ranked applications if submitting multiple proposals due to expected high volume

Recent Funded Projects (Examples):

  • Wilmington Housing Authority: $5.7M for Hillcrest senior housing development
  • Thalian Hall: $3M for capital campaign expansion
  • LINC: $1.4M for reentry programming sustainability
  • New Hanover County Schools: $2.7M for targeted staffing to close achievement gaps
  • Carousel Child Advocacy Center: $1.9M for operations and program sustainability
  • Kids Making It: $900K for general operations and Apprentice Campus launch

Common Patterns in Funded Projects: Multi-year operational support, capital projects with clear community benefit, programs addressing systemic inequities, workforce development initiatives, and partnerships with established organizations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic Requirement is Absolute: Only organizations serving New Hanover County residents are eligible - no exceptions for neighboring counties
  • Don't Replace Government Services: Avoid proposals that substitute for typical government responsibilities; focus on enrichment and innovation
  • Root Causes Over Symptoms: Frame proposals around addressing underlying community challenges rather than temporary relief
  • Use Technical Assistance: The Endowment provides substantial support (webinars, office hours, Network Officers) - utilize these resources to strengthen applications
  • Scale Matters: The Endowment funds both small grants ($5,000-$15,000) and transformational investments ($1M+); tailor your ask to project scope and organizational capacity
  • Demonstrate Sustainability: "Sustainable vision for long-term success" is explicitly valued - show how the project will continue beyond grant funding
  • Two Cycles for Community Grants: Plan strategically for early 2026 or fall 2026 cycles; only one application per cycle allowed
  • First-Time Applicants Welcome: With 169 grants awarded in 2025 alone, the Endowment is actively building relationships with new organizations
  • Transparency and Integrity Valued: Under Interim CEO Sophie Dagenais, organizational transparency is emphasized as the "greatest asset"

References

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