The New Hanover Community Endowment has announced $2.8 million in new grants to expand access to healthcare and food, as well as to support youth safety and entrepreneurship, according to a news release Monday. 

The release stated that endowment money will fund a newly created grocery delivery program and support NC IDEA's 2026 Ecosystem Summit. The endowment announced it would allocate $1.2 million to a two-year grocery delivery program serving eight food deserts in New Hanover County, according to the release. The grant will be allocated to New Hanover County to launch the program, with “additional details (to) be shared jointly with the county soon,” the release stated. 

“Our investments are designed to meet young people and families where they are and support our vibrant community of entrepreneurs and innovation,” said Sophie Dagenais, president and CEO of the endowment, in the release. “We aim to strengthen access to quality programs, health care, nutritious food, and pathways to opportunity. Together, these efforts help build a community that is more connected, resilient, and positioned for long-term success.”

The endowment will also serve as a host community partner for NC IDEA’s 2026 Ecosystem Summit, scheduled for Nov. 12-13 at Lumina on Wrightsville Beach. The endowment allocated $100,000 toward the event, according to the release. 

Last year’s seventh annual Ecosystem Summit featured speakers including Andrew Yang of Noble Mobile and North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall. This year marks the first time NC IDEA’s Ecosystem Summit will be held in Wilmington. 

“This investment will position New Hanover County as a leader in entrepreneurship by creating spaces and partnerships that connect entrepreneurs, investors, and supporting organizations,” the release stated. “It will also strengthen pathways for business growth and local talent by expanding access to statewide resources, funding opportunities, and subject matter expertise.”

The endowment is also investing in summer enrichment programs, like ACCESS of Wilmington’s Inclusive Summer Recreation program, the Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern North Carolina’s Summer Youth Development program and Voyage and StepUp Wilmington’s summer programming. 

Additional grants will support Cape Fear HealthNet, Inc., a coordinated care network for uninsured adults, with a $125,000 grant, and Tides Inc., a perinatal recovery housing program, with a $515,000 grant. 

“At our December 2025 public meeting, we identified key barriers to improving health, education, safety and economic success, with food insecurity emerging as a challenge that cuts across all four of the endowment’s pillars,” said Dagenais in the release. “We’re pleased to be working with our government partners to identify and advance innovative solutions.”

The New Hanover Community Endowment, totaling $1.7 billion, was established from the 2021 sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Novant Health. Since its establishment, the endowment has allocated $176 million in grants, including $53 million in 2025 alone, according to officials.

Grant recipients also include: 

• ACCESS of Wilmington – $15,985: To fund a summer camp that provides a full-day youth development program designed to keep youth with disabilities engaged, supported, and inspired while school is out.
• Blue Ribbon Commission on the Prevention of Youth Violence (DBA Voyage) – $323,120: To provide paid and supportive summer youth employment programming and supportive services for at-risk youth to reduce violence and help youth move toward high school graduation and beyond.
• Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern North Carolina – $400,000: To fund a summer camp that provides a full-day youth development program designed to keep young people engaged, supported, and inspired while school is out.
• Cape Fear HealthNet Inc. – $125,000: To meet the health care needs of uninsured adults in NHC.
• StepUp Wilmington – $126,000: To engage New Hanover County youth in structured career pathways and paid internships.
• Tides Inc. – $515,000: To support the region’s only perinatal recovery housing program and strengthen staff capacity, enhance data systems, achieve state and national certifications, and advance planning for a dedicated recovery housing site.

The endowment announced the recipients of its 2026 Spring Community Grants program cycle in March, with awards totaling $500,000. The 2026 Fall Community Grants Program will open in July.