North Carolina is home to a number of funding institutions supporting economic development and related strategies necessary for economic growth. As a result of Golden LEAF’s strategic plan, one of the five strategic priorities is to have, and be recognized for, excellence in organizational collaboration, innovation, and impact. To help address this goal, a spotlight on North Carolina funders will be included in the Golden LEAF Newsletter at the beginning of each month as a resource for our readers.
In Western North Carolina, Dogwood Health Trust is working to dramatically improve the health and wellbeing of all people and communities. Dogwood Health Trust serves the 18 western-most counties of N.C., including the Qualla Boundary. Counties served include Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey counties.
Dogwood Health Trust currently has a rolling application process for all its priority areas, which include Housing, Education, Economic Opportunity, Health and Wellness.
Below is information for each of the Dogwood Health Trust’s Strategic Priority Areas:
Program: Economic Opportunity
Dogwood Heath Trust believes the ability to earn an income which can sufficiently support a family is at the foundation of sustaining a healthy life. Dogwood Health Trust believes economic opportunity is the greatest weapon in the fight against poverty and to improve all social determinants of health.
Contact:
Sarah Thompson, VP of Impact – Economic Opportunity
[email protected]
https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/economic-opportunity/
Program: Health & Wellness
Dogwood Health Trust believes everyone deserves to be healthy regardless of status, resources, or circumstances. Equity within health and wellness occurs when people can attain their full health potential. No one should be disadvantaged in this opportunity. The Health and Wellness strategic portfolio aims to support access to care and improving on current conditions, as well as upstream interventions and social determinants of health.
Contact:
William Buster, Senior VP of Impact
[email protected]
https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/health-wellness/
Program: Education
Dogwood Health Trust believes education begins at birth and lasts throughout life. Education can be a key to unleash the potential of opportunity for everyone, especially for those whose communities have been marginalized. Therefore, education should be equitable, excellent in its delivery and accessible to all regardless of place, gender, or ethnicity.
Contact:
Dr. Ereka Williams, VP of Impact – Education
[email protected]
https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/education/
Program: Housing
Dogwood Health Trust believes everyone deserves a safe and affordable home. Be it owning or renting a home, or seeking safe shelter, Dogwood Health Trust will work with local, state, and federal partners to support creation of safe shelter and affordable homes for all. Dogwood Health Trust believes that health and wellness begins when people are safely and affordably housed.
Contact:
Sarah Grymes, VP of Impact – Housing
[email protected]
https://dogwoodhealthtrust.org/housing/
To learn more about Dogwood Health Trust, sign up for Dogwood Health Trust’s newsletter or visit the grant application page. The grant application page explains Dogwood Health Trust’s current funding process, which can begin in two ways: 1) complete an online preapplication or 2) reach out to any member of the Impact Team to talk through ideas.