(April 2021) Dogwood Health Trust (DHT) has awarded $100,000 to CFWNC to be distributed through the Janirve Sudden and Urgent Needs (SUN) Grant program to support nonprofits in delivering the COVID-19 vaccine across Western North Carolina.
The SUN program awards grants of up to $10,000 to assist human service nonprofit organizations experiencing an unforeseen crisis that diminishes their ability to provide critical services. In this case, DHT and CFWNC want to remove barriers for nonprofit COVID-19 vaccine efforts in 18 western counties, including the Qualla Boundary, a service area the two funders share. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis with grants awarded within two weeks.
“Our goal is to help community-based organizations with vaccine events, outreach and other activities,” said CFWNC President Elizabeth Brazas. “These small grants can remove barriers for our nonprofit partners that operate on thin budgets. We will consider requests for food for volunteers, water, PPE, tent rentals, fan rentals, whatever is essential to getting more people vaccinated in the coming months.”
“Moving past COVID-19 means getting as many people vaccinated as possible, and that requires that we work together to make sure that community-based organizations can get the support they need to move quickly and creatively,” said Dogwood Health Trust Interim CEO Dr. Susan Mims. “Our partnership with CFWNC is just one example of the kind of collaboration our region will need to get past this pandemic and on to the work of rebuilding better and stronger than before.”
The pandemic has affected marginalized communities at disproportionately higher rates. These grants will support organizations serving diverse communities and reaching rural areas. With more than 40 years of service to WNC, CFWNC’s nonprofit network is broad, and trusted relationships allow for ease of communication. SUN’s streamlined grant application and approval processes mean that funds from DHT can quickly reach organizations of all sizes working in their communities.
Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina with the sole purpose of dramatically improving the health and well-being of all people and communities of 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina. Dogwood Health Trust was created from the net proceeds of the sale of Mission Hospital System and focuses on innovative and equitable ways to address the many factors that contribute to overall health and wellness, with a focus on housing, education, economic opportunity, and access to care and health resources. Dogwood Health Trust works to create a Western North Carolina where every generation can live, learn, earn and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all, no exceptions.