WILSON, N.C. (June 27, 2025) – The Healthcare Foundation of Wilson Board of Directors approved twenty-one new grants to support community projects that focus on solutions to some of the greatest health challenges for Wilson.
Each year, the Healthcare Foundation of Wilson provides responsive grant funding to organizations in the greater Wilson community. The 2025 awards total $933,000 in funding for initiatives that focus on solutions with measurable outcomes to address the Foundation’s four focus areas: access to healthcare, active living and healthy eating, alcohol and substance misuse, and behavioral and mental health. Grants have been awarded to nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies in Wilson that are dedicated to efforts aimed at enhancing the health and wellness of the Wilson community. “The organizations we partner with are essential in recognizing effective programs that resonate with our priority areas. The grant awards from the Foundation will enhance the results of these initiatives and back the joint objectives established by various groups serving the Wilson community,” stated Paula Benson, President.
The organizations awarded are:
Choices Women’s Center was awarded $32,100 to enhance their capacity to provide early prenatal care to pregnant women and their unborn babies. This initiative will allow women a strong start by increasing access to prenatal care services during the early stages of the first trimester, until they can establish care with one of Wilson’s existing prenatal care providers for continued care throughout their pregnancies.
Integrity Unlimited Community Development Corporation was awarded $25,000 to integrate hands-on nutrition education with interactive cooking experiences. This program bridges the gap between fresh, local food and everyday meals—all while promoting climate-friendly practices. A key feature of the program will be an onsite garden and greenhouse. The Harvest and Health program will complement the CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) program, previously funded in 2016 by the Healthcare Foundation of Wilson.
Meals on Wheels – Wilson County was granted $85,000 for an initiative called, “End the Wait.” The Wilson County office plans to provide meals to homebound citizens who have been on the waitlist anticipating delivered meals for at least a year. It costs $1,667 to feed one senior for a year.
Sallie B. Howard School was granted $51,600 to create a school-based telehealth program. The funds will provide the school with the opportunity to purchase equipment to offer virtual health and wellness appointments with a medical provider while students are on campus. This program will decrease absenteeism caused by common health issues or doctor’s visits, while helping to provide a safe and healthier learning environment for staff and students.
Seeds of Hope Wilson was awarded $10,000 to support multiple programming options that increase opportunities for Wilson’s citizens to have access to fresh produce and goods. Participants in their programs will build raised garden boxes, learn about pollination and honey harvesting, and prepare healthy meals in “farm to table” cooking classes. Seeds of Hope also plans to continue its partnerships with youth organizations to offer afterschool education courses focused on gardening, social awareness to food insecurity, and creating healthy meals.
St. James Christian Church was awarded $40,000 for their Community Mind and Wellness Initiative. The grant will fund a comprehensive mental and behavioral health program designed to enhance community well-being by providing educational training, peer support, and therapeutic resources. The initiative integrates expert-led workshops, community-based mental health education, and a nature-focused intervention through a community garden.
The Arc of Wilson County was granted $67,500 to address high depression rates in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The project is committed to enhancing social inclusion, reducing isolation, and promoting a more accepting society for those with disabilities. The Arc plans to provide multiple opportunities for social interactions among participants and their families, enabling them to engage in community life.
WhirliDogs Café Training Center was awarded $12,800 to expand their existing operations and increase the number of individuals in their training programs. Funds will be used for programs like the WhirliDog Prep Academy which provides foundational skills and confidence-building activities for future trainees. WhirliDogs Training Center is a fully functioning restaurant that trains, then creates a pathway to employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The training center decreases social isolation and supports hands-on high-quality training that can lead to employable skills in the food service industry.
Wilson Commerce Foundation was granted $25,300 to facilitate a comprehensive business health landscape survey. The survey will collect data on the level of benefits local businesses provide to employees in the following areas of concern: insurance coverage, wellness incentives, health screenings, mental health counseling/services, childcare incentives, housing/relocation allowances, maternity/paternity leave, and other metrics that determine health outcomes for employees. Once collected and validated, survey results will be shared directly with healthcare providers and business leaders in the community.
Wilson Community College was granted $18,000 to launch the Well Wolves Employee Wellness Program. The program’s purpose will be to promote physical and mental well-being of college employees through a series of strategic initiatives that include, an on-campus exercise room, weekly exercise classes, wellness challenges, “Lunch and Learn” information sessions, and healthy living workshops.
Wilson County Department of Social Services was awarded $125,000 to receive training and then provide the intervention, Alternatives for Families: A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, to families in need. Resilient Family Connections is a trauma-informed, family-focused, evidence-based treatment that improves relationships between children and caregivers. The program teaches caregivers how to address arguments, physical discipline, abuse, and behavior problems. It also promotes positive coping, self-control, and safe discipline strategies to prevent families from becoming involved with Child Protective Services. Offering the Resilient Family Connections Initiative to Wilson residents will strengthen family dynamics, improve child well-being, and promote a healthier community.
Wilson County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was awarded $100,000 to initiate a prehospital blood program. The Trauma Survivability Initiative will be invaluable to citizens who find themselves in need of EMS care where blood is needed. The program will reduce the amount of time a trauma patient will have to wait to receive a blood transfusion after a traumatic injury by providing blood on the EMS vehicle. Injured citizens could receive blood in minutes rather than waiting to be transported to a trauma center to receive a life-saving transfusion.
Wilson County Health Department was awarded $60,000 to decrease the financial barriers that often hinder care for those uninsured. The grant will support the cost of transportation, lab fees, and medical supplies for patients who cannot afford the expenses. The grant will empower patients through innovative solutions that promote primary care visits and exercising self-care.
Wilson County Interfaith Services – Hope Station was granted $27,700 to purchase fresh produce from local farmers to maintain Hope Station’s commitment to offering healthy food options to help reduce and/or prevent obesity. The funds will also be used to purchase healthy shelf-stable food to replace what is not collected in food drives. Participants in the Eat Healthy, Move More program will set health and fitness goals that will support a more physical and healthier lifestyle.
Wilson County Schools was awarded $127,500 to provide an adaptive and inclusive playground for students with special needs at Forest Hills Middle School. The playground will allow the students the ability to participate in outdoor activities like riding an adapted swing, ramps, and safe spaces to crawl and play. The play area will also provide opportunities for all of the school’s students to play together. The play area will be open to parents and caregivers of children who need adaptive equipment during non-school hours.
Wilson County Senior Activity Center was awarded $22,000 to encourage healthy eating, active living, and exercise for participants aged 55 and older. The Senior Activity Center will provide multiple cooking sessions that allow participants hands-on healthy cooking experiences, cooking supplies, and other essentials to promote healthy eating in their homes. Seniors will also have a chance to participate in weekly GERI-FIT classes, an evidence-based program that has been proven to help people with physical activity and chronic disease self-management for seniors.
Wilson County Senior Activity Center received $8,000 to offer Bingocize® to seniors aged 55 and older at the Senior Activity Center and other local senior living facilities in the Wilson community. Bingocize® is an evidenced program recognized by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) that incorporates the game bingo with physical activity and social interaction. This enjoyable program described as a vibrant fusion of fitness, health education, fun, and community engagement, seamlessly integrates into the lives of older adults.
Wilson Education Partnership was awarded $18,000 to continue their Career Health Connections initiative. Students participate in a nine-week program where they visit area healthcare facilities to learn more about the career pathway. The funds will also support the “Learning from the Locals” video library and connecting guest speakers to Health Science classrooms. Last, students will continue to participate in mock job interviews to improve their abilities to speak in public, make community connections, and build confidence.
Wilson Police Department was granted $20,000 for the Total Child Mentorship Program. The mentorship program is separated by age and gender, covering ages 9-17. Participants meet bi-weekly with Wilson Police Department and civilian volunteers to participate in activities that address topics such as drugs, alcohol, vaping, gangs, making healthy food choices, physical fitness, personal hygiene, dating, and the importance of education. The program is offered at no cost to the participants, and healthy meals and transportation are provided for those in need.
Wilson Raleigh Chapter of Black Nurses Rock received $7,500 to launch a new program to address youth substance misuse in Wilson County. This program will deliver evidence-based education, prevention strategies, and early intervention resources to empower youth and young adults to make informed, healthy choices.
Wilson Youth United – The SPOT was awarded $50,000 for their Free-2-Play initiative that creates an inclusive and accessible environment for youth in grades K-7 to engage in sports and recreation for free. By removing financial barriers, this program encourages participation in various sports, including soccer, basketball, football (both tackle and flag), and cheerleading/dance. The initiative is designed to ensure all participants can experience the joy and health benefits of team sports at no cost to their families.
The responsive grant cycle starts in February of each calendar year. Awardees complete a letter of inquiry and application to be considered for funding. Awardees are celebrated with a private reception where they receive their grant award, after which they begin the implementation or continuation of their program. “The Foundation is optimistic that the financial assistance offered through the grant funding will enable these organizations to enhance their services for clients and alleviate a significant portion of the financial strain linked to the proposed initiatives,” stated Krystal Cox, Vice President of Community Impact.
Visit the Foundation’s website or follow them on social media for updates on these programs throughout the next year.
About the Healthcare Foundation of Wilson
The Healthcare Foundation of Wilson is a public foundation that was established in February 2014 when Wilson Medical Center was purchased by Duke LifePoint Healthcare. The assets received, as well as prior hospital reserves, provide the funding for the responsive and strategic grants awarded and many of the physical improvements to the hospital. The Foundation’s mission is to invest in collaborative efforts that influence and measurably improve the health and wellness of the greater Wilson community. Since the first grants were issued in 2016, over $70 million dollars have been expended. The Foundation remains committed to creating a healthier Wilson community and looks forward to more collaborative partnerships in the future.
For more information about the Healthcare Foundation of Wilson and its programs, visit their website at www.healthcarefoundationofwilson.org.