December 2023

Welcome to Nantahala Health Foundation's monthly newsletter. There's no shortage of newsletters you can subscribe to, so THANK YOU for reading ours today. If you find value in the content below, please share this information with your friends and colleagues.

In this Edition

• We Are So Grateful For Your Support
• Murphy Tackles Its Housing Crisis
• Introducing Our New Board Members
• Grantmaking By The Numbers
• Now + Next Accepting Applications
• These Just In... Support Available for Orgs and Students

We Are So Grateful For Your Support

On behalf of all of us at Nantahala Health Foundation, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to each one of you who generously contributed to our Giving Tuesday campaign. Your unwavering support has made a significant impact on our mission to enhance health and well-being initiatives in our community.

Your contributions will directly empower us to improve access to essential health services, implement innovative programs, and foster a healthier future for all right here in Western North Carolina. Your commitment to our cause is truly inspiring, and it reinforces our belief in the collective power of compassion and generosity.

We are deeply thankful for your trust in our vision and your dedication to creating positive change. Together, we are building a healthier and more resilient community.

Thank you for being integral to the success of Nantahala Health Foundation's mission.

Lisa Leatherman

Board Chair

Lori Bailey

Executive Director

If you did not have a chance to donate on #GivingTuesday, there's still time. Your gift of support is needed to advance the health and well-being impacts we are making by enhancing access to care, quality education, economic stability, and organizational capacity building in Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Swain, Jackson, and Macon counties and on the Qualla Boundary.

Murphy Addresses Its Housing Crisis

Nantahala Health Foundation would like to congratulate the Western North Carolina Housing Partnership and the Town of Murphy on the groundbreaking for a new, 56-unit workforce development housing complex in Murphy. Nantahala Health Foundation Executive Director Lori Bailey (not pictured) was excited to attend the event on December 1.

Valley River Apartments will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments to qualified applicants earning up to 60% of the area median income within the Town of Murphy. The development will feature large floor plans, solid wood cabinetry, washer/dryer hookups, outside storage, gazebo and picnic/grilling area, a clubhouse, playground, computer stations and more.

While discussing the project with Murphy Mayor and Now + Next alum Tim Radford (pictured center behind the check), Lori expressed her appreciation for the partnerships that made this effort possible.

Beyond providing shelter, housing plays a vital role in preventing health risks, reducing stress, and promoting a strong sense of community. Recognizing housing as a critical need and prioritizing policies that ensure safe and affordable housing for all can have a profoundly positive effect on our region's health and well-being. We are thrilled to celebrate this important initiative for Murphy and the surrounding area."

-- Lori Bailey

Nantahala Health Foundation

Executive Director

Welcome Our New Board Members

Nantahala Health Foundation Board Officers for 2024 were elected this month, with terms to begin in January.

Lisa Leatherman of Macon County was re-elected Board Chair.

Roger Plemens of Macon County was re-elected Board Vice Chair.

Angie Knight of Graham County was re-elected Board Secretary.

Jane Kimsey of Macon County was elected Board Treasurer.

Reserve Your Seat at Now + Next in 2024

PROGRAM UPDATE: Our Winter 2024 Session is Full

Now + Next alumni are having a positive impact on their organizations and the individuals they serve. Program graduates have been equipped with the tools and knowledge to drive organizational growth and efficiency and achieve strategic objectives. Here's what one graduate said about the program experience:

As this year comes to a close, we are pausing to reflect on the regional partnerships and investments we have been honored to make throughout Western North Carolina since our launch in 2019.

Our partners have deployed these funds in support of more than 170 innovative projects benefitting countless individuals -- children, seniors, veterans, and families in need -- struggling to improve their health and well-being. We look forward in the coming year to continuing this work with a sharpened focus on the areas required to address our region's greatest priorities.

Community support of this work makes it possible. For our generous supporters, we are eternally grateful.

These Just In...

Regional Grant Cycles Accepting Applicants,

Opportunities for Area Students, Teachers

Dogwood Health Trust’s 2024 Strategic Priority Grant opportunities are open. These grant opportunities focus on specific areas within their Housing, Education, Economic Opportunity, and Health & Wellness. The initial “Engage With Then” phase closes on January 26, 2024.

In addition, Dogwood will make grants on a rolling/ongoing basis in 2024 for Community Equity, Sustainable Organizations/Leverage Fund, and Policy & Advocacy. Begin the application process for those grants at any time.

ZSR is accepting grant applications for their Community Progress Fund, which provides an infusion of short-term funding for groups working locally to test ideas, expand promising efforts, and achieve greater impact. The parameters are broad by design so they can be responsive to the diverse needs of communities across North Carolina, especially those that don’t have easy access to dollars — philanthropic or otherwise — to test ideas or grow programs. Deadline to apply is January 26, 2024.

ARC Accepting Applications for Student, Teacher Summer Enrichment Programs

The Appalachian Regional Commission has opened applications for two summer study opportunities: Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy held at Appalachian State University in Boone and Appalachian STEM Academy at Oak Ridge, TN.

Both programs, planned for summer 2024, are free intensive learning experiences specifically for the Appalachian Region’s high school and/or middle school students and teachers. The application deadline for both programs is February 2, 2024.

In observance of the holidays ahead, our office will be closed

December 22 - 26 and on January 1.

Our grant-making priorities are designed to create a strong network of organizations by investing in your strategies to remove barriers to health.

At Nantahala Health Foundation, we build partnerships with forward-thinking organizations focused on improving the overall health of the region. 

Our Values Statement

Our values speak to who we are as an organization and how we intend to achieve our mission. Read our full statement of values and let us know what you think.

Financial information about our organization and a copy of our license are available from the N.C. State Solicitation Licensing Section at (919) 807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.