Triangle North Healthcare Foundation Awards Grants for Local Health Impact
Triangle North Healthcare Foundation’s Board of Directors announced on June 26, 2025 that the Foundation has awarded 21 grants to 21 organizations totaling $1,207,857 for the Foundation’s grant year that begins October 1, 2026. The Foundation’s annual grant program supports initiatives that positively impact health throughout Vance, Warren, Granville, and Franklin counties.
Since beginning grantmaking in 2013, the Foundation has invested over $8.1 million in funding for programs to improve health in the four-county region.
All the grant programs fall into one or more of the Foundation’s five focus areas, which include Child Well-Being, Chronic Disease, Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder, Nutrition and Physical Fitness, and Reproductive Health.
Triangle North Healthcare Foundation is a regional healthcare grantmaking organization which was established in November 2011 after Maria Parham Medical Center merged with the for-profit hospital company, Duke LifePoint. The Foundation’s grants are made possible by the endowment that was created from the assets of the former nonprofit hospital. More information about the Foundation and future grant cycles is available at the website, www.tnhfoundation.org.
Recipients of the 2026-2027 TNHF grants include-
AIM High-Keep Pressing-Park & Play, provides fitness & nutritional counseling, recreational activities, and academic enrichment during the summer and after school. Impacting families through play to keep students safe, physically active as well as preventing learning loss.
ACIM/Area Congregations in Ministry-Backpack Buddies, supports targeted Granville County School students weekend meals and snacks.
Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central NC-Tripple Play serves over 900 students in our four-county area with a goal to increase consistent physical activity, strengthen nutrition education, and support social-emotional wellness. Through this work, they aim to reduce risk factors associated with childhood obesity, improve overall physical health, and build lifelong healthy habits. Boys & Girls Club increases youth confidence, teamwork, and resilience, creating a stronger foundation for long-term well-being.
Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas- Childhood Cancer Safety Net- ensures that every child has equitable access to outstanding pediatric oncology services, no matter where they live, how long their treatments last, or their family's financial circumstances. CCP provides reimbursement for travel-related expenses and emergency financial needs.
Edmonds Tennis & Education Foundation-Healthy Serve- Physical fitness remains the primary goal for combating child obesity and the negative effects of inactivity among youth. In addition to physical fitness, ETF fosters healthy eating habits. Youth interns assist ETF Leadership in program tennis coaching activities as well as academic assistance.
Freedom Bridge-Resource Center- This project will provide supportive services & community-based resources to individuals & families experiencing homelessness or housing instability, helping them achieve stability, improve well-being, & move toward self-sufficiency
Granville-Vance Public Health-Oral Tooth Club- Provides oral health services to uninsured residents of Granville and Vance Counties, eliminating financial barriers to dental care; therefore, preventing or reducing chronic disease and increasing proper nutrition.
Kerr-Tar Regional Food Council-Food Security Partnership- Maintains a food resource repository by keeping a centralized inventory of food assistance organizations updated so individuals and agencies can easily locate services. Kerr-Tar is launching an online food marketplace platform (e.g., Local Food Marketplace) allowing farmers to list inventory and enabling businesses and consumers to purchase fresh, locally grown food, supported by technical assistance from Working Landscapes and NC Cooperative Extension. Their efforts will increase nutritious food availability, support local agriculture, and improve health and physical fitness outcomes in Franklin, Granville, Vance, and Warren Counties.
Safety & Security- Life Line Shelter offers homeless women & children in crisis with food, temporary shelter, love, and understanding. Participants gain a new way of living. Women and children are provided emergency transitional housing, food, transportation, clothing, spiritual counseling and employment supportive services as they transition to independence.
Masonic Children’s Home in Oxford-Community Support Center- Provides coordinated, community-based support by connecting rural residents to vital resources to improve health and well-being and reduce risks linked to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Through a multi-agency model with six onsite partners and additional collaborators, CSC streamlines referrals, coordinates care, and delivers emergency financial assistance to prevent hunger, eviction, utility shutoffs, homelessness, and barriers to healthcare. Participants receive in-kind items such as food, clothing, infant essentials, and hygiene supplies. CSC offers workshops, support groups, and classes—including Triple P parenting, vaping-prevention, and nutrition classes—that promote healthier home environments.
NC MedAssist provides free community-based OTC medicine distribution events to residents of Franklin, Granville, Vance, and Warren counties.Through their licensed charitable pharmacy, eligible uninsured residents will enroll in the Free Pharmacy Program through clinic referral or direct application. Prescriptions for chronic conditions—including hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease—will be dispensed and mailed directly to patients’ homes or partner clinics, eliminating cost and transportation barriers.
Perfecting Praise-Rural Wellness- Is dedicated to serving youth and adults experiencing psychological challenges. The team includes licensed therapists, social workers, and community outreach specialists with experience in trauma-informed care and culturally competent service delivery. The program will address anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and other behavioral health concerns. They will also incorporate mental wellness education and community support groups with services being provided at our church, as well as through tele-therapy options for clients with transportation barriers. PP will also plan to host community outreach events at schools, churches, and local centers.
Remote Area Medical Clinic (RAM) at Vance Charter School will serve a weekend clinic to offer free medical, dental, and vision care services. These personalized services would not be possible without the work of VCS staff and RAM volunteers. RAM Clinics started in Vance County in 2022 and to date, 1,259 have received services totaling over $1,042,300.
Ripe for Revival Mobile Market Program serves individuals and families living in and around Franklin, Granville, Vance, and Warren Counties, ensuring that anyone—regardless of income—has access to fresh, healthy food. They provide weekly “pay-what-you-can” mobile market stops within communities, increasing access to affordable, nutritious food while fostering dignity and choice
Safe Space-Rural Youth Dev. Project- This program targets middle and high school students (ages 11–18) in Franklin County, NC, with a focus on those impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) such as abuse, neglect, or family instability. Special emphasis will be placed on reaching youth from underserved, marginalized, and rural communities, as well as those who witness domestic violence or experience sexual assault.
S.a.M. Child Advocacy Center-Strength in Meding-Supports the ongoing the work of S.a.M. CAC provides coordinated, trauma-informed services for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, exploitation, or human trafficking. Through services such as Child Forensic Interviews, Child Medical Evaluations, Child & Family Advocacy, and Prevention/Outreach, they strengthen positive outcomes and the community’s ability to recognize, prevent, and respond to child abuse.
Sheperd Youth Ranch-Trails to Success provides 18 weekly equine assisted learning sessions to 15 children and a minimum of 15 parents from the TNHF region suffering from trauma. Services also include family sessions monthly for families who graduate from the Trail to Success program. There are no other organizations in the TNHF region providing equine assisted learning programs. SYR has been in business for 22 years, since 2004. In that time, they served over 8,500 children and families who suffered trauma in over 31,500 hours of therapeutic programing to adult survivors of human trafficking, veterans, women survivors of domestic violence, memory care patients and various church groups as well as corporate groups.
Student U-After School Programming at Clark Elementary- Partners with the Henderson Family YMCA to support Clarke Elementary to continue their school-based afterschool program that started in the 2025-26 school year. This project has grown from direct need expressed by Clarke administration, caregivers, and staff for school-based afterschool programming. As a community school, Clarke seeks to support their students and families beyond just academics and looks to draw upon community resources to also support their families’ mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. High quality and affordable afterschool programming for students is a major need for Clarke families that has made a large impact. The Henderson Y will continue serving as the implementation partner for Clarke’s afterschool program, bringing over 40 years of local expertise implementing out of school time programming for Vance County students.
TROSA-Long-Term Substance Abuse Recovery Program-Provides no-cost, evidence-based addiction treatment grounded in proven methods that emphasize community support, behavioral growth, and pragmatic coping strategies. They also offer a wide range of integrated services—including medical care, counseling, education, expunction assistance, job training, and ongoing recovery support which best positions people for long-term successful recovery. These treatment components help individuals build stable, healthy, and self-sufficient lives. Through this project, TROSA gives life-changing treatment to Triangle North region residents. Access to programs like TROSA is essential to help break the cycle of addictions detrimental consequences, and a support system necessary to achieve lasting recovery with a renewed sense of purpose.
YMCA Henderson provides high quality after school care and summer day camp programming which promotes healthy physical, social and emotional development of children.
VANCE COUNTY CHILD WELL-BEING LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS
The VCCWLA summarizes and analyzes:
- The general community environment in which Vance County children are living.
- Data and risks which are particularly relevant to children in Vance County.
- Programs and services available for children in Vance County & the agencies and organizations that offer them.
- Gaps in services and obstacles to providing the programs and services; and
- Collaboration among the relevant agencies and organizations to maximize benefits to children.
A concluding section offers recommendations to improve services and benefits to children in Vance County.
TNHF Launches Strategic Planning Initiative
The Triangle North Healthcare Foundation (TNHF) is embarking on an important journey to shape its next three-year strategic plan (October 2026 – October 2029). Beginning November 2025, TNHF will lead a collaborative process designed to gather insight from community stakeholders and analyze key health data across its four-county service area. This initiative will guide the Foundation’s future investments and deepen its impact on community health and wellbeing.
The purpose of this process is to ensure TNHF’s strategy reflects both the voices of local partners and the data-driven realities of the region’s health landscape. The Foundation aims to develop a plan which balances direct services, capacity-building projects, and generational work. The objective is to meet immediate needs and also address the root causes of health challenges.
Inclusive and Evidence-Based Planning
Over the coming months, TNHF will:
Engage key stakeholders through multiple in-person focus groups with grant recipients and partner agencies. These conversations will help identify community priorities and inform future funding directions.
Conduct a comprehensive data analysis of health and planning reports from county health departments, area hospitals, local governments, and other foundations to identify emerging trends and key priorities.
Insights from both the stakeholder input and data review will help the TNHF Board shape a list of potential focus areas and actions to consider at a strategic planning retreat.
Building a Shared Vision
As part of this process, TNHF will develop fact sheets on potential focus areas, each highlighting relevant health indicators, community perspectives, and example strategies across three categories:
Direct service initiatives which address immediate needs.
Capacity-building efforts to strengthen community organizations.
Generational strategies which tackle systemic root causes of poor health.
When the strategic plan is complete, TNHF will conduct an amplifier analysis to identify opportunities for collective impact. The Foundation will then convene partners with shared priorities to explore how collaboration can enhance the reach and effectiveness of everyone’s work.
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TNHF Board of Directors Selects New Executive Director
After a national search process that yielded 31 applications from 8 states and three highly qualified finalists, the Board of Directors of the Triangle North Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors announced on August 28, 2025 that it has selected Paul Ross for the position of Executive Director of the Foundation. Ross will replace Tem Blackburn who has served as Interim Executive Director since 2023. Ross, a native of Henderson, currently serves as Executive Director of the Henderson Family YMCA, a position he has held since 2014.
In announcing the selection, TNHF Chair Terri Hedrick, commented: “Paul distinguished himself through his proven executive leadership experience, his deep and long-standing connection to our community, his evident love for its people and his clear, long-term commitment to its future. These qualities, combined with his alignment to our mission and founding purpose, make him the right leader to guide the Foundation into its next chapter.”
In accepting the appointment, Ross stated that he had become familiar with many of the non-profit organizations funded by TNHF through his work at the YMCA and was “looking forward to working closely with all of the TNHF funded organizations to assist them in serving the needs of our communities.”
2025-2026 Strategic Small Grants Program
This year the foundation awarded 12 strategic small grants totaling $91,750 to nonprofit organizations for projects beginning October 2025 through June 2026 grant year. The Strategic Small Grant Program (SSGP) is to provide financial assistance to nonprofit, education and governmental organizations in Franklin, Granville, Vance and Warren counties which will serve an immediate need in the Foundation’s priority areas: Child Well-being, Senior Well-being, Housing and Homelessness, Mental Health and Substance Abuse, and Food Security. This is a one-time, non-renewable grant up to $10,000 per grant in funding.
Recipients of our 2025-2026 Strategic Small Grants include:
Granville, Vance and Warren County Farmer’s Markets supporting Senior vouchers and participants in the EBT,SNAP and WIC programs. Granville County Cooperative Extension included a Farm to Fridge stations to help bridge the gap to those in need by placing refrigerators within the Granville County Library system to offer fresh food for individuals with limited resources.
Mobile Man Cave sponsored by the Vance NC Cooperative Extension launched their pilot program The Mobile Man Cave is a community-based father engagement pilot designed to proactively connect fathers and their children to resources in informal, family-friendly environments. The program will host 10 pop-up engagement events across Spring, Summer, and Fall 2026 in high-visibility neighborhood locations such as vacant lots, community gathering spaces, and areas near schools or local events. Each event creates a relaxed environment that includes food, simple games, activities, and opportunities for conversation. Fathers will receive fatherhood resource books, while children will receive culturally relevant books to support literacy and positive family interaction.
Park & Play Senior program serves as a mobile recreational and nutritional support program aimed to eliminate transportation and food insecurity barriers experienced by seniors. AIMHigh-Keep Pressing in collaboration with Vance Senior Housing and local housing complexes will provide sessions each month to local neighborhoods to provide structured activities and nutritional meals and/or snacks. Each session will include 30 minutes of social interaction time, 30 minutes of recreational movement and 30 minutes for snacks & chat time. In partnership with AIMHigh Personal Training, LLC, Granville Vance Public Health, AmeriHealth Caritas NC, and Edman Health Group, professionals will collaboratively offer movement breaks, health screenings, and resources to all participants. The program also provides seniors with access to fitness, outdoor spaces/parks, digital literacy and access to healthy foods and essentials.
Freedom Bridge Queens Collective Care project is a community-based initiative focused on promoting dignity, wellness, and access to essential hygiene and self-care products for women and girls. Through consistent engagement, the program not only distributes care kits but also builds supportive relationships, provides education, and empowers participants.
Higher is Waiting Empowered Program is a youth-led initiative that provides consistent mentorship, leadership development, and access to essential resources for teens ages 13 to 19. Many participants face barriers such as poverty, lack of reliable transportation, food insecurity, limited access to career exposure, and the absence of consistent positive peer environments. EMPOWERED intentionally removes these barriers by creating a safe, structured space where youth are supported, challenged, and equipped with the tools needed to grow and succeed. Participants actively engage in community service projects such as assembling and distributing hygiene bags, volunteering at local shelters, supporting community events, and organizing donation drives. These experiences not only meet immediate needs but also teach youth responsibility, empathy, and the importance of giving back.
Sisters Speak Life Initiative is designed to increase access to breast health screening services for individuals in Vance County and surrounding communities, especially those who face barriers such as limited healthcare access, transportation, financial hardship, fear, and lack of awareness. Sisters Speak Life will help increase access to screenings, strengthen community awareness, and provide support that encourages individuals to move from fear and delay toward early detection, healing, and hope.
Unity Forward is a faith based recovery program meeting at South Henderson Pentecostal Church. In addition to addiction recovery counseling, GED tutoring is offered to prepare individuals to pass their GED and better themselves in the workplace.
Warren Ministries United Blessings in a Bag provides at risk elementary school children with additional items to eat over the weekend to supplement their intake during the school year. Every Thursday the bags are packed and they are delivered to the schools on Friday to be given out to the students for the weekend. The school social worker helps identify the children who will most likely need these bags and they are delivered to those students.
Autism Society Camp Royal grant funds Camp Royall which is the nation’s oldest and largest camp designed specifically for individuals with autism. Camp Royall has a residential or day camp in the summer and year-round programs like mini-camp weekends, family fun days, and spring and winter break camps. Camp Royall provides individuals with an opportunity to learn new life skills once thought unattainable, grow in confidence and independence, try new activities, and make friends.
Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start will cover character traits to local child care centers focusing on one trait to teach and model for the children. Students will be given positive verbal feedback for demonstrating the focused trait. At the end of each month, each center has a special recognition with award certificates and small tokens for students who have demonstrated the trait consistently. In addition, each participating center will select one child to represent their center to be recognized at the county level each month. A selection team at FGV will then select one overall winner from each county, who will be visited by FGV staff and awarded a certificate and a gift card. The traits that are taught, modeled, and recognized will be teamwork, respect, self-control, sharing, gratitude, thoughtfulness, kindness, responsibility, acceptance, resiliency, honesty, determination, and courage.