Investments of more than $81 million throughout western North Carolina.
Asheville, N.C. – Dogwood Health Trust announced today that its 2022 Annual Report is now available in a digital version that includes a full report as a PDF download. In total, Dogwood made more than $81 million in total community investments in 2022.
“Dogwood’s third full year of operation in 2022 saw considerable progress across the region, thanks to the work of hundreds of partners,” said Dr. Susan Mims, CEO of Dogwood Health Trust. “Our investments are built upon the trusting relationships we’ve cultivated with our partners to support their community-focused and community-led work. They continue to go beyond “business as usual” to create innovative and collaborative solutions to many of the challenges our region faces in terms of housing, education, economic opportunity and health & wellness.”
In 2022, Dogwood invested $73 million in traditional grant awards, nearly $800,000 in grant-writing and capacity building support, and $5.4 million in impact investments. Dogwood also adopted a new grantmaking approach that consists of two grant cycles for its four strategic priority areas – Housing, Education, Economic Opportunity, and Health & Wellness – and rolling applications for other opportunities. The new process helps clarify timelines so partners can better plan and prepare applications.
In addition to providing funding, Dogwood released five commissioned reports in 2022 and hosted webinars with research experts to share the contents with the community. More than 475 people attended these presentations, and each report fueled additional conversations within groups across the region. The reports include:
- A Landscape Analysis of K-12 Education
- An examination of the North Carolina T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® scholarship program
- The current early care and education landscape in WNC
- WNC Capital Landscape Assessment
- Opportunities for AgriFood Tech in Western North Carolina
Dogwood also rolled out its new brand and logo in January 2023 to better align with its purpose and more clearly convey its community investment philosophy and commitment to do good with the resources entrusted to the organization. The new brand was informed by a robust community perception survey and a grantee partner satisfaction survey, in which more than 80% of respondents gave high marks to Dogwood for responsiveness, professionalism, compassion and demonstrated trust in partner organizations.
“The entire Dogwood board and team are pleased to share the results of these incredible partnerships with our community and are honored to work beside our fellow Western North Carolinians to create a region where everyone can live, learn, earn and thrive – no exceptions,” Mims said.
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About Dogwood Health Trust
Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina with the sole purpose of dramatically improving the health and wellbeing of all people and communities of 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina. Dogwood Health Trust focuses on innovative and equitable ways to address the many factors that contribute to overall health and wellbeing, with a focus on housing, education, economic opportunity, and health and wellness. 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. To learn more, please visit www.dht.org.
