Dogwood Health Trust supplies $100k in grant funds for nonprofit COVID-19 vaccine efforts

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Right at $100,000 in grants will go towards getting people vaccinated for COVID-19 here in the mountains.

Dogwood Health Trust, the foundation created to distribute the profits from the sale of Mission Health to HCA, is supplying the grant funds.

DHT has awarded the $100,000 to the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina to distribute and help remove barriers for nonprofit COVID-19 vaccine efforts in 18 western counties, including the Qualla Boundary.

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Nonprofits can apply for up to $10,000 to help with vaccine events, outreach and other activities.

Organizers said setting up vaccine clinics can be expensive.

"We talked to some people that have been having to ask for donations for food to feed volunteers. It's getting hot out, they need water, they might need fan rentals," said Elizabeth Brazas, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.

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"Some people need to rent tents and those are costs that we want to cover so that we can be part of the solution of moving past COVID-19," she continued.

As the pandemic has affected marginalized communities at disproportionately higher rates, these grants will support organizations serving diverse communities and reaching rural areas.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis with grants awarded within two weeks.

Nonprofits can apply HERE.