'We need to address the root causes:' Dogwood Health Trust outlines focus areas for 2023

HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — On Thursday, Oct. 6, Dogwood Health Trust held its annual community meeting at Blue Ridge Community College, outlining the investments it made in 2022 and its goals for 2023.

Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation formed from the net proceeds from the sale of the Mission Hospital System to HCA Healthcare. Its aim is to address factors that contribute to the overall health of Western North Carolinians -- the social determinants, or drivers, of wellbeing.

"At Dogwood Health Trust, we're really focusing on the things that are often neglected that actually help people live healthier lives; that's housing, education, economic opportunity, as well as health and wellness," said Susan Mims, the CEO of Dogwood Health Trust.

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The foundation provides funding to various nonprofits and government entities across the mountains that align with its mission and focus on equity. For 2022, Dogwood Health Trust is on track to provide about $74 million in grants and another $12 million in impact investments.

Mims went on to note that western North Carolina hasn’t always been able to claim its fair share of federal and state dollars for the region, so Dogwood also worked with partners “to bring more than $10 million dollars from outside sources, with more than $50 million in additional funds pending awards.”

Now, as the foundation looks to 2023, it is refining its focus. As a relatively young foundation, Mims said it had initially cast a wide net, making many broad investments, as it sought to make connections and establish a rapport with organizations in communities across the 18 counties Dogwood Health Trust serves.

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In 2023, she said the foundation won't be making as many broad investments because the best way to address the region's complicated needs is to go deeper.

"We need to address the root causes of problems," Mims said.

Among Dogwood Health Trust's focuses in 2023 are job training, recruitment and retention.

"The lack of qualified workers to fill those jobs has reached a critical state," Mims said to the audience during the community meeting.

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When it comes to economic prosperity, Dogwood Health Trust is additionally looking to support building entrepreneurial networks, leveraging opportunities for business development in rural communities and communities of color, and increasing broadband access.

Next year, Dogwood is also launching a multi-year effort with partners aimed at growing and sustaining the early childhood education workforce. It commissioned a report on those needs earlier this year.

Furthermore, the organization is looking to help fund more affordable housing, as well as the preservation and rebuilding of existing housing.

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Another big area of focus is the opioid crisis.

Dogwood Health Trust wants to continue compassionately addressing mental health challenges and substance use, along with providing support to reduce trauma and stress.

"We're a health foundation but we really don't fund healthcare delivery. We're going upstream to look at all those things that affect health," Mims said.

A big change is also coming next year: Dogwood Health Trust is moving to two grant funding cycles, the first of which will open in January, with money being paid out by June and July.

Click here for more information on the application process.

A recording of the annual meeting will be available on the Dogwood Health Trust website HERE within a week.