Collaboration & Innovation Grant

The Collaboration & Innovation grant offered by Dogwood Health Trust is designed to support collaborative efforts in Western North Carolina that address the evolving challenges and opportunities in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Dogwood Health Trust is a regional philanthropic organization committed to creating a Western North Carolina where every generation can thrive. It invests in aligned organizations across four strategic priorities: housing, education, economic opportunity, and health and wellness. This specific grant opportunity stems from Dogwood’s broader 2025-2030 strategic grantmaking plan, which emphasizes capacity, collaboration, connections, and capital attraction. This grant supports both emerging and established collaborations responding to Hurricane Helene’s impact. Applicants must present innovative and community-driven ideas that aim to improve regional health and wellbeing. Priority will be given to initiatives that center the needs of historically disinvested and disconnected communities, develop new models of working together, and catalyze systemic solutions. Collaborative networks, especially those engaging in integrated, cross-sector solutions within Dogwood’s four priority areas, are strongly encouraged to apply. Eligible applicants must be a single "Hub Applicant" that represents the collaborative group. Hub Applicants can be 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charities, fiscal sponsorship organizations, government entities, faith-based organizations, or colleges and universities. This central applicant must coordinate and submit the application on behalf of all involved entities. The funding can be used for a range of initiatives as long as they align with the focus areas and demonstrate strong collaborative planning and execution. Grants range from $50,000 to $500,000 and are expected to be utilized within a 12 to 24-month period. Up to 20 percent of the funds may be used for flexible administrative costs, with at least 80 percent allocated to collaborative project implementation. Applications must be submitted between May 19 and June 27, 2025, through Dogwood’s newly launched Applicant and Grantee Portal. This portal supports the new 2025 grant opportunities, while a separate legacy portal continues to serve grantees from previous funding cycles. Applicants can download application questions in either Word or PDF format from the grant page. While there is no explicit pre-application deadline or Q&A session mentioned, applicants may benefit from Dogwood’s grant writing support services, such as the Leverage Fund and the Grants Help Desk, which provide free consulting for grant development. These services are open through October 1, 2025, and August 31, 2025, respectively. For questions or additional support, applicants are directed to Dogwood Health Trust's main office at 890 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC 28803. No specific email or phone contact is listed for this opportunity.