April 17 — Nantahala Health Foundation is excited to announce that its 2026 grantmaking cycle is open and will once again focus on improving health and well-being for our region’s most vulnerable young people.
Information about this grant application is available on their website. Applications for up to $50,000 in funding to support youth and young adults will be accepted through June 4, according to Lori Bailey, executive director of Nantahala Health Foundation.
“Far too many young people in Western North Carolina face challenges that significantly impact their future health outcomes,” said Bailey. “Poverty, lack of access to healthcare, limited educational opportunities, economic instability, and disengaged communities create roadblocks that prevent these youth from realizing their full potential.”
By choosing to address the challenges many young people face, NHF’s Board of Directors is looking forward to a future that includes more thriving youth, said Board Chair Roger Plemens.
“Our grant investments are designed to support children who are growing up in environments with limited opportunities, mostly due to high poverty rates,” he said. “Their families and caregivers are likely struggling to meet basic needs.
“Early support plays an important role in helping young people succeed,” said Plemens. “Through these grants, we hope to encourage programs that offer stability, opportunity, and care to youth where it’s most needed.”
Organizations with aligned interests are invited to apply for up to $50,000 to fund their solutions to the issues facing at-risk youth, Bailey said.
“When youth receive the appropriate support, their outcomes are transformative. Access to nutritious food, healthcare, and mental health services, just to name a few avenues of support, results in healthier, more resilient young people,” she said.
The Foundation is looking to partner with faith-based, nonprofit and governmental agencies with a proven track record of providing these types of services, as well as those working to bolster educational opportunities — including early childhood programs, after-school support, and initiatives for college or career readiness – and economic stability, including job training, financial literacy education, and employment opportunities. Community engagement programs, mentorship, and leadership initiatives to help young people feel connected, valued, and empowered to give back will also be considered, said Bailey.