North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc
The North Carolina Healthcare Foundation (NCHF), based in Raleigh, is the charitable, nonprofit, innovative and programmatic arm of the North Carolina Healthcare Association. It brings healthcare professionals and organizations together to create healthier communities in North Carolina and beyond.
North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc gave $2.2M across 17 grants in 2024 (avg $130K), mostly in North Carolina. 100% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,207,714
- +487.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 17
- +88.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $129,866
- +211.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $9,919,480
- -8.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 100% first-time grantees (17 of 17, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (90% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc
- Review Cycle
- May 1, 2026, for the Stephen J. Lawler Leadership in Healthcare Scholarship.
- Deadline
- May 1, 2026, for the Stephen J.
- Contact
Mailing address: 5440 Wade Park Blvd 410, Raleigh, NC 27607
Phone: (919) 389-6097
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Caronova ($1.7M). Together the top 10 received $2.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
111 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 40 grants of 111 (36%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NCHF’s mission centers on improving the health of North Carolinians, and its website also describes work benefiting North Carolina and beyond. For 2024 grant dollars, the reported recipient-state shares were North Carolina, 90%; South Carolina, 9%; and Georgia, 0%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
Cities
Is North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
100%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 17 of 17 grantees (100%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $130K. How we count
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $150K (2021) to $8.7M (2020). In 2024 it made 17 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Caronova Raleigh, NC | Caronova is an incubator that connects key people and organizations with promising innovations to accelerate necessary change. Our purpose is to align leaders across the carolinas in pursuit of a better system of care | $1,700,000 |
| South Carolina Hospital Association Columbia, SC | Consulting Expenses for Julia Wacker, Advisor to Caronova. | $113,440 |
| Pawss Inc Pembroke, NC | Mini grant payment via nchf social impact program. Addressing transportation as a social driver of health in Robeson county. | $50,000 |
| Robeson Healthcare Corporation Pembroke, NC | Mini grant payment via nchf social impact program. Implement a mobile health center, to eliminate the need for vulnerable patients having to travel to appointments or try to obtain transportation to appointments. | $50,000 |
| Scotland Memorial Foundation Inc Laurinburg, NC | Mini grant payment via nchf social impact program. Address transportation as a social driver of health. Implement three solutions to meet the transportation needs of patients. | $50,000 |
| Southern Carolina Housing Inc Lumberton, NC | Mini grant payment via nchf social impact program. Provide access to healthy food options for vulnerable populations through a mobile grocery store | $50,000 |
| The University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NC | Mini grant payment via nchf social impact program. Build community collaboration around transportation models. | $50,000 |
| University of South Carolina System Columbia, SC | Facilitating the pilot design workgroup for the pee dee school-based behavioral health pilot (for the nchf social impact program). | $39,274 |
| Florence 1 Schools Florence, SC | Participation in a pilot program designed to develop and implement behavioral health services for k-12 students in public schools. Program is called pee-dee school-based behavioral health pilot program. | $25,000 |
| Caromont Regional Medical Center Gastonia, NC | Stipend for participation in caronova ed buprenorphine implementation support for the carolinas program. | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $9,919,480 | $6,547,815 | $8,548,157 | $2,207,714 | 17 | $178,960 |
| 2023 | $10,880,998 | $5,276,696 | $5,297,274 | $375,593 | 9 | $170,358 |
| 2022 | $11,349,506 | $4,901,892 | $3,855,115 | — | — | $108,097 |
| 2021 | $9,829,729 | $5,315,507 | $4,020,749 | $150,000 | 6 | $426,097 |
| 2020 | $11,910,378 | $37,446,892 | $35,828,710 | $8,726,370 | 79 | $-103,343 |
| 2019 | $6,804,352 | $5,873,123 | $5,503,285 | $1,528,681 | 29 | $143,416 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
NCHF’s mission is to foster and accelerate the collective impact of hospitals, health systems and community partners to improve the health of North Carolinians. Its stated priorities include access to care, rural health, workforce, behavioral health and equity of care. Its programs include the Social Impact Program, CaroNova, rural workforce initiatives and programs focused on patient safety and healthcare improvement.
The foundation’s 2024 grants show support for community health projects, transportation solutions, mobile health services, healthy food access, school-based behavioral health and healthcare implementation efforts. Among the grantees, PAWSS Inc describes its mission as improving quality and equity of life and ensuring equal access to resources that support well-being, self-determination and human dignity. Scotland Memorial Foundation says it supports healthcare services within the Scotland Health Care System, community health projects and health education. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not NCHF’s.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, NCHF reported 17 grants totaling $2,207,714. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $1,700,000, with a median of $25,000. The largest reported award was $1,700,000 to CaroNova in Raleigh, for its work connecting people and organizations with promising innovations and aligning leaders across the Carolinas. Other notable awards included $113,440 to the South Carolina Hospital Association for consulting expenses related to CaroNova, and $50,000 each to PAWSS Inc, Robeson Healthcare Corporation, Scotland Memorial Foundation, Southern Carolina Housing and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke through the NCHF Social Impact Program.
NCHF announced a 2025 Social Impact Program funding round for Robeson County, with $300,000 available for projects addressing transportation barriers as a social driver of health. Applications were to be submitted online; the stated deadline was May 16, 2025. The announcement described this as the second allocation of a three-year, $900,000 investment funded by the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust.
A separate currently open opportunity is the annual Stephen J. Lawler Leadership in Healthcare Scholarship. It offers three awards totaling $5,000: one $2,500 award for a student pursuing a healthcare degree or a professional working in healthcare, and two $1,250 awards for graduates of and current enrollees in the NCHF Diverse Leaders Mentorship Program. Eligibility requirements include North Carolina residency or qualifying student status; requirements differ for students and professionals.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s website lists LaPonda Edmondson, DrPH, MHS, as President of the Foundation and Senior Vice President of NCHA. Its board executive committee includes Chair Penney Burlingame Deal, Past Chair Greg Lowe, Treasurer Jeffrey Creagh and Secretary Jessie Tucker III. Website-listed board members include Juan Austin, Chad Brown, Josh Dobson, Susan Kansagra, Adia K. Ross and Jeffrey Simms.
The 2024 filing lists Stephen J. Lawler as President and Josh Dobson as “New Elect President,” along with board members Vanessa Ervin, Chad Brown, Lin B. Hollowell III, Susan Kansagra, Adia K. Ross, Jeffrey Simms, Phyllis Wingate and Juan Austin.
North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc is led by Stephen J. Lawler, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 27 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Stephen J. Lawler
President
On filings since 2019
7.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Greg Lowe
Board Chair
Board Member → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anthony Okunak
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Irene Watts
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jaisabrish Kankarkumar
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Kea
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicholle Karim
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Weegar
Chief Financial Officer
Vice President Finance Policy & CFO → CFO, 2020
CFO → Chief Financial Officer, 2024
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julia Wacker
Senior Vice President
Vice President → Executive Director, 2020
Executive Director → Senior Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2019
35 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lin B. Hollowell III
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Vanessa Ervin
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Phyllis Wingate
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linwood Jones
Former General Counsel
Executive Director → General Counsel, 2022
General Counsel → Former General Counsel, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jody Fleming
Senior Vice President
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Juan Austin
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laponda Edmondson
Vice President
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lynda Stanley
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adia K. Ross Md Mha
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chad Brown
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Doug Heron
Senior Vice President
New on the 2024 filing
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Creagh
Board Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Simms
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Lewis
General Counsel
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jessie L. Tucker
Board Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Josh Dobson
New Elect President
New on the 2024 filing
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Kansagra
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tatyana Kelly
Senior Vice President
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (19)
- Former: Allen Smart (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Chuck Mantooth (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Greg Gombar (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Michael C. Tarwater (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Michael R. Waldrum MD (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Mille Harding (2021–2023) — Senior Vice President
- Former: Cody Hand (2022–2023) — Senior Vice President
- Former: Dean Higgins (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Emily Roland (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Jeffery Weegar (2022–2023) — Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Jill Armbruster (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Joann Anderson (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Shelby Lassiter (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Leslie Peterson (2021) — Vice President of Education
- Former: Cassius Williams (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Leah McCall Devlin DDS (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Paul Cunningham MD (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Blair Childs (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Terry Akin (2019) — Board Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc
How much does North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc give each year?
North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc gave $2.2M across 17 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $376K across 9 grants.
What is North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $129,866, across 17 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc that year got $130K on average.
Where does North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc give grants?
North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc gives mostly in North Carolina: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was South Carolina (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Pembroke, NC (3 grants), Columbia, SC (2 grants) and Spartanburg, SC (2 grants).
Does North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 17 grants with a stated purpose on North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Caronova ($1,700,000), South Carolina Hospital Association ($113,440) and Pawss Inc ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 84% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc?
North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc reported $9.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.5M.
What does North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc fund?
NCHF’s mission is to foster and accelerate the collective impact of hospitals, health systems and community partners to improve the health of North Carolinians. Its stated priorities include access to care, rural health, workforce, behavioral health and equity of care. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc?
North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc's EIN?
North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-0773039. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 28, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 5, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc funds
Health Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/north-carolina-healthcare-foundation-inc-morg_a044cfa4e1b347b4bb5dd802b59455f9
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_560773039_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/north-carolina-healthcare-foundation-inc-morg_a044cfa4e1b347b4bb5dd802b59455f9},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?