The Duke Endowment’s Partnership with Novant Health Foundation: Transforming Healthcare Through Strategic Grants

Home / The Duke Endowment’s Partnership with Novant Health Foundation: Transforming Healthcare Through Strategic Grants

Grants are more than just funding. They can also be catalysts for systemic change. Thanks to visionary philanthropic partners like The Duke Endowment, Novant Health and our partners are transforming lives across the Carolinas together.

At Novant Health Foundation, our grants team works tirelessly to discover opportunities, secure resources and implement programs that have a profound impact on our communities. At any given time, the team is juggling more than 100 grants, including several grants from The Duke Endowment, which span a myriad of interests, including maternal and infant health, behavioral health and healthcare workforce development. 

Local Impact, Lasting Change: Transforming Mental Health in Brunswick County

The Duke Endowment, established by philanthropist James B. Duke has been a cornerstone of health and social impact across North Carolina and South Carolina over the last 100 years. For more than 10 years, The Duke Endowment has awarded Novant Health Foundation a number of impactful grants, including two recent grants to support schools in Brunswick County. This funding has enabled the Novant Health team to build a groundbreaking mental health support program that tackles some of the most pressing healthcare challenges.

Recognizing the urgent need for accessible mental health services in rural communities, Novant Health Foundation collaborated with The Duke Endowment to launch an innovative telehealth initiative. Initially funded by a $400,000 grant in June 2021, the program aimed to address critical gaps in mental healthcare and alleviate the strain on local emergency departments by connecting students facing mental health crises directly with clinical social workers through virtual platforms.

Since its implementation, the initiative has significantly reduced the need for emergency department visits and shortened response times, ensuring students receive immediate, compassionate care without missing valuable school hours. 

“We’re bringing the emergency department to your school. This helps build trust—not just with students but with their families too. It’s a one-stop shop, guiding you in the right direction. Families avoid thousands of dollars in hospital bills because our grant-supported services are provided at no cost.” – Denise West, licensed clinical mental health counselor and Novant Health school-based tele-behavioral health grant project coordinator

In 2024, following the incredible success of the original grant and its impact on students, teachers, school staff and clinicians, The Duke Endowment awarded $280,000 to expand the program. This additional grant has enabled the extension of vital services, including case management and short-term bridge therapy, through June 2026. This second round of funding, and rare vote of confidence from The Duke Endowment, underscores both the necessity and effectiveness of the initial program.

West emphasized the importance of The Duke Endowment’s support, “One of our executives was approached by a mother in tears, sharing how our program not only supported her child but literally saved her marriage,” West said. “Their family was on the verge of divorce because of the strain from their child’s mental health challenges. Our tailored support changed everything, connecting them to the right resources and providers, making them feel heard and cared for. It completely transformed their family’s life.”

The Power of Partnership

In the 12 years that Randy Brantley, grants director at Novant Health Foundation has been with the grants team, he has developed the team into the effective, results-focused group it is now. The process of applying for, securing and managing grants requires meticulous preparation, strong relationship-building and continuous oversight to ensure the successful implementation of each initiative. 

Novant Health Foundation’s grants team does more than simply submit applications. Team members collaborate closely with clinical partners, monitor spending and outcomes, manage ongoing reporting and ensure transparency. This dedication ensures maximum responsiveness and impact, empowering clinical teams to focus fully on patient care.

“This project is a true example of collaboration across teams. While grant funding like that from The Duke Endowment has been essential in launching services, ongoing success depends on continued coordination between our grants and philanthropy teams to sustain critical roles like the therapist and project manager.” – Brittney Coleman, grants manager at Novant Health Foundation

Looking ahead, Novant Health Foundation remains deeply grateful to The Duke Endowment not only for its generous support, but also for its visionary commitment to sustainable change. The Endowment’s recent announcement of its intent to invest up to $5 billion over the next 15 years to organizations across the Carolinas exemplifies its dedication to systemic improvement and sets the stage for future transformative collaborations.

The team at Novant Health Foundation understands that sustainable change requires collective effort. Grants from partners such as The Duke Endowment provide pivotal startup funding, while ongoing generosity from individual donors brings the full vision to life. Each contribution by our philanthropic partners amplifies the impact of this transformative work, ensuring communities receive the care and resources they deserve in order to thrive.

“We’re deeply grateful to The Duke Endowment. None of this work would be possible without their catalytic investment. Their support is a powerful piece of the puzzle, and it’s the continued commitment of individual donors that helps us sustain the momentum and ensure these life-changing initiatives thrive for years to come.” – Randy Brantley, grants director at Novant Health Foundation

Together, through the connective work of our grants team and strategic philanthropy with committed partnerships, we’re not just changing lives—we’re creating lasting solutions and brighter futures for communities throughout the Carolinas.