Operation Pretty Things (OPT) is dedicated to loving and empowering victims of domestic violence, and sexual assault
We are an on-call resource to shelters and victims of abuse by meeting their immediate needs, as well as offering life-impacting gifts, services, and support.
OPT’s Care 4 Program offers victims of abuse and assault access to services, clothing, and resources in order to encourage confidence and dignity as they face their abusers in court
The Lockerbox Initiative partners with middle schools, providing selfcare essentials, as well as awareness and resource information to help students identify signs abuse before they get caught in the cycle
Monday, Sept. 14th
Jo Ann Car ter Harrelson Center
E-NEWS Community
Our spectacular annual black tie gala is sponsored by Woodmen Life Insurance, White Birch Rentals & Perry’s Emporium.
Enjoy a cocktail hour, dinner, silent and live auctions, music and dancing, and special presentations!
Together we will celebrate all that has been accomplished so far, and share how we can continue to actively pursue the fight against abuse. GetTicketsToday!
August 2026 presented by
Join OPT for their 10th Anniversary ONE Gala on Sept. 25 in Plaza on Princess
Put your business on the leaderboard!
Looking for a high-impact way to entertain clients & nonprofits? Eagle & Birdie Sponsorships are still a 10 Annual Captain’s Choice Tournament, but they w th
See page 2 for our current Sponsor Board & registration details! 8:30 Registration | 10:00 Shotgun Start
Teeing Off: Driving Lasting Change Since 2017
This month we’re kicking off a #ThrowbackThursday social media series with photos from our inaugural 2017 tournament to celebrate our 10 year of collaborative fundraising! th
On Monday,September 14, we’re continuing the legacy at Magnolia Greens with Teeing Off with HC & Partners It’s a fantastic day with smooth play, run raffles, and even better community impact
As you look at our Sponsor Board below, we have a few crucial spots open to round out this year’s roster:
Eagle Sponsor ($3,000):2 foursomes
Birdie Sponsor ($1,500): 1 foursome
Individual Golfers:Sign up by 8/14 for $150 rate As of 8/15, rate increases to $200
Be part of the story this year.Click the button to claim your spot on the board.
presented by
Looking back at Year 1!
The heart, the hustle & the start of something big! Follow
Recruit new volunteers & easily coordinate the ones you already have Greater community visibilty
Volunteers are your best ambassadors & often become sustaining donors
Sign up to onboard your organization!
Volunteers: Find your cause!
Search local opportunities by cause, interest & availability.
Connect online with organizations that need you
Volunteer together with work teams, faith groups, and friends.
See your impact on your volunteer dashboard
Set up your profile at www.ilmvolunteerhub.org
Agencies & Counting!
Volunteers are set up & eager to connect!
Events
&
Needs
are ready to be filled
Campus Tours
August 4 & 20 September 1 & 17
Volunteer Leadership Lab will be at HC from 11am-3pm on tour days for ILM Volunteer Hub Q&A.
The Latest on The Undercurrent
Stay informed about the nonprofit sector by reading or listening to The Undercurrent.
Compassion is a value.
Mental Health First Aid is an actionable skill
In our latest piece on The Undercurrent, Keri Hill of Veterans Services of the Carolinas unpacks why Mental Health First Aid training is essential for creating a trauma-informed community
Read or listen to the full commentary here.
Keri Hill be back on campus Monday, Sept. 28 from 2:00-4:00 offering QPR Training (Question. Persuade. Refer.)
Help Hub
We are an accessible, trusted place for financial, housing, and health concerns and have advisors and systems for support.
Help Hub welcomed 910 local residents in the second quarter of 2026! Read the full quarter report here.
Over the past four years Help Hub has supported 700+ NHC residents in sober living, providing rental aid, resource and healthcare navigation, bus passes, and job referrals to ensure stability and recovery.
We are excited to announce that Help Hub has been awarded a $50k grant from the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board!
With this new funding, we will continue to empower our friends living in recovery by providing funds toward housing and basic needs We will come alongside them and partner organizations to bolster confidence and hope for the journey.
Healthcare Navigation
330 clients have accessed healthcare resources through our Healthcare Navigator in Help Hub so far in 2026!
Care Hub phase 1 referrals for food & utilities support are successfully wrapping up See CCLCF on page 9 for more.
Housing Navigation
HC’s Housing Navigation works to keep residents housed and has kept 90% of our clients housed in the first year of the case management program.
County profiles are published annually by the NC Housing Coalition These profiles include pertinent data about housing costs, eviction rates, and wages needed to afford housing in each county
NHC housing trends are troubling and the overwhelming need is beyond our capacity; however, we had positive outcomes for 70 households in our first year.
NC General Assembly has placed several state constitutional amendments on the Nov 2026 ballot, including one that would lower the cap on state income tax rates from 7% to 3.5%.This amendment would limit state revenue options
The FY2025-2027 state budget that was just approved includes $659 million in funding for ~490 nonprofits. Reducing state revenue from income taxes by 50% could be harmful to nonprofits. Nonprofits can advocate for or against constitutional amendments - see NC Center for Nonprofits blog post.
Stay updated with NC Center for Nonprofits’ Friday policy updates by signing up here.
September 28 2:00-4:00pm Plaza on Princess
Well wishes to our beloved Aaron!
For 7 years, Aaron Schnurbush has been that most-essential staff member, the fiber that ties together all aspects of our operations.
Aaron is moving on to spend more time with family & to continue leading 2Share, an all volunteer furniture bank that turns donated furnishings into a sense of home for local families.
To describe what Aaron is to the HC and our staff is to acknowledge that he will be so very hard to replace We all wish him the best: our staff, visitors, community workers, partners and everyone who has had the pleasure to encounter our Aaron
From Boardroom to Ballroom...
Whether you’re a nonprofit planning a 300-person gala, a small team hosting an intimate board training, or a corporate partner like GE Hitachi organizing a community-driven event such as their annual Girls in Tech Summit Plaza on Princess is your premier destination. Our versatile floor plan scales to meet your mission, no matter the size
to Command Center
Many lessons were learned after Hurricanes Florence & Helene.The New Hanover Disaster Coalition (NHDC) used these lessons to make plans to convert Plaza on Princess into the first nonprofit & faith based Command Center in NC.
Earlier this summer, NHDC brought together 25 human service organizations, along with the County & City’s emergency response personnel for a disaster simulation to “stress test the system” during bluesky days
Plaza on Princess was converted to the Command Center & we anticipated needs, identified barriers, and planned for response & recovery.
Girls in Tech 2026 is it’s 5 year in Plaza! th
NHDC Command Center Video in the making!
OPT One Gala is back in Plaza on 9/25/26
news partner
Cape Fear Housing Coalition
Not a member? Join now! View flyer or learn more on our website!
Community Justice Center
CJC supports victims of interpersonal violence through efficient collaboration of nonprofits, law enforcement & DA’s Office
CJC continues to evolve with multidisciplinary teams addressing interpersonal & youth violence prevention. An example of an important collaboration between criminal & civil aspects of a survivors safety is CJC and LANC working together to ensure that a victim who wants represention in protective order hearings receives an attorney
Crucial nonprofit partnerships with Domestic Violence Shelter and Services, Rape Crisis, Novant, Carousel Center & KeepYour Hands Off Me provide timely wrap-around services for procedures & people.
Coastal BUDS
Vendor Registration
Community Care LCF
CCLCF is honored to have received additional grant funding from The Endowment to support the continued development of our Social Care Network’s Care Hub in NHC.
This investment will help strengthen connections between health care providers and local organizations, making it easier for more people to access the resources they need to live healthier lives.We are grateful to The Endowment and to our partners who share our commitment to building a more connected system of care together.
Feast Down East
Duke Energy Foundation awarded FDE a $25,000 grant to support our Senior Mobile Market Voucher Program!
This investment means more seniors across SENC will have access to fresh, local food each week while easing the financial burden many face when grocery shopping.
We believe everyone deserves access to healthy food.We are thankful for partners like the Duke Energy Foundation who share that vision & are helping us make a meaningful difference in our community. Email to join:
Get your locally grown food at our Mobile Market! View schedule
August 2
Volunteers & School Supplies Needed!
Shift Options available from 1:00-4:30pm
Volunteer | Shop theWishlist
Click to see how your support allowed us to show up for the foster community!
Foster Pantry
GHA Autism Supports Legal Aid of NC (LANC)
GHA Wilmington is living our best life this summer! Community outings like these provide opportunities for fun, connection & new experiences while enjoying all that our beautiful NC coast has to offer.
We recently went to Independence Mall to see the aquarium exhibit.
LINC
LINC’s Local Reentry Council is looking for donations of art supplies: colored pencils, markers, acrylic or tempera paint, and small canvases. Shop our Amazon Wishlist
A new chapter for Legal Aid of North Carolina in Wilmington.
We're thrilled to see construction underway on our future home at the Harrelson Center
This space is being designed to support both confidential client services and meaningful collaboration among our staff as we work to expand access to justice in our community.
Thank you to McKinley Building Corp , Bruce Bowman of BMH Architects, and The Harrelson Center for your partnership & commitment to the nonprofit community and us
We can't wait to welcome clients & partners!
Philippians 3 Ministries
Soaring As Eagles
2026 Pre-K Jumpstart little chefs finishing up their lessons of gardening with a healthy meal prep with their chef hats & aprons
The Kairos Center
The Salvation Army
It gives us great pleasure to be able to share that The Salvation Army Center of Hope has been able to move 24 residents out of the shelter and house 8 families.We are truly thankful to all the partnerships that have played their role in achieving these outcomes and can’t wait to increase the number of lives we are able to assist on their journey.
We have daily volunteer openings for our evening meal services from 4:45-6:30pm.To serve our residents and community please call 910-762-2070 Ext. 66560.
Our Food Pantry is open on the 2 floor of HC Tuesdays & Thursdays 9-11:30 nd
Financial Assistance is at 223 S. 3 St., Tuesday-Thursday, 1:00-3:00pm rd
Catholic Charities
A Bike for Every Child
Bike donations can be dropped at the HC in
parking deck, M-F 8:30-3:00.
Cape Fear Latinos
Get ready for a day of culture, music, dance, food & community!
Help make an impact. Filling empty cupboards
Cleaning dirty clothes. Rebuilding a home after disaster. These are vital steps Catholic Charities takes to serve our neighbors in need
Join us for the Rise & Dine fundraising breakfast to support & celebrate the CF Region as we provide help & create hope in our communities. Plaza on Princess
Come celebrate with us as we bring together the vibrant traditions of Latin America right here in Wilmington!
A heartfelt thank you to WIN for believing our mission & investing in the women we support!
WIN’s generous grant allows us to bridge the digital divide by providing computers, technology, and digital skills training that open doors to education, employment, recovery, and long-term independence.These resources are giving survivors the tools they need as they grow in confidence, build new skills, and become more empowered each day.
We celebrated an exciting milestone by hosting our very first digital literacy class using our own Community Center laptops! Every new skill learned is another step toward confidence, opportunity, and independence.
Cape Fear Collective
State of Nonprofits is now in the analysis & data pairing stage 7 themes that came up repeatedly by the nonprofit sectorNonprofits are:
1 Forced to React - Living grant to grant makes it hard to keep staff & to plan or invest for the long term
2 Caught in the Middle - Nonprofits are taking on work that government used to do without the funding to pay for it
3 Stuck in Crisis Mode - The strain shows up as burnout, staff turnover & more demand than they can meet
4 Hard to Coordinate - The sector needs shared tools & systems to work together well
5 Asked to Prove Impact - Funders want to see the impact of their grants But they do not always fund the groups to track & measure it
6 A Sector That Wants to Be Counted - The sector wants its value to the economy & the community to be seen & counted
7 Funders Want Better Tools, Too - Funders want tools that show where steady, long-term funding would do the most good
CF Guardian Ad Litem Assoc.
Cape Fear HealthNet
CFHN’S Executive Director has been appointed to the Rural HealthTransformation Region 5 ROOTS Hub Advisory Board
ROOTS is a statewide initiative focused on collaboration among partner networks to improve health outcomes with better access to care and build long-term capacity.
The Advisory Board will help strategize what initiatives will be implemented and how.
CFHN continues to advocate for and provide primary and speciality care for our uninsured and underinsured residents.
Caridad
Our program includes: Regular Check-Ins Hands-On Help Appointment Assistance
Church World Service Child Development Center
CWS & Cape Fear Community College wrapping up their summer English Practice Potlucks early this month Thank you to all who have made our gatherings successful!
Stay tuned for more updates in September’s HC Community E-news!
Under the Sea summer camp went swimmingly! Open House Thursday, August 27 5:30–7:00 p.m.
Enrollment packets are ready for returning & newly enrolled students (ages 2-5) are available!
If you have questions about enrollment or CDC's program, contact Heather Ratliff at hratliff@cdcwilmington.org.
Communities in Schools
Eden Village
Eden Village is looking for a few trusty men to join our Home Teams! This isn’t just another volunteer gig; it’s an opportunity to build meaningful friendships and serve as a support network for our residents.
Whether it’s grabbing a coffee, watching a game, or sharing life’s everyday moments, your presence offers the connection & encouragement every neighbor deserves.
Visit our website or email Julia to make a connection.
Financial Protection Law Center
FPLC provides protection & legal representation for low-income NC residents to help them preserve home ownership, build equity & prosper.
Clients are not generally served by traditional lenders & face higher interest rates and less favorable terms. Because of the lack of fair options available, they also become victims of unfair and predatory practices. We provide legal services and support to protect lowincome clients from unfair and predatory financial practices, allowing them to stay in their own homes.
Wishlist
Habitat for Humanity IndependentWorks
Immigrant Allies Forum
Starting in August, IAF will be presenting a threepart lecture series on immigration topics. Our hope is to continue to educate our community about how immigrants come to the US and about the unjust policies that have sought to harm them.
Mark your calendars for the evenings of: August 27: Immigration History in the US September 24: Immigration Pathways and Policies October 22: Immigration on a Global Scale
Follow IAF on Facebook or sign up for our Newsletter for more details
Rescue Mission of CF
If you are doing a summer clean-out, consider taking your stuff to the Rescue Mission Thrift Store on Castle & Fifth streets downtown.
Zoom Link Meeting ID: 883 7775 2679 Passcode: 710605
NAMI Wilmington
Register here
Family support groups, Peer Run support groups, Senior Mental Health Talks and more are hosted regularly. See dates and times at namiwilmington.org/calendar.
Smart Start of NHC
To become a Sponsor or Vendor, contact: jennifer.gallo@newhanoverkids.org, 910.815.3731
United Way CF Area
Event Highlights:
Since the Community Chest was established in the 1940s, our organization has been supported by the kindness & generosity of those who would give the time, talent & treasure.
StepUp Starter Session: Free workshop is open to any 14-18yo looking to build confidence, discover their strengths, and start preparing for their future
August 11, 3:30-5:30pm
DREAMS - 901 Fanning St
Space is limited - Register Here
Yoga Village
Serving our community starts with showing up Throughout the summer, our team helps provide healthy meals to children when school is out, helping families and ensuring young people have the nourishment they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
We're grateful for leaders who lead by example and for the staff, volunteers, and partners who make this work possible every day. Together, we're strengthening our community, one meal at a time.
Anthony’s Way
Our 4 Annual Ride for Kindness is Oct. 24! th
Come out for a day of: Dice Rolling Raffles Prizes
Fun for all ages Celebration of Kindness!
Every day, we meet new families who are seeking support & resources for their ADHD journey.
We are honored & grateful to announce that 20+ families have been awarded grants to help access support, tools & services they need to better support their kids & teens with ADHD Over 100 families have been connected with trusted experts.
Thank you to everyone who helps us ensure no family feels alone as they navigate the challenges & celebrate the strengths that come with ADHD.
TIMEFORA
resiliency resiliency
pause pause
Who or what uplifts you?
Who or what gives you strength?
Who or what helps you get through hard times?
Notice how you feel when thinking about your answers
300 Snack Bags!
Hope Community Kids, Pine Valley Baptist Help Hub Volunteer Nancy Cannon, the Platto family - your thoughtfulness in providing over 280 snack bags for our visitors has already brought joy to dozens of people coming in the Welcome Center & Help Hub Thank you for providing this nourishment for our neighbors.
Sign up to bring in preassembled snack bags (great service project for your group!) or the bring the supplies by and our volunteers will assemble the bags.
e p t . 1 4
S
Join us at Magnolia Greens for golf and a ladies’ division— supporting 40+ HC nonprofits!
N o v . 1 9
Thankful Hearts Day is a day of celebration & gratitude, welcoming in the spirit of the season.
A p r 2 2
A day of outdoor activities, food & live music on 850 acres, 20 minutes from downtown ILM.
The Harrelson Center advances, connects & empowers an integrated humanitarian nonprofit community.
