The North Carolina Community Foundation has awarded $575,000 in grants across eastern North Carolina from the Louise Oriole Burevitch Endowment. 

This is the eighth annual application-based cycle from the endowment, which supports nonprofit programs focusing on education, health, and human services in 41 eastern North Carolina counties. 

The 14 grants range from nearly $13,000 to $50,000. This year, the endowment awarded:  

• $15,000 to Brunswick County Computers 4 Kids for operations and new project funding. Founded in 2006, Brunswick County Computers 4 Kids reconditions donated computers and provides them to Brunswick County students and families. 

• $50,000 to Casa Azul De Wilson for education equity for Latinx youth in eastern NC. Casa Azul serves over 18 counties though their education equity program with bilingual college advising, mentorship and postsecondary support for Latinx youth, building community and making generational impact. 

• $38,627 to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh for Nourishing our Neighbors. Nourishing our Neighbors aims to alleviate the effects of food insecurity in underserved urban, rural and remote communities in the Cape Fear region.  

• $39,000 to Center for Family Violence Prevention for direct services to domestic violence survivors. Based in Greenville, C4FVP serves domestic violence survivors in Pitt, Martin and Washington counties through crisis intervention and education. 

• $40,000 to Communities in Schools of Robeson County for CIS: Colleges Inspire Students. CIS of Robeson County aims to increase the number of college-bound youth by helping families and students complete federal student aid forms through community-based workshops, training and information sessions.  

• $12,873 to Crystal Coast Cancer Rehab Center for cancer rehab equipment and technology expansion. Crystal Coast Cancer Rehab Center aims to improve the quality of life for cancer patients and survivors through specialized exercise and activity, regardless of their ability to pay.  

• $50,000 to Diversity Nurtures Achievement Community Youth Center for Surviving to Thrive @ DNA. Based in Warsaw, DNA Community Youth Center provides afterschool, structured learning and summer enrichment programs for youth. This grant will support mobile learning classroom facilities, STEAM education and mental health training.  

• $50,000 to Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries for crisis services including addressing food insecurity, safety, assistance with utilities and other daily essential services. Founded in 2005, Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries serves people in crisis in Duplin County through direct assistance and referrals.  

• $50,000 to The Foundation for Farmworkers for emergency assistance for basic needs of farmworker families served by East Coast Migrant Head Start Program. An all-volunteer organization, The Foundation for Farmworkers provides financial support to migrant families to recover from financial distress, be free from the fear of family separation, and pursue their educational goals. 

• $50,000 to Going Beyond the Pink for Pink Squad, a health literacy and survivorship support group for women with breast cancer. Based in Wilmington, Going Beyond the Pink’s mission is to empower breast cancer patients and survivors with knowledge and support so they can thrive through treatment into survivorship. 

• $35,000 to the NC Center for Nonprofits for the Association Health Plan for NC Nonprofits. The NC Center’s Association Health Plan offers support and stability for nonprofit organizations that may otherwise experience challenges providing and navigating health insurance benefits for employees. 

• $50,000 to NourishNC for operating support. NourishNC mobilizes volunteers and resources to provide supplemental food assistance to the one in six children in New Hanover County who struggle with hunger. 

• $50,000 to Wayne Initiative for School Health for general operating support. WISH operates seven health centers to ensure youth in Wayne County receive quality health care, supporting physical well-being and academic success.  

• $44,500 to Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry, Inc., for safe homes for rural communities. WARM NC serves low-income homeowners in Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, New Hanover, Onslow and Pender counties.  

“Casa Azul de Wilson has impacted the lives of hundreds of students across NC, but the true impact of our work, measured in generational change, is unquantifiable,” said Flor Herrera-Picasso, executive director and co-founder of Casa Azul de Wilson. “These young Latinos will become professionals and leaders in their community, lifting their entire families with them. Casa Azul is preparing and building infrastructure for the future of North Carolina.”

Herrera-Picasso, pictured with sister and co-founder Iza Herrera, said they founded the organization to provide the resources they needed while growing up in Wilson. The sisters think of Casa Azul de Wilson as a love letter to the Latino community of eastern NC.  

The Louise Oriole Burevitch Endowment was established at the North Carolina Community Foundation in 2015. Grants are made annually to nonprofits designated by Burevitch in her lifetime and through a competitive grants program. In total, the Burevitch endowment has awarded more than $10 million. 

“Mrs. B,” as Burevitch was known to her friends, was a Wilmington native whose generosity was well-known in southeastern North Carolina and beyond. Burevitch passed away in September 2014, leaving behind a fortune that few knew she possessed. Her charitable giving was motivated by her generous nature and concern for the welfare of people and animals. Learn more about her philanthropy. 

“Louise Oriole Burevitch exemplifies how generosity can create a lasting impact,” said Jennifer Tolle Whiteside, President and CEO of the North Carolina Community Foundation. “We’re proud to support these organizations advancing causes in a region that meant so much to her and continuing her legacy of care and commitment.” 

About the North Carolina Community Foundation 
The North Carolina Community Foundation transforms the collective generosity of our donors into a permanent source of community support, with a focus on the state’s rural areas.   

NCCF partners with donors and a network of affiliates to sustain over 1,300 endowments totaling nearly $570 million in assets. More than $338 million has been awarded as grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students, creating stronger communities for generations to come.   

To learn more about how we turn generosity into impact, visit nccommunityfoundation.org.