NC MedAssist
NC MedAssist is North Carolina's only statewide nonprofit pharmacy, providing free prescription medications to uninsured residents at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level via mail-order, plus free OTC medications through Mobile Free Pharmacy events across all 100 NC counties.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersCharlotte, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What NC MedAssist does
NC MedAssist is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pharmacy organization headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, founded in 1997 (originally as MedAssist of Mecklenburg, expanded statewide under the current name in 2009). It operates as North Carolina's only statewide nonprofit pharmacy, providing free prescription medications to uninsured residents with household incomes at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level through a mail-order model, plus free over-the-counter medications distributed via community events and partner organizations across all 100 NC counties.
The organization's core programs include the Free Pharmacy Program (mail-order prescriptions for chronic conditions including diabetes, heart disease, asthma, hypertension, behavioral health), the Mobile Free Pharmacy (event-based OTC distribution statewide), Project Delivering Hope: WNC (Hurricane Helene relief in 28 Western NC counties), Partners in Hope (provider referral network), and the Transitional Employment Opportunities workforce development initiative. The OTC Free Store, a walk-in Charlotte facility that operated for eight years, was permanently closed in June 2026 as part of a strategic shift to a more equitable statewide access model. In FY2024-2025, NC MedAssist served 91,000+ individuals and families, distributing more than $61 million in prescription and OTC medication value.
The business model is donation and grant-funded rather than revenue-generating: NC MedAssist relies on foundation grants (Leon Levine Foundation $525K, Duke Endowment $475K, Direct Relief $198K, Blue Cross NC $240K, among others), individual and corporate donations, and signature fundraising events. The organization's stated leverage is that every $1 donated provides $16 in prescription medication value, indicating that a meaningful portion of medication supply is sourced through manufacturer patient assistance programs and donated inventory rather than purchased. Distribution occurs via mail-order directly to patient homes (Free Pharmacy) and through a mobile event infrastructure (50+ annual events) plus a partner-based distribution channel for safety-net organizations.
NC MedAssist firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NC MedAssist
- Legal name
- NC MedAssist
- Website
- https://medassist.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- NC MedAssist is North Carolina's only statewide nonprofit pharmacy, providing free prescription medications to uninsured residents at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level via mail-order, plus free OTC medications through Mobile Free Pharmacy events across all 100 NC counties.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where NC MedAssist is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Charlotte
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
NC MedAssist business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Foundation and Government Grants: NC MedAssist receives significant funding from foundations including The Leon Levine Foundation ($525,000 over 3 years), The Duke Endowment ($475,000), Direct Relief Fund for Health Equity ($198,000), Community Foundation of Burke County ($10,000), Merancas Foundation, and government partners. These grants support medication access programs and operational costs.
- Individual and Corporate Donations: The organization accepts charitable donations from individuals and corporations. Donations are tax-deductible under 501(c)(3) status. Planned giving options include wills, estate plans, gifts of stock/securities. Every dollar donated provides $16 in prescription medication value.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Blue Cross NC invested $240,000 as sponsorship supporting Free Pharmacy Program, Mobile Free Pharmacy Program, and community outreach. Cencora serves as presenting sponsor for Executive Luncheon events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free Pharmacy Program - No-cost medications for uninsured NC residents |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
NC MedAssist product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NC MedAssist is a statewide nonprofit pharmacy that provides free prescription medications to uninsured North Carolina residents with household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, and distributes free over-the-counter medicines through mail-order, community Mobile Free Pharmacy events, and partner-based channels. The organization also operates a workforce development program (Transitional Employment Opportunities) and a Hurricane Helene relief initiative (Project Delivering Hope: WNC) for Western NC communities.
Product overview
NC MedAssist operates as North Carolina's only statewide nonprofit pharmacy, offering a portfolio of programs focused on medication access for uninsured and low-income residents. The core offerings include the Free Pharmacy Program (mail-based prescription medications), Mobile Free Pharmacy (event-based OTC distribution), and the Transitional Employment Opportunities workforce development initiative. The organization previously operated an OTC Free Store but transitioned to a statewide access model in June 2025. Additional programs include Project Delivering Hope: WNC for hurricane relief, Partners in Hope for healthcare provider referrals, and signature events like the Conversation forum and Executive Luncheon for community engagement.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Project Delivering Hope: WNC: Hurricane Helene relief initiative providing free prescription medications, over-the-counter relief, and personalized pharmacy services to individuals and families across Western North Carolina
Products and services
- Free Pharmacy Program Statewide program providing free prescription medications to North Carolina residents who are uninsured with a household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. Medications are mailed to enrolled patients at no cost for up to one year.
- Mobile Free Pharmacy Mobile program that brings free over-the-counter medicine directly to communities across North Carolina through scheduled events, providing pain relievers, cold/cough/allergy medicine, digestive aids, vitamins, and children's medications without requiring ID or income eligibility proof.
- Project Delivering Hope: WNC Hurricane Helene relief initiative providing free prescription medications, over-the-counter relief, and personalized pharmacy services to individuals and families across Western North Carolina impacted by the storm.
- Partners in Hope Program connecting healthcare providers to NC MedAssist's Free Pharmacy Program for their uninsured patients. Partners receive enrollment support, medication utilization reports, status updates, and access to OTC resources.
- Transitional Employment Opportunities (TEO) Employment program providing work-based learning opportunities for individuals experiencing long-term unemployment or employment barriers. Includes real-world training with supportive supervision and documented evaluations.
Quantifiable outcome
- 91,000+ patients served and $61 million+ in medications distributed in FY2024-2025
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use NC MedAssist
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
NC MedAssist technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
NC MedAssist partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and flagship.
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolinacore$240,000 investment supporting Free Pharmacy Program, Mobile Free Pharmacy Program, and community outreach efforts statewide. Partnership reflects shared commitment to improving health outcomes and reducing barriers to care. Blue Corps employee volunteer program also supporting organizational efficiency.
- Second Harvest Food Bank of MetrolinasupportingPartner in Hurricane Helene relief efforts, collaborating on distribution of essential supplies to affected communities in Western NC.
- CencoraflagshipGlobal pharmaceutical solutions organization serving as presenting sponsor for NC MedAssist 2025 Executive Luncheon. Partnership supports fundraising and awareness for medication access mission.
- Carolina Complete HealthcoreHealthcare partner delivering OTC medication care packages to partner organizations in Western NC. Collaboration for Project Delivering Hope: WNC hurricane relief initiative.
- NC Association of Free and Charitable ClinicscoreState association representing free and charitable clinics. NC MedAssist is a long-standing member with shared vision of equitable healthcare access regardless of ability to pay.
- Atrium HealthcoreHealthcare system partner collaborating on Mobile Free Pharmacy events across NC counties. Provided presenting sponsorship for 2023 Executive Luncheon. Partnership aims to increase access to prescription and OTC medications statewide.
- Healthcare Provider Partners (Partners in Hope)coreCommunity healthcare providers connecting uninsured patients to Free Pharmacy Program. Benefits include patient enrollment reports, medication utilization reports, status updates, communication access, and OTC program access.
- Cody's CrewsupportingNonprofit organization distributing Bags of Hope (essential hygiene items, medicines, snacks) to individuals experiencing homelessness. NC MedAssist provided OTC health supplies for Asheville outreach project.
- Mecklenburg County Health DepartmentsupportingLocal government health partner providing funding support as part of NC MedAssist's foundation and government partner network.
- Novant HealthsupportingHealthcare system partner providing funding support as part of NC MedAssist's network of foundations and government partners.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
NC MedAssist competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Direct Relief: Global humanitarian aid organization providing free medications and medical supplies to underserved populations. Direct Relief is a major funder of NC MedAssist and operates a similar medication distribution model at much larger scale.
- Dispensary of Hope: National nonprofit pharmacy that collects and distributes surplus medications to uninsured low-income patients through partner clinics. Operates a directly analogous medication access model with a national network.
- Rx Outreach: National nonprofit mail-order pharmacy providing affordable medications to uninsured and underinsured individuals. Closely comparable business model with mail-order dispensing and income-based eligibility.
- Patient Access Network Foundation: National 501(c)(3) providing financial assistance for out-of-pocket medication costs. Similar nonprofit pharmacy assistance model serving chronic disease patients nationwide.
- HealthWell Foundation: Independent nonprofit providing financial assistance for prescription drug copayments and premiums. Comparable mission of removing medication cost barriers for underinsured patients.
- NeedyMeds: National nonprofit information resource and medication assistance program helping patients access free or low-cost medications. Overlaps with NC MedAssist's patient navigation and prescription assistance mission.
Broad incumbents
- Americares: Large global health-focused nonprofit providing medications and supplies to safety-net providers. Comparable mission of medication access for vulnerable populations with broader international reach.
- GoodRx: Public company providing medication price transparency and discount programs. Addresses similar prescription affordability pain points for low-income patients but through a commercial for-profit model.
Emerging players
- SIRUM: Nonprofit tech-driven medication redistribution platform connecting surplus medications from manufacturers to safety-net clinics. Tackles the same pharmaceutical access problem through a different technology-enabled model.
Others
- Community Health Charities: Federation of health-focused nonprofit organizations raising workplace giving funds. Adjacent nonprofit health sector player relevant for partnership and fundraising benchmarking.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
NC MedAssist social profiles
Digital presenceNC MedAssist financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NC MedAssist leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
NC MedAssist funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
NC MedAssist M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about NC MedAssist
What does NC MedAssist do?
NC MedAssist is a statewide nonprofit pharmacy that provides free prescription medications to uninsured North Carolina residents with household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, and distributes free over-the-counter medicines through mail-order, community Mobile Free Pharmacy events, and partner-based channels. The organization also operates a workforce development program (Transitional Employment Opportunities) and a Hurricane Helene relief initiative (Project Delivering Hope: WNC) for Western NC communities.
Is NC MedAssist a public or private company?
NC MedAssist is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was NC MedAssist founded?
NC MedAssist was founded in 1997. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is NC MedAssist based?
NC MedAssist is headquartered in Charlotte, United States, in the North America region.
How does NC MedAssist make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Foundation and Government Grants are the primary driver. The others are individual and Corporate Donations and corporate Sponsorships.
Who are NC MedAssist's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Direct Relief, Dispensary of Hope, Rx Outreach, Patient Access Network Foundation, HealthWell Foundation and NeedyMeds. Broad incumbents are Americares and GoodRx. SIRUM is listed as an emerging player. Community Health Charities is listed as an others.
Does NC MedAssist have an API?
No public API is recorded for NC MedAssist.