Pisgah Health Foundation

What Pisgah Health Foundation does

Pisgah Health Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation founded in 2019 and headquartered in Brevard, North Carolina. It operates as a regional philanthropic backbone organization for Western North Carolina, serving nonprofit organizations and residents across Transylvania, Haywood, and Madison counties through grantmaking, program-related investments, fiscal sponsorship, and capacity-building programming. Its mission centers on the social determinants of health, including affordable housing, food access, education, economic opportunity, healthcare access, and social connection, with a stated focus on communities still navigating the long-term effects of COVID and Hurricane Helene.

The foundation's product portfolio comprises a Community Health Grant Cycle (up to $25,000 per organization, $250,000 available in 2026), a women's giving circle called PowHer Give with tiered individual membership levels, the FWRD Transylvania long-term disaster recovery program operated under fiscal sponsorship, and Program-Related Investments exemplified by a $1 million low-interest community impact loan to Housing Assistance Corporation for the Cashiers Valley Road affordable housing development. Capacity-building offerings include Grant Mastery Training, Board Governance Training, Retirement Plans workshops for small nonprofits, and Educator Retreats. PHF also operates a Resource Hub linking regional funders and community health data, and convenes 30+ organizations and 50+ nonprofit leaders annually.

Revenue mechanics are those of a traditional grantmaking foundation: PHF receives charitable contributions and institutional funding from partners including Dogwood Health Trust, the North Carolina Community Foundation, the American Red Cross, the City of Brevard, and Transylvania County, then disburses capital via competitive grant cycles and PRIs. The organization is governed by an 11-member board of directors, led by Executive Director Cara Bradshaw (appointed August 2025) and Operations Administrator Julie Heinitsh, and is in the process of transitioning its office footprint from The Trust Center to a Keeley House conference room as its lease ends June 30, 2026.

Name

Pisgah Health Foundation

Legal name

Pisgah Health Foundation

Website

https://pisgahhealthfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pisgah Health Foundation is a Brevard, NC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that strengthens the nonprofit ecosystem across Transylvania, Haywood, and Madison counties through grants, program-related investments, capacity-building programs, and disaster recovery fiscal sponsorship.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Brevard

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Grants and Program-Related Investments: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation, Pisgah Health Foundation generates revenue through charitable donations and allocates capital via grants to nonprofit organizations and program-related investments (PRIs) in affordable housing and community infrastructure. The foundation's 2025 Impact Report shows over $560,000 in nursing and healthcare endowments allocated to WNC Bridge Foundation and $165,000 in direct grants distributed to 12 nonprofits.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pisgah Health Foundation is a 501(c)(3) community health foundation that invests in Western North Carolina nonprofits through annual grant cycles (up to $25,000 per organization), program-related investments including low-interest community impact loans for affordable housing, fiscal sponsorship for regional recovery initiatives, and capacity-building programming such as governance training, grant mastery workshops, and educator retreats. The foundation serves as a regional backbone organization for nonprofits operating across Transylvania, Haywood, and Madison counties.

Product overview

Pisgah Health Foundation is a regional nonprofit philanthropic organization operating a portfolio of interconnected programs focused on community health in Western North Carolina. The core offering is its Community Health Grant Cycle, which distributes funding to nonprofits addressing social determinants of health. Supporting programs include PowHer Give (women's giving circle), FWRD Transylvania disaster recovery (fiscal sponsorship), and capacity-building initiatives (Grant Mastery Training, Board Governance Training, Retirement Plans workshops, Educator Retreats). Program-Related Investments in affordable housing complement traditional grantmaking. The foundation also operates The Trust Center as a convening space for nonprofit partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PowHer Give: A Women's Giving Circle for Community Impact that brings women together to pool resources, learn about community needs, and fund local solutions collectively. Part of the PowHer Women's Networking Collaborative.

Products and services

• Community Health Grant Cycle Annual competitive grantmaking program funding nonprofit organizations addressing social determinants of health in Transylvania, Haywood, and Madison counties, with maximum requests of $25,000 per organization.
• PowHer Give Women's giving circle that pools member contributions at Spark ($100-$249), Rise ($250-$999), Thrive ($1,000-$2,499), and Catalyze ($2,500+) tiers to collectively fund local community solutions in Western North Carolina.
• FWRD Transylvania Fiscal Sponsorship Fiscal sponsorship and coordinated long-term disaster recovery program providing disaster case management, volunteer coordination, community engagement, and economic recovery for the Western North Carolina region following Hurricane Helene.
• Grant Mastery Training Two-day mini conference covering the complete grant lifecycle including writing, proposal development, budget stewardship, outcome measurement, and ethics, delivered by trainers with over 55 years of combined experience.
• Board Governance Training Workshop for nonprofit board chairs and executive directors covering board-ED role boundaries, fiduciary responsibilities, and governance best practices, facilitated with WNC Nonprofit Pathways.
• Cashiers Valley Road Affordable Housing Initiative Program-related investment initiative partnering with Housing Assistance Corporation to develop 14+ new affordable homes on 7.1 acres in Brevard, NC, supported by a $1 million low-interest community impact loan from PHF and a $2 million total infrastructure investment.
• Retirement Plans for Small Nonprofits Workshop Workshop covering SIMPLE IRAs and 403(b) retirement plan options for nonprofit organizations, facilitated by PHF board member and financial advisor Dean St. Marie.
• Educator Retreats Full-day retreats held at Horseshoe Farms in Hendersonville focused on educator wellbeing, reflection, resilience, and leadership renewal, facilitated by board member Lauren Agrella-Sevilla.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $560,000 allocated in nursing and healthcare endowments for regional scholarships
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Housing Assistance CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025PHF partnered with Housing Assistance Corporation for the Cashiers Valley Road Project, an affordable housing initiative bringing 14+ new homes to families earning 30%-120% of Area Median Income. PHF provided a $1 million low-interest community impact loan to catalyze the $2 million infrastructure investment. Construction begins March 2026 through December 2027 on land contributed by the City of Brevard.
• FWRD TransylvaniacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024PHF serves as the fiscal sponsor for FWRD Transylvania, the long-term recovery group that emerged after Hurricane Helene in September 2024. This partnership coordinates disaster case management, volunteer and construction coordination, community engagement and healing, economic recovery and small business support, and preparedness planning for future disasters.
• Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of CommercemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner collaborating on networking events (Business After Hours), PowHer women's networking collaborative, and joint initiatives to strengthen local business and nonprofit community.
• Habitat for HumanitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore partner of FWRD Transylvania providing volunteer and construction coordination for disaster recovery and rebuilding efforts.
• Augustine Literacy Project-BrevardmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrantee partner providing free, research-based literacy tutoring for students from under-resourced families. PHF grant supports administrative capacity to coordinate and expand countywide services.
• Bread of LifemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrantee partner providing hot meals and groceries to food-insecure residents. PHF grant supports pre-construction costs for new purpose-built facility to expand meal service capacity.
• Cove SheltermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrantee partner providing emergency shelter, meals, and showers for neighbors experiencing homelessness. PHF grant extends winter operations to seven nights per week November through March.
• The Haven of Transylvania CountymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrantee partner providing emergency shelter and housing stability services. PHF grant supports the House of Hope trauma-informed shelter and new Peer Living Room for women.
• The Hunger Coalition of Transylvania CountymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrantee partner improving food access through collaborative programs. PHF funds the 30-Minute Table meal-kit program providing nutritious, ready-to-prepare meals for local households.
• Meals on Wheels BrevardmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrantee partner delivering nourishment and connection to home-bound older adults. PHF grant reinforces meal production and delivery routes for consistent, reliable support.
• El Centro Comunitario Hispano AmericanomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrantee partner strengthening Hispanic youth and families through education, leadership development, and cultural enrichment. PHF funds bilingual youth programs and family engagement for academic success.
• Eagle's Nest FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrantee partner connecting young learners to nature through outdoor education. PHF grant opens preschool camp opportunities for local children regardless of family income.
• Free Rein CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrantee partner delivering equine-assisted therapies for students with developmental, cognitive, emotional, or physical needs. PHF support enhances therapeutic riding and equine-assisted learning sessions.
• The Family PlacemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrantee partner strengthening families through parenting education and early childhood support. PHF grant expands Circle of Parents groups in English and Spanish for caregiver learning and resilience.
• Babies Need BottomsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrantee partner ensuring families have diapers, formula, and infant hygiene supplies. PHF grant expands local distribution through Sharing House partnership.
• Haywood Christian MinistrymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrantee partner providing food, crisis assistance, and supportive services in Haywood County. PHF funds food and pantry operations serving 2,300+ households weekly.
• Beacon of Hope (Marshall, NC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrantee partner reducing food insecurity in Madison County. PHF funds pantry program expenses to sustain expanded food distribution through client-choice shopping space.
• Sharing HousemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrantee partner providing food, clothing, household goods, and crisis assistance in Transylvania County. Partners with Babies Need Bottoms for infant supply distribution.
• Brevard Music CentersupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for community film screening events featuring PowHer women's networking collaborative programming.
• Kayla Leed CreativesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in PowHer women's networking collaborative, contributing creative services for community events and programming.
• WNC Nonprofit PathwaysmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducts board governance training workshops with PHF for nonprofit board chairs, executive directors, and board members. Facilitator Jeannette Butterworth leads sessions on board vs. ED roles, fiduciary responsibilities, and governance best practices.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust: Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust is a private foundation in Winston-Salem, NC that invests in health, mental health, and housing across North Carolina. It shares PHF's focus on rural community health, social determinants, and a combination of grantmaking and place-based PRI/loan strategies, making it the closest peer in mission and structure.
• WNC Bridge Foundation: WNC Bridge Foundation manages regional scholarship and community funds in Western North Carolina and received over $560,000 in nursing/healthcare endowments from PHF in 2025. Both foundations serve overlapping regional funder networks and complement each other in pooling and re-deploying philanthropic capital across WNC.
• Mary Black Foundation: Mary Black Foundation is a Spartanburg, SC-based private foundation focused on early childhood development and community health in a defined regional footprint. It mirrors PHF's model of a place-based health foundation combining grantmaking with convening and capacity-building support for local nonprofits.
• North Carolina Community Foundation: The North Carolina Community Foundation is a statewide community foundation with affiliate foundations across NC counties, including Transylvania. Both PHF and NCCF operate as community-led grantmakers serving overlapping Western NC geographies and funder partner networks; NCCF is a listed funding partner of PHF.
• Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation: Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation is a NC-based nonprofit that operates health-focused programs and convenes regional stakeholders on rural health, healthy communities, and access to care. It shares PHF's systems-level approach to community health in North Carolina.

Broad incumbents

• Dogwood Health Trust: Dogwood Health Trust is the largest health-focused foundation in Western North Carolina and a major funder of Pisgah Health Foundation's capacity-building programs. Both foundations share a social-determinants-of-health lens and target similar regional nonprofit ecosystems, but Dogwood operates at materially larger scale (over $1.5B in assets) and across a broader 17-county region.
• The Duke Endowment: The Duke Endowment is a major private foundation headquartered in Charlotte, NC, that funds health, education, and child welfare across the Carolinas. While it operates at vastly greater scale and a wider geography, its health-program priorities (rural health, healthcare access) overlap with PHF's regional social-determinants framing, and it funds similar nonprofit grantees in Western NC.
• Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation: Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation is a private North Carolina foundation focused on social justice, environmental, and community change statewide. While broader in scope and based in Winston-Salem, it funds many of the same type of community-based nonprofits in NC and shares PHF's social-determinants framing for community well-being.
• The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation: The Blue Cross NC Foundation funds statewide health initiatives including rural health, mental health, and early childhood, often via place-based grants to regional partners. Both PHF and the BCBSNC Foundation are health-mission-driven NC funders addressing social determinants through regional partnerships.

Regional players

• Blue Ridge Health (formerly Blue Ridge Community Health Services): Blue Ridge Health is a federally qualified health center serving Western North Carolina counties including Transylvania and Henderson. While a direct service provider rather than a grantmaker, it operates in PHF's same service region and is a likely PHF ecosystem partner addressing healthcare access and social determinants.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/PisgahHealthFoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pisgah Health Foundation