Community members gathered for the second listening session to share how the Endowment can make the greatest impact possible for all to thrive. At the second session, many needs presented at the first were further amplified.
The first public listening session served as an initial opportunity for community members to share their perspectives and insights on New Hanover’s needs. Some prominent areas of concern shared were equitable access to youth programs, transportation, affordable housing, resources for…
William Buster, a seasoned leader in philanthropy who has dedicated his life’s work to improving the social determinants of health and quality of life for all people across the South, was selected to serve as the first CEO & President.
County Commissioners voted to activate the Asset Purchase Agreement, which approved the sale of the New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Novant Health and created the New Hanover Community Endowment from the sale’s net proceeds.
The initial five members of the Endowment’s board were selected: Spence Broadhurst, Dr. Virginia Adams, Hannah Gage, Stedman Stevens and Shannon Winslow.
Spence Broadhurst and Hannah Gage were elected chair and vice chair of the board respectively.
The Endowment board adopted its bylaws to guide the operations of the Endowment, which are aligned with its mandated purpose.
Chris Boney, Bill Cameron, Cedric Dickerson, Michele Holbrook, Patrick D. Maguire, MD and David Harriss Sprunt were appointed to the board.
Contingent on provisions to increase the Endowment’s transparency, Attorney General Josh Stein announced no objections to the sale and iterated his support stating negotiations have created “a more representative, more transparent, and more accountable Endowment.”
To protect the integrity of the tax-exempt organization, the policy intends to prevent the Endowment from a transaction or arrangement that may benefit the private interest of an officer or director or might result in a possible excess benefit transaction.