Community engagement

Since 2012, Western North Carolina communities have come together to study the health and wellness of residents and prioritize areas for improvement through the WNC Health Network.  We are a proud member and sponsor of this unique collaboration between regional hospitals, health departments, and community stakeholders to coordinate Community Health Needs Assessments in every WNC county, every three years.  Learn more about our community health needs and priorities through the WNC Healthy Impact program.

We are proud to partner with many organizations across our region in shared efforts to promote health and wellness. Organizations seeking funding for events, projects or programs must be designated as 5013c non-profits. See more for additional criteria and application process:

• Event and/or Organization must be located within Mission Health’s 18-county service region.
• Event and/or program focus should align with health and wellness goals for community members we serve.
• Requests should not exceed $10,000. If multiple levels of sponsorship are an option, please include those in the application form.
• Strategic priority areas given highest consideration include Access to Healthcare Careers, Positive Mental Wellness, Healthy Starts for Moms and Babies, and Improving Outcomes in Heart or Cancer Care.

Application process

Applications for funding opportunities can be submitted for review through our Community Engagement Sponsorship Portal, which requires log-in registration and password.

Community Engagement Sponsorship Portal

Requests are reviewed by committee on a quarterly basis. You will be notified when your application is received, and when committee review is complete. Please provide ample time for consideration prior to any events. 2-3 months is advised.

Unfortunately, Mission Health is unable to fulfill every request we receive. For questions or to learn more about our Community Engagement Contributions and Sponsorships, please contact MissionCommunity@HCAHealthcare.com.

Mission Health Community Scholars

Recognizing the importance of building and maintaining the future healthcare workforce, Mission Health is proud to support health science scholarships for multiple health careers at several institutions in WNC, including: AB Tech, Blue Ridge Community College, Haywood Community College, Mars Hill University, Mayland Community College, McDowell Tech, Southwestern Community College, Western Carolina University. Interested applicants can contact their financial aid office to see if they are eligible.

Kesha Young Scholarship

Since 1997, The Kesha Young Scholarship has been awarded to high school seniors and college students of color, who are from backgrounds underrepresented in healthcare careers and aspiring to join this field.  Kesha Young was a bi-racial woman, born with multiple disabilities, who frequently received care at Mission Hospital. Throughout her visits, Kesha’s Mom, LaVerne, longed for more caregivers “who looked like us, to comfort us”. Kesha was described by her parents as having a warm smile and strong spirit, and having developed fond relationships with her caregivers throughout her life. In her memory, we encourage students with similar attributes to pursue their dreams of caring for patients.

The Kesha Young Scholarship application window is typically March 1^st through Mid-April every year. Eligibility and Application information for 2025 will be updated here. For questions about this scholarship, please contact NCDV.ScholarshipMailbox@hcahealthcare.com.