The deadline to submit letters of intent to Vidant Health Foundation’s Community Benefit Grants program is fast approaching.

Letters are due Dec. 11 for the 2018-19 program cycle.

Founded in 1999, the Community Benefit Grants program “promotes outreach projects that focus on wellness, disease prevention and management.” Beaufort County’s main areas of focus include chronic disease prevention and management, access to care, nutrition and physical activity.

Last year’s program at Vidant Beaufort Hospital awarded a total of $91,500 to 11 recipients, from the Mid-East Commission Area Agency on Aging, to Eagle’s Wings Food Pantry and Coastal Pregnancy Center. Funding is usually awarded in July, after review of the letters begins in the first of the year. The letters of intent essentially outline how the nonprofit and/or organization will utilize the funds if awarded.

“In January, the Community Benefit Grants review committee is looking forward to meeting and discussing the letters of intent received,” said Jennifer Lewis, community health nurse at Vidant Beaufort Hospital. “We are fortunate to have many nonprofits in our area doing great work to improve the health and well-being of our community.”

Each participating hospital has its own review committee comprised of health professionals and community health staff. If the committee deems a letter of intent as meeting certain requirements, then that organization must submit a full application to the reviewers.

Lewis said the seven community hospitals with Vidant Health receive $100,000 each from the Vidant Health Foundation to award, and some funds are kept in reserve to either carry over next year or use for recipients’ needs that arise later in the same year.

Besides Vidant Beaufort, the other participating hospitals are Vidant Bertie, Vidant Chowan, Vidant Duplin, Outer Banks Hospital, Vidant Edgecombe and Vidant Roanoke-Chowan.

“Our hospital is proud to contribute and support the meaningful programs these organizations provide to our community,” Lewis said.

Local nonprofits and organizations interested in submitting letters of intent should contact Jennifer Lewis at jennifer.lewis@vidanthealth.com.