Dogwood Health Trust and Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC) has announced a $10.5 million effort to strengthen the financial resiliency of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) across Western North Carolina. This strategic collaboration ensures that eligible FQHCs and look-alikes with a physical location in the 18 westernmost North Carolina counties served by Dogwood can maintain essential health care access for residents despite the financial strain caused by Hurricane Helene and federal funding uncertainty. Mountain Community Health Partnership is the FQHC in our area.
To help FQHCs navigate these challenges, the partnership combines flexible capital with expert technical support:
- $10 Million Flexible Loan Fund: Dogwood Health Trust has issued $10 million Program-Related Investment (PRI) to PCDC, a national Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) focused on strengthening primary care providers. These funds will offer low-cost, flexible loans to eligible FQHCs and FQHC look-alikes, to sustain and increase access to high-quality care.
- $490,000 for Financial and Operational Coaching: In addition to loan support, Dogwood is providing nearly half a million dollars to PCDC to provide focused, hands-on financial resiliency coaching to qualified FQHCs and look-alikes on revenue cycle and financial workflow assessments, cash flow management tools, modeling related to Medicaid and federal funding changes, operational dashboard development, policy and workflow improvements, and long-term sustainability planning.
Additional information about the program can be found by visiting pcdc.org/dogwood.
“FQHCs provide primary medical, dental and behavioral health care to nearly 200,000[1] children and families in Western North Carolina,” said Dr. Susan Mims, CEO of Dogwood Health Trust. “These resources will give back to our FQHCs to support their care for the people of our region, navigate the uncertainties created by recent federal funding changes, and continue to recover from Hurricane Helene.”
“Many people do not realize the incredible leadership FQHCs demonstrated after Helene. Their staff kayaked to rescue people and checked on patients in their homes, ran mobile clinics and staffed emergency shelters. We are pleased to work with a proven partner like PCDC to offer FQHCs steady access to resources so they can continue to care for our region, now and for the future,” added Mims.
Dogwood’s investment in PCDC reflects a continued commitment to ensuring WNC’s community health centers remain strong, stable and equipped to serve individuals and families who rely on them for essential care.
“Federally Qualified Health Centers are a critical component of care in rural communities, and ensuring their financial resiliency is essential to protecting access for thousands of families across Western North Carolina,” said Aparna Mekala, CEO, Primary Care Development Corporation. “Through this partnership with Dogwood Health Trust, PCDC is proud to pair flexible capital with hands-on financial and operational expertise to help health centers stabilize, adapt, and plan for long-term sustainability. Together, we are strengthening the foundation of primary care and helping bridge health care gaps across the region.”
About Dogwood Health Trust
Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina with the sole purpose of dramatically improving the health and wellbeing of all people and communities of 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina. Dogwood Health Trust focuses on innovative and equitable ways to address the many factors that contribute to overall health and wellbeing, with a focus on housing, education, economic opportunity, and health and wellness. Dogwood Health Trust works to create a Western North Carolina where every generation can live, learn, earn and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all, no exceptions. To learn more, please visit www.dht.org
About the Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC)
The Primary Care Development Corporation is a national nonprofit and a US Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) dedicated to building equity and excellence in primary care. PCDC was awarded a four-star impact performance rating with Policy Plus and AA+ financial strength and performance rating from Aeris.
PCDC provides affordable capital, expertise, and advocacy to strengthen primary care systems in underserved communities across the United States. For over three decades, PCDC has leveraged more than $1.5 billion to finance over 250 primary care projects. Visit www.pcdc.org to learn more.