Open Way Learning Receives Multi-Year Grant from The Leon Levine Foundation for the WNC Resilience Project

Open Way Learning (OWL) is proud to announce that along with our core coalition partners SparkNC and Education Reimagined, we have been awarded a major multi-year grant from The Leon Levine Foundation to support the continued development and scaling of the WNC Resilience Project. This significant investment will support the continued development and scaling of the WNC Resilience Project, an initiative designed to turn the challenges of Hurricane Helene into a powerful catalyst for educational innovation, healing, and community transformation in Western North Carolina.

The WNC Resilience Project brings together educators, nonprofits, businesses, higher education institutions, and community partners to co-create innovative, real-world learning experiences that are grounded in resilience and equity. With this support from The Leon Levine Foundation, OWL and its coalition of partners will be able to expand community initiatives, elevate student leadership, and reimagine education as a tool for long-term regional renewal.

“We are incredibly grateful to The Leon Levine Foundation for believing in our mission and supporting our commitment to empowering the Western North Carolina community,” said Ben Owens, Director of Strategy & Innovation and Co-Founder of Open Way Learning. “This grant will allow us to implement and scale innovative education strategies that not only address immediate recovery needs but also position students as leaders in driving meaningful, long-lasting change.”

Read more about the project in this EdNC article.

Stay connected and learn how to get involved by joining our mailing list at www.openwaylearning.org/contact-10.

About The Leon Levine Foundation Established in 1980 by Leon Levine, Founder and Former Chairman of Family Dollar Stores, Inc., The Leon Levine Foundation supports programs and organizations focused on education, healthcare, human services, and Jewish values. Based in Charlotte, N.C., the Foundation invests in nonprofits across North and South Carolina that demonstrate strong leadership, a track record of success, and a commitment to financial sustainability. Through its investments, the Foundation aims to create pathways to self-sufficiency, champion strategies for lasting change, and facilitate opportunities for growth. Learn more at www.leonlevinefoundation.org or follow @LeonLevineFdn on Twitter and Facebook.