PIEDMONT TRIAD, N.C. (WGHP) — The SECU Foundation Board of Directors recently approved $760,000 in Mission Development Grants for 19 North Carolina nonprofits, three of which are in the Piedmont Triad. According to the SECU Foundation, the Mission Development Grants program helps to "conduct institutional assessments and coaching for specific areas to increase the capacity for program expansion and leadership development." Each nonprofit received $40,000 to focus on technology education, support against domestic violence, housing and homelessness, child advocacy and youth services, healthcare services and crisis intervention. Grantees representing the Piedmont Triad include the following: Organization to Provide Equal Access to Technology, Greensboro, NC OPEAT's website states its mission is "to bridge the digital divide by providing equal access to technology for underserved populations. We are dedicated to empowering individuals in communities that have historically been marginalized and overlooked, ensuring they have the tools, resources, and training needed to thrive in the digital age." The Dragonfly House Children's Advocacy Center, Mocksville, NC The Dragonfly House aims to reduce the long-term effects of child abuse and provides confidential, coordinated services to victims from birth to age 17. Services include forensic interviews, child abuse medical exams, victim advocacy and support, mental health treatment, coordinated case review services and community outreach and education. Home of Refuge Outreach Inc., Eden, NC The objectives of the Home of Refuge Outreach Inc. are to: Provide year-round, safe and secure shelter for the homeless population in Rockingham County Ensure they have food and clean clothing through donations from partnering agencies, individuals or organizations and to Assist our neighbors with getting important documentation such as NC ID, Card, Social Security Card, Birth Certificate, etc. Executive Director Melissa Galloway said, “We are honored to receive a Mission Development Grant from SECU Foundation. Our mission is to ‘bridge the gap between the community and homelessness,’ and this grant will be instrumental in our expansion efforts, significantly enhancing our ability to implement strategies and achieve our goals. As we continue to pursue meaningful change in our community, this support will help us grow and strengthen our impact in addressing homelessness. We are deeply grateful for this partnership and the confidence it represents in our work.” “The MDG program has added a layer of depth to our funding strategy that is helping organizations with strategic planning efforts to hopefully achieve more than they thought possible,” said SECU Foundation Executive Director Jama Campbell. “The success of this program speaks to the critical need for this type of funding among nonprofits, and we couldn’t be more pleased to be part of their journey and future success.”