Aeroflow Health is taking a significant step in defining what corporate citizenship looks like in Western North Carolina. Building on two decades of growth in the medical products and services sector, the company has launched a multi-year philanthropic program designed to channel several million dollars into the region while also mobilizing its workforce through paid volunteer opportunities.

While the new initiative aligns with broader efforts the company has already undertaken—from supporting local nonprofits to assisting employees affected by natural disasters—it represents Aeroflow’s first formalized structure for giving. “As we’ve grown nationally, we recognized the importance of aligning that growth with a structured, strategic approach to community giving,” said Ryan Bullock, chief strategy officer. 

Bullock described the program as a natural extension of Aeroflow’s mission. “Formalizing our philanthropic initiative now ensures that our impact grows alongside our business,” he said. “It allows us to focus our resources where they can drive the most meaningful change.” The company’s approach emphasizes a holistic understanding of health, including the social determinants that shape it—housing, education, nutrition, and access to care.

Supporting organizations ranging from Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity to MAHEC, Meals on Wheels, and Haywood Street Community Development, Aeroflow selected partners based on a combination of mission alignment and opportunities for hands-on engagement. “Each nonprofit was chosen for its deep local roots, proven impact, and ability to engage our employees directly in volunteerism,” Bullock said. He added that the chosen organizations collectively represent Aeroflow’s philanthropic pillars: access to healthcare, education, and affordable housing.

The five-year commitment is paired with a strong emphasis on accountability. Bullock noted that Aeroflow is partnering with each nonprofit to track real, concrete outcomes. “Success will be measured by the tangible outcomes we help create—more families with stable housing, more students supported in their education, and more individuals gaining access to essential health services,” he said. “Ultimately, our goal is to see measurable improvements in community health and well-being in Western North Carolina, and to build sustainable partnerships that extend that impact far beyond five years.”

Bullock emphasized that Aeroflow’s giving strategy intentionally spans multiple sectors. “Health doesn’t exist in a vacuum,” he said. “Access to a doctor or a medical device means little without a safe place to live, nutritious food to eat, or the education to navigate life’s opportunities. These factors are interdependent—and together, they define a person’s overall well-being.”

For Bullock, addressing these interlocking factors is essential to achieving long-term health improvements. “By supporting organizations across healthcare, housing, and education, we’re helping to address the full ecosystem of health,” he said. “Our belief is simple: when people have dignity, stability, and opportunity, health outcomes improve.”

A standout feature of Aeroflow’s new initiative is its commitment to employee-driven giving and volunteerism. In addition to funding major local nonprofits, the company provides 16 hours of annual paid volunteer time and invites employees to submit their own philanthropy requests.

Bullock said the company is closely tracking participation. “We’re tracking engagement through participation rates in volunteer activities, the number of hours used from our 16-hour paid volunteer benefit, and feedback from employees via our employee engagement survey,” he said. Early signs are strong, as the company has achieved a 34 percent increase of year over year volunteer hours as of November.

To keep momentum high, Aeroflow offers a range of options. “We’ve created both in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities that fit diverse schedules and locations,” Bullock said. The company also uses employee stories to inspire others. “When our people see the tangible outcomes of their contributions, whether it’s helping build a home or serving meals, engagement becomes organic and self-sustaining.”

Employee feedback has reinforced the program’s impact. “Employees have volunteered with organizations like ABCCM’s Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, participated in United Way’s School Supply Drive, and supported Haywood Street Congregation’s Downtown Welcome Table,” Bullock said. “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have shared that these opportunities make them feel more connected not just to our company, but to the community we call home.”

While Aeroflow now operates nationally, its philanthropic program is intentionally centered on Western North Carolina. “Western North Carolina isn’t just where our headquarters are—it’s where our story began,” Bullock said. “This community has supported Aeroflow Health since our earliest days, and it’s only right that we reinvest here in meaningful ways.”

Though Aeroflow’s philanthropic work is rooted in Western North Carolina, the company plans to expand the model nationally. “As we continue to grow internationally, we envision extending this model to other regions where our patients and employees live,” Bullock said. “Wherever Aeroflow Health operates, we want to leave communities healthier, stronger, and more connected.”