(May 16, 2025) The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) distributed eight grants totaling $730,000 this week to nonprofits providing hurricane recovery services in Western North Carolina. With these awards, the total amount awarded from the Emergency and Disaster Response Fund (EDRF) since October 7 is $32,832,776.
“Necessary recovery work continues in WNC, thanks to organizations and nonprofits responding and rebuilding,” said CFWNC President Elizabeth Brazas. “As we spend down the funds placed here and try to address issues and needs exacerbated by government cuts, we remain grateful to funders and donors stepping in to support longer term recovery and ongoing work. This experience has highlighted the role that philanthropy often plays in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. It has made us acutely aware of the importance of relationships, trust and connection.”
Grants awarded this week are:
$50,000 to Broken Wheel Ministries to meet increased demand for car repair resulting from Hurricane Helene in Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties.
$50,000 to Brother Wolf Animal Rescue toward rebuilding its facility that was destroyed by Hurricane Helene.
$100,000 to Camp Grier to support staff leading the organization's housing repair and remediation efforts in Old Fort.
$200,000 to EcoForesters for personnel and equipment needed to assist landowners and land managers with stewardship challenges brought on by Hurricane Helene in Yancey, Mitchell, McDowell, Burke, and Buncombe counties.
$45,000 to Haywood Waterways Association for equipment to help with river clean-up projects and to implement stream and habitat stabilization measures to address damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
$10,000 to Laurel Volunteer Fire Department for equipment to fight wildfires in rough terrain in Madison County, an effort that has been made more difficult due to downed trees caused by wind during Hurricane Helene.
$75,000 to Only Hope WNC for temporary housing support for youth in Henderson County displaced by Hurricane Helene.
$200,000 to Rise Disaster Relief and Recovery to provide recovery and rebuilding assistance to people affected by Hurricane Helene in Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties.
If you wish to support aid to those affected by the storm, you can donate to the Fund at www.cfwnc.org. Administrative fees are waived so that every dollar goes directly to assistance.
CFWNC makes grants in 18 Western North Carolina counties including the Qualla Boundary. Bringing people together to address regional issues or crises is a key role of community foundations.