The Emergency and Disaster Response Fund (EDRF) responds to immediate or urgent needs that unexpectedly arise in our 18-county service area. Since Hurricane Helene ravaged our region, EDRF has been funding organizations providing emergency relief or recovery services. As needs evolve, CFWNC continues to make program adjustments.
Organizations continuing to provide frontline services, such as food, water, and other basic supplies can contact the newly established Multi Agency Warehouse.
Deadlines and Dates
- Nonprofits will use a simple, expedited process to access funds with grants considered and awarded on a rolling basis.
- Organizations can submit only one request for funding at a time.
Eligibility
Review the information below to determine if you are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to the geographic areas of CFWNC’s region most significantly affected. An organization applying for a grant from the EDRF must be:
- A community-based nonprofit designated by the IRS as 501(c)(3), a faith-based organization, or a public agency. (1) Organizations previously funded through EDRF may be considered for ongoing or different work that satisfies the eligibility criteria. (2) Generally, fiscal sponsors and organizations formed since the storm are not being considered.
- Serving the following counties and areas in WNC, with preference given to those also located in: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey counties, including the Qualla Boundary.
- Previously funded through any CFWNC competitive grant program or working with previously funded WNC organizations that must be named in the application.
Grants up to $50,000 may be awarded to eligible organizations:
that sustained direct facility damage, have been displaced, or require equipment replacement, facility repairs or remediation
OR
whose projects and mission address:
- temporary housing, home repair or remediation
- water quality assessments or improvements
- debris removal
- stream restoration
- invasive species or forest management (including trail remediation)
- conservation stewardship
- community garden or farm remediation needed for the spring 2025 planting season
- native species restoration
What We Do Not Fund
EDRF grants generally do not support: debt retirement; sectarian religious purposes; partisan political purposes; individuals; or private K-12 schools (except for projects or programs that are not directed toward the school's students or staff and that directly address community needs) and private clubs.
Grants are intended to cover the extraordinary costs of providing emergency, relief or recovery services for eligible organizations affected by the storm. EDRF grants are not for ongoing operational costs, lost revenue, lost wages, or costs that are or will be covered by other sources. Eligibility for emergency public funding (local, state or federal) will be addressed in the application.
As the recovery process evolves, EDRF grant guidelines may be adjusted further to align with the region’s needs.
How to Apply
1. Access Community Foundation Staff Assistance
If you have questions regarding eligibility, contact Tara Scholtz, Senior Program Officer, by email or at 828-367-9913.
2. Submit an Application
Access the online application process. For technical assistance with the online grant system, please contact Diane Crisp, Grants Manager, by email or at 828-367-9904. Applicants will be notified by email upon receipt of application.
If connectivity is an issue, email or call Alana Nottage (828-785-4742).
Si el idioma es una barrera, envíe un correo electrónico o llame a Ismael Martinez (828-367-9909).
3. Review Process
Expedited review of applications will take place with funding decisions announced on a rolling basis.
Reporting Requirements
A brief online end-of-grant report verifying use of grant funds and results will be required. Instructions will be included in the grant award communication.
Larger grant requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and determined according to the availability of funds, the severity of need in the community served, and the other sources of support available to the organizations.