The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina

Partnership and Mutual Aid

WE RISE Together

As we mark the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene, we are grateful for the continued support of WNC's recovery efforts. While CFWNC's Emergency and Disaster Response Fund remains open to accept donations, our funding priority was immediate response and recovery from the storm. While we are not currently running a grant program, donations made to the Fund may be utilized to support ongoing recovery from Helene, resiliency, or future emergency and disaster response needs. Our partners at the North Carolina Community Foundation are supporting longer-term recovery and resilience efforts.

When Hurricane Helene struck, CFWNC quickly mobilized - thanks to an outpouring of support from people across the country and beyond - distributing more than $41 million to support relief and recovery through 537 grants. Funding supported critical emergency needs, home rebuilding, forest and stream restoration, and local economies. This storm taught us lessons. We are more effective in alliance with others, and we gratefully accepted the extended hands and offers of help. Our interconnectedness is a strength, and we rise through mutual aid and with trust in each other. Donations fueled resilience, and the lessons learned will help us support others facing future disasters.

Read the Report Directory of Grants

Types of Support

Supporting Relief, Recovery & Resilience

We opened the Emergency and Disaster Response Fund to support frontline nonprofits and the donors who wanted to help. Administrative fees were waived so that every dollar could directly help WNC recover. 537 grants have been awarded since October 4, 2024. Larger proactive grants have been invited and awarded. Each grant represents enormous effort and resilience on the part of nonprofits and public agencies working in their communities.

Immediate Emergency Needs

Children & Families

Housing

Environment

Infrastructure

Economic Impact

EcoForesters experienced staff cleared trees from homes and restored access to trails, reduced wildfire risk and supported the return of outdoor recreation. Photo courtesy of EcoForesters

Mercy Chefs set up emergency kitchens in strategic locations throughout impacted areas, despite power outages, transportation disruptions, and limited access to resources. Their team worked to provide nourishment as well as hope and comfort to those affected by the disaster. Mercy Chefs leverages expertise in disaster relief, strong partnerships with local organizations, and its network of supporters to mount an immediate response. Photo courtesy of Mercy Chefs

Baptists on Mission conducted urgent home repairs and opened sites to mobilize, support and coordinate volunteers to repair homes in five counties. It expects to be working in WNC for the next four to five years. Photo courtesy of Baptists on Mission

Mountain BizWorks launched a program providing immediate financial assistance through direct grants to help business reopen, retain jobs and stabilize operations. The Rebuilding Together program has supported 149 small businesses in 15 rural communities. Photo courtesy of Mountain BizWorks

Restoring Hope and Continuity

"Your contribution to our Student Disaster Relief Assistance has made a significant impact on our ability to support students as they recover and rebuild their lives. The compassion and commitment you have shown to our College and our community exemplify the spirit of solidarity that is so vital in times of crisis. Your generosity uplifts our institution and inspires our students to persevere in the face of adversity. Together, we are not just repairing structures; we are restoring hope and continuity for those we serve.”

Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation, Flat Rock NC

Supporting Local Arts & Music

“Immediately following Helene, support poured in from all directions, but as the spotlight fades, we’ll still need resources. This fund is about ensuring that WNC can recover and preserve what makes us special—the people, the culture, the craft. The local arts and music communities, both cornerstones of our culture and economy, have been among the hardest hit.”

Rachel Dudasik, The WNC Long Haul - Recovery and Resilience Fund

On the Ground Philanthropy

“There’s a difference in philanthropy that is tethered to what’s actually happening on the ground, and I think you being in these communities, seeing firsthand what principals and superintendents actually needed, helped inform both the quickness of the response and also the fidelity with which you were able to tailor the grantmaking to individual needs.”

Mebane Rash, EdNC, Photo courtesy of CFWNC

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

"With ample space and parking, Laurel Creek Community Center served as a major disaster relief and delivery hub for neighboring devastated communities of Hot Springs and Marshall. Over 85 volunteers served as organizers, wellness checkers, unloaders, backcountry delivery teams, cooks and servers, helicopter greeters, translators…anything they were asked to do. Volunteers delivered camping supplies directly to hard-hit isolated communities in Yancey, Barnardsville and Swannanoa."

Laurel Creek Community Center

Supporting First Responders

A $20,000 grant to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office purchased two thermal drones for disaster response. “After Helene, our region faced unprecedented challenges, including washed-out roads and bridges that hindered search and rescue operations. These state-of-the-art drones have become indispensable tools, enhancing our capabilities. Your investment will save lives in future emergencies and bolsters the resilience of the region. Your generosity is making a tangible difference and is deeply appreciated by the residents and first responders of Rutherford County."

Aaron Ellenburg, Sheriff of Rutherford County

Public Radio - A Critical News Lifeline

"During the lost of electricity and cell phone coverage for more than one million people, the power of radio became an essential lifeline for Western North Carolinians. From September 28th until October 11th, BPR housed reporters from around the county at our offices in Asheville and provided daily briefings with county and city officials including coverage about Asheville's municipal water outages and damages. In short, the $25,000 grant from CFWNC allowed BPR to be a critical news lifeline during a time of acute emergency experiences by hundreds of thousands of NC residents."

Blue Ridge Public Radio

A statue standing among rubble with signed that say Hope...even when the creek rises

Thank You for Supporting Relief and Recovery

We are deeply grateful for your continued generosity and support.

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