Affiliate Funds
Black Mountain - Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund Cashiers Community Fund The Fund for Haywood County Highlands Community Fund The McDowell Endowment The Fund for Mitchell County Rutherford County Endowment Transylvania Endowment The Yancey Fund
Women for Women
Browse Affiliates Funds
Black Mountain - Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund Cashiers Community Fund The Fund for Haywood County Highlands Community Fund The McDowell Endowment The Fund for Mitchell County Rutherford County Endowment Transylvania Endowment The Yancey Fund
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Response and Recovery in our Region

Emergency and Disaster Response Fund Grants

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. More than $38 million has been distributed since October 4.  

Currently, CFWNC is considering grant requests on a case-by-case basis according to the availability of funds, the severity of need in the community served, and other sources of support available to the applying organizations.   

The North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund is supporting long-term recovery from Hurricane Helene. A total of $7.9 million has been allocated from the Disaster Relief Fund by NCCF, with more grants to eligible organizations expected to be made to organizations throughout 2025 and beyond. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available. Visit NCCF’s website to learn more. Organizations can also sign up for updates from NCCF about the Disaster Relief Fund.

CFWNC Grant Programs Hurricane Response Details
About

Photo courtesy of Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity.
About
Photo by Michael Oppenheim.
<p>Photo courtesy of Mercy Chefs.</p>
About

Photo courtesy of Mercy Chefs.
Apply for Funding

Funds are Distributed Only through Proactive Grants

A limited number of grant opportunities are available, and applications will be invited until all available funds have been awarded. To determine eligibility, review the information below. If you meet the criteria, contact Vice President for Programs Tara Scholtz at 828-367-9913 or by email to discuss your proposal and potential next steps.

Eligibility

Review the following information to determine if you are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to the geographic areas of CFWNC’s region most significantly affected by Helene. 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. Fiscal sponsors and organizations formed since the storm are generally not being considered.
  • Previously funded through any CFWNC competitive grant program or working with previously funded WNC organizations that must be named in the application.
  • Serving the following counties and areas in WNC: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania and Yancey and including the Qualla Boundary. Preference given to those located in: Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Rutherford,  Transylvania, and Yancey counties.

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. 

The Hurricane Helene Multi-Agency Warehouse is a donations warehouse distributing resources and supplies.

Register to Request Supplies

Access State Information

NC Department of Public Safety

Hurricane Helene Resources