ASHEVILLE — Arts organizations across 16 Western North Carolina counties battered by Hurricane Helene can now apply for a share of $1.2 million in recovery grant funding through a new program launched by ArtsAVL, the region's arts council.
The Nonprofit Arts Recovery Grant Program opened its application portal Monday at artsavl.org/recovery, with a submission deadline of April 6, 2026. The program was formally announced February 25.
Funding was assembled through a partnership between the North Carolina Community Foundation's Disaster Relief Fund, which contributed $1 million, and Dogwood Health Trust, which provided an additional $200,000.
Eligible organizations must hold active 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, have been in continuous operation for at least two years prior to the application deadline, and have documented prior-year operating expenses of at least $20,000. Organizations located in any of the 16 counties designated as Hurricane Helene disaster areas in the region are eligible to apply.
Grants range from $2,500 to $20,000 and may be used for a broad array of expenses including staff salaries, rent and utilities, programming costs, equipment purchases, and marketing. All awarded funds must be fully expended by December 31, 2026.
"Western North Carolina's arts sector was already a vital part of our regional economy and identity before Helene," said an ArtsAVL spokesperson. "This funding recognizes that rebuilding our cultural community is just as essential as rebuilding infrastructure."
The arts and cultural sector in the Asheville area alone supported thousands of jobs and generated tens of millions of dollars in economic activity annually before the storm's devastating September 2024 landfall.
ArtsAVL staff will host informational webinars and in-person sessions to assist applicants unfamiliar with the grant process. Details on those sessions are available on the organization's website.
Interested organizations are encouraged to apply early and ensure their 501(c)(3) documentation and financial records are current before submission. Full eligibility requirements and the online application are available at artsavl.org/recovery.
ArtsAVL has launched a $1.2 million Nonprofit Arts Recovery Grant Program to help arts organizations across 16 Western North Carolina counties recover from Hurricane Helene. Applications opened Monday, March 9, and will be accepted through April 6 at artsavl.org/recovery. Individual grants range from $2,500 to $20,000 and must be spent by December 31, 2026.