More than $31 Million Distributed for Hurricane Helene Relief

WNC -- The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) distributed six 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 $31,027,776.

Grants awarded this week are:

$50,000 to Asheville-Buncombe Community Land Trust to provide home repairs and temporary housing for residents displaced by Hurricane Helene in Buncombe County. 

$50,000 to Garden Creek Baptist Church to repair its roof damaged by Hurricane Helene in McDowell County. 

$85,000 to Mitchell County Long-Term Resilience Group to fund coordinators to help provide essential housing assistance to Helene survivors in Mitchell County. 

$315,000 to Mountain Valleys RC&D Council for debris removal and streambank stabilization in Madison, Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania, McDowell, Rutherford, and Polk counties. 

$180,000 to Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity to rebuild and repair homes damaged by Hurricane Helene in Rutherford County. 

$50,000 to Western Piedmont Foundation for reconstruction and improvement of an outdoor classroom destroyed by Hurricane Helene in Burke County. 

“Six months have passed since Hurricane Helene swept through WNC damaging infrastructure, housing, the environment, economies and people’s lives,” said CFWNC President Elizabeth Brazas. “With generous contributions from funders, corporations and people from across the country, CFWNC has been able to support nonprofits and organizations that stepped up to help immediately and continue to push recovery forward in WNC. As we spend down the funds placed here, we remain deeply grateful for everyone who makes this work possible.”

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. 

CFWNC: Mission

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina inspires philanthropy and mobilizes resources to enrich lives and communities throughout the region.

Vision

Our vision is a vibrant and equitable Western North Carolina where all people can find opportunity and enjoy the region's many resources.

Our actions reflect our values:

• We listen, cultivate relationships and build collective support to address community needs.

• We commit resources to these needs and inspire others to join us.

• We draw on our regional knowledge and partnerships to guide this work.

• We make giving easy, effective and enduring.