Hurricane Helene Relief Fund

We’re reaching out today in appreciation and with an update regarding your donation to the Hurricane Helene Relief Fund. This fund continues to adapt to respond to the changing needs of rural communities across North Carolina as they do the big work of rebuilding their lives, homes, and communities. 

This fund has supported 21 grants to high-impact, community-led nonprofits who are working hard to meet local recovery needs.

Here’s what one local grant recipient wants you to know about the impact of your donation: 

“This is incredible!!!! It is such a huge help especially now that donations have majorly slowed down as attention drifts away from WNC. Really, we can't thank you enough.” 

-Rural Organizing and Resilience (ROAR)

Here is a short description of some of the critical work you’ve supported: 

• Rural Organizing and Resilience (ROAR)’s direct financial assistance programs for rent, utilities, and short-term housing continue to be a lifeline for individuals and families still facing housing instability and economic hardship. They’ve helped countless neighbors  replace storm-damaged vehicles, supply essential winter heating resources, and so much more. 

• United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County is serving as a central coordinator, connector, and long-term leader in Hurricane Helene recovery. As the fiscal sponsor and staffing backbone of the Buncombe County Long-Term Recovery Group, UWABC provides day-to-day operational leadership and ensures coordinated countywide recovery efforts amongst an array of local organizations. UWABC also manages and distributes the Helene Recovery Fund, which has already processed more than $9.4 million for housing, utilities, and direct community assistance. Together, these roles position UWABC as a key stabilizing force helping the region recover now and build resilience for the future. 

• BeLoved Asheville continues to meet immediate recovery needs such as distributing hot spots for people without internet and providing shelter and heating for affected families. They  also invest in home repairs and affordable housing construction projects, such as BeLoved Villages.

• Mountain BizWorks serves small, local business owners across the 26 westernmost, largely rural counties of North Carolina through affordable small business loans ranging from $1,000 to $500,000, cohort-based learning programs, and personalized one-on-one coaching. In response to Hurricane Helene, they launched long-term recovery efforts with partners under the WNC Strong collaborative, distributing over $60 million in relief grants and loans to help businesses rebuild and reopen. Through the Recover Forward program, they continue to provide long-term training and support, helping small business owners sustain and grow their businesses while strengthening the communities they serve.

Your support of the GlobalGiving Hurricane Helene Relief Fund continues to drive long-term recovery and contribute to the flourishing of communities still working to rebuild. You can find a full list of nonprofits who have received a grant from the Hurricane Helene Relief Fund at the end of this report.

With gratitude, 

Rylan + Heather + The GlobalGiving Team

All Organizations Supported To Date

• Rural Organizing and Resilience 
• MANNA Food Bank
• Mountain BizWorks
• BeLoved Asheville
• Vecinos
• United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
• Give Directly
• Southern Smoke Foundation 
• Housing Collaborative of North Carolina
• The Saint Bernard Project
• Asociacion de Mexicanos en Carolina del Norte (AMEXCAN)
• Seed Programs International 
• Craft Emergency Relief Fund
• Unity In Disasters
• Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management