South Raleigh News

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced that $15.5 million in donations to the NC Disaster Relief Fund will be allocated to the North Carolina Community Foundation. These funds aim to support long-term recovery and address unmet needs following Hurricane Helene.

Governor Cooper expressed gratitude for the contributions, stating, “We are so grateful for this outpouring of generosity toward the people of western North Carolina. Recovering from Hurricane Helene will be a marathon and each and every donation helps.”

The NC Community Foundation plans to use these funds along with an additional $12 million it has raised. The foundation will provide grants to nonprofits assisting with recovery efforts in western North Carolina.

The state's relief fund was established by Gov. Cooper to aid in rebuilding efforts after the significant damage caused by Hurricane Helene. In total, donors have contributed $16,820,346 to the fund. Of this amount, $1,272,391.54 has been directed towards immediate needs grants through the United Way of North Carolina.

Initially activated after Helene hit North Carolina, the NC Disaster Relief Fund was managed by United Way of North Carolina as the fiscal agent. It provided small dollar grants and reimbursements for immediate needs to nonprofits working in affected areas. With immediate needs grants concluding, management of long-term recovery funds now transitions to the NC Community Foundation.

Jennifer Tolle Whiteside, President & CEO of the NC Community Foundation said, “We are honored to receive these funds and continue to support the recovery of western North Carolina from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene.” She emphasized that recovery work would take years and that their grants would complement ongoing efforts.

The foundation will distribute grants over time through its affiliates in western North Carolina and may extend support beyond its usual service areas due to the disaster's scope.

United Way of North Carolina has already distributed $1.2 million in grants and reimbursements to 109 nonprofits addressing immediate storm-related needs such as food and water supplies:

- Community Organized Response Effort (CORE) received $10,000 for muck-and-gut services.

- Haywood Pathways Center was awarded $10,000 for a mobile soup kitchen.

- Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) received $10,000 for farm business relief.

Brittany Pruitt Fletcher, president and CEO of United Way of North Carolina stated: "Being the fiscal agent for the NC Disaster Relief Fund has been an honor...These funds have empowered local organizations...Together we are making a lasting difference."

Donations were received from across all 50 states and several countries including Canada, Great Britain, and Taiwan. While direct donations to the fund have ceased, monetary contributions can still be made via nccommunityfoundation.org/helene or unitedwaync.org/helene. Volunteer organizations remain active in recovery efforts; information is available at www.ncvoad.org.