Supporting Western North Carolina
Joining individuals and organizations from across the country who have come together to help our home state in recovery.
Hurricane Helene’s impact and the devastation it caused to numerous communities throughout western North Carolina has undoubtedly changed the landscape of the state forever. We are thinking of our fellow North Carolinians as they face unimaginable destruction and the tragic loss of family, friends, and neighbors. And though our hearts are heavy, we are encouraged by the quick response and collective efforts of organizations and individuals not only across our state, but from around the country.
Our Response
Blue Cross NC Foundation staff are working to support our grantee organizations and other nonprofits in the affected areas, as well as actively coordinating with philanthropy and other partners across the state. Following the storm, we initiated a combined commitment of more than $2 million to aid in immediate relief and recovery efforts. Specifically, this commitment is supporting:
- More than 25 Foundation grantee organizations located in and working across western North Carolina, responding to their immediate needs as well as their support of relief efforts on the ground.
- The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina which is supporting relief efforts across an18 county region including the Qualla Boundary to ensure that frontline nonprofits have resources they need for the critical early response and continuing recovery efforts.
- The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, which is providing grants and reimbursements to area nonprofits for items such as cleaning supplies, water, and food.
- The work of nonprofit news organizations – both English and Spanish – for the purposes of delivering important information to hard-to-reach communities as well as reporting and documenting the recovery.
With community-based and community-facing organizations working tirelessly to help their neighbors, we have taken steps to not add to the burden of our area grant partners in accessing our support. This includes streamlining the application process (including taking applications by phone) and expediting payment processing.
Grant Funding Resources
A significant part of recovery will require local organizations obtaining grant funding and loans to aid in the rebuilding process and meet the additional needs of the community. It has been inspiring to see the spectrum of response to this need with the creation of new programs and funds joining established entities who are directing resources to areas in need. Local and regional funds soliciting donations and distributing grants are kept up to date by the NC Network of Grantmakers.
In addition, Innovative Funding Partners, a consulting group we have engaged to support our grantee’s resource development over the last year, has put together a Grant Resource Guide to help community organizations in the region find funding opportunities to assist in disaster relief and recovery efforts.
Understanding The Challenges Ahead
We are inspired by the response we are seeing in communities across western North Carolina as community organizations, government partners, and every day people rise-up and meet these challenges and come together in creative and collaborative ways. However, we recognize this is just the beginning, and we will remain committed to supporting recovery and rebuilding in the region well beyond this period of immediate response as part of our mission to improve health and well-being of everyone in North Carolina.
