Hurricane Helene Response
As we award grants from our Disaster Relief Fund for long-term Hurricane Helene recovery, we continue to encourage donations to support western North Carolina.
NCCF Disaster Relief Fund
About the Fund
The North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund supports long-term recovery, addresses unmet needs and builds community resilience and preparedness for future disasters. At this time, contributions will be used to support Hurricane Helene recovery and are not being directed to communities impacted by Tropical Storm Chantal.
The fund provides grants to eligible charitable organizations and government entities in North Carolina communities impacted by disasters. The Disaster Relief Fund:
- Supports long-term recovery
- Addresses needs that are not being met by other resources
- Helps communities build community resilience and preparedness for future disasters
The fund is not used to support the immediate disaster response. Instead, it focuses on recovery and rebuilding after the initial crisis.
The Disaster Relief Fund can be activated for events such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, acts of terrorism or mass violence. NCCF’s statewide Grants Committee determines whether to activate the Fund by considering:
- The severity of the disaster
- The geographic area affected
- The needs of communities and the availability of adequate relief and recovery resources
Once the fund is activated, NCCF begins fundraising. All donations are tax-deductible.
(Photo courtesy of Amanda Hilty)
The North Carolina Community Foundation has played a role in supporting long-term disaster relief and recovery since its founding over 35 years ago. A dedicated fund for disaster relief was established in 1999 after Hurricane Floyd. Over the last 15 years, the fund has provided $26 million to support long-term disaster recovery in North Carolina communities. Recent efforts include:
- 2024 – Hurricane Helene: As of Feb. 25, 2026, nearly $22 million has been allocated to support long-term recovery in western North Carolina. $33 million has been contributed and grantmaking is ongoing.
- 2018 – Hurricane Florence: 153 grants totaling $3.25 million were awarded to affected communities.
- 2016 – Hurricane Matthew: 76 grants totaling $768,000 were awarded to support recovery.
How Grants Are Awarded
All money raised is distributed through grants to eligible charitable organizations or government entities supporting long-term recovery in the affected areas.
Gifts to the fund that are restricted in any way – for example, to a specific county or for a particular expense – are discouraged but may be accepted based upon review of NCCF staff to ensure feasibility.
The NCCF Grants Committee determines where and how funds are allocated.
Funding strategies can include:
In most disasters, NCCF’s affiliate community foundations play a critical initial role in assessing needs in the impacted areas. The affiliate advisory boards are comprised of people who live and work in the affected communities. They know the local needs and can connect with grant-eligible organizations and make grant recommendations to NCCF.
Some grants support organizations working in multiple counties or on region-wide recovery efforts. These grants are managed by NCCF staff with oversight from the Grants Committee.
The Grants Committee may elect to support this scholarship fund for students from affected areas whose ability to access higher education has been negatively impacted due to the disaster.
Each disaster brings unique challenges, needs and opportunities. NCCF staff continuously research and recommend new ways to support long-term recovery and preparedness.
Disaster Relief Fund News
More Disaster Relief Fund News
News
NC Community Foundation awards $9M in grants for long-term recovery from Helene
February 23, 2026
The North Carolina Community Foundation has awarded 108 grants totaling $9 million from its Disaster Relief Fund to support long-term recovery from Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. The grants provide funding…
Impact Story
NCCF’s Disaster Relief Fund supports ongoing legal help after Helene
February 11, 2026
More than a year after Hurricane Helene tore through western North Carolina, many of the challenges facing residents are very different. Often it is legal…
Impact Story
Supporting small businesses recovering from Hurricane Helene
January 14, 2026
When Hurricane Helene hit Chimney Rock, Shari Cummings and her family were asleep in the building they had called their home and business for nearly…
Impact Story
Lansing rebuilds strong after Helene with support from NCCF’s Disaster Relief Fund
October 14, 2025
One year to the day after Hurricane Helene struck, the Ashe County town of Lansing welcomed nearly 2,000 visitors, including Gov. Josh Stein, for its…
Give to the NCCF Disaster Relief Fund
All donations are tax-deductible. At this time, contributions will be used to support communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.