The North Carolina Community Foundation is encouraging donations to groups that are working to address immediate health, humanitarian, and safety needs in western North Carolina in the wake of the devastation left by Hurricane Helene.

A wide range of groups are supporting that effort, including the American Red Cross, Baptists On Mission, The Salvation Army and United Way of North Carolina.

You can also donate to emergency response efforts by visiting nc.gov/donate.

The recovery needs in western North Carolina will remain great in the months and years to come.

To support the region, NCCF is accepting donations for our Disaster Relief Fund, which supports mid- to long-term recovery efforts when North Carolina faces a disaster.

The fund will provide grants to nonprofit and charitable organizations working to support communities in western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene.

All contributions go directly to disaster relief and donations are tax deductible.

No portion of the money raised will be used for NCCF’s administrative or operational expenses.

NCCF will also encourage this practice among organizations that receive grants from the fund.

Donations can be made by:

• Visiting nccommunityfoundation.org/helene.

• Mailing a check to NCCF at 3737 Glenwood Ave., Suite 460, Raleigh, NC 27612. Write “Disaster Relief” on the memo line of your check.

Those needing assistance with their donation can call (919) 828-4387 or (800) 532-1349 or email [email protected].

“The devastation in western North Carolina due to Hurricane Helene is heartbreaking,” said Jennifer Tolle Whiteside, NCCF CEO and President. “Our Disaster Relief Fund will support nonprofits in the west in their response in the months ahead and we will ensure that donations to the Disaster Relief Fund are distributed to charitable organizations that can best help people directly impacted.”

The NCCF Disaster Relief Fund’s grantmaking strategy focuses on mid- to long-term recovery efforts in affected communities and does not compete with first responders.

Approximately $5 million in grants have been provided by the fund to charitable organizations since it began after Hurricane Fran in 1996.

After Hurricane Florence in 2018, the fund awarded 153 grants to nonprofit organizations totaling $3.25 million. Learn more about the fund at nccommunityfoundation.org/disaster.