ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County has awarded $800,000 to nine organizations supporting recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene in Buncombe County.
The funding, disbursed March 1, brings the nonprofit’s total Helene-related investment to $5,332,547.
“Recovery from Helene is a marathon, not a sprint,” Dan Leroy, president and CEO of the organization, said in a statement. “The nine partners receiving these funds are doing the essential work of keeping our neighbors in this community while they rebuild. From ensuring a family has a safe place to stay while their home is under construction to the literal heavy lifting of building a home, this investment is about providing stability and hope, ensuring no one has to walk this long road alone.”
According to United Way, the funding will provide flexible operational support for nonprofit partners, covering costs such as staff salaries, facilities and equipment. The organizations receiving funds provide services including home repairs, debris removal, private road and driveway reconstruction, and housing assistance.
The funding breakdown includes:
- $100,000 to Swannanoa Communities Together
- $100,000 to PODER Emma
- $100,000 to Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church
- $100,000 to CORE
- $100,000 to Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders
- $90,000 to Valley Hope Foundation
- $90,000 to Hearts with Hands
- $75,000 to Emerge Ministries
- $45,000 to All Hands and Hearts
United Way officials said the 2026 Helene Fund was developed through a data-driven process designed to address the most urgent unmet needs in the community.
The organization analyzed information from disaster case management systems, NC 211, and the Buncombe County Long Term Recovery Group, along with internal urgent needs requests, to identify priority gaps.
Those gaps included home repairs, debris removal, private road and driveway repairs, and rental assistance.
Applications were reviewed and scored by an independent team of community volunteers and recovery leaders using a decision-making matrix. Final funding approvals were made by the organization’s board of directors.
United Way officials said the region’s recovery from Helene could take eight to 10 years. The organization has established a long-term funding strategy that allocates 30 percent of funds to immediate relief efforts, 60 percent to recovery work over the next three years and 10 percent to United Way’s own relief and recovery efforts.
People seeking help with storm recovery in Buncombe County can contact the Buncombe County Long Term Recovery Group through its website. For general health and human services resources or recovery assistance outside the county, residents can dial NC 211.ounty, dial 2-1-1.
