Cary, NC -- United Way of North Carolina (UWNC) is pleased to announce a $4,000,000 distribution to grant recipients in Western North Carolina through the UW Helps NC Fund. This significant financial support has been awarded to eligible agencies working to stabilize housing for individuals and families impacted by the Helene disaster in Western NC, with a special focus on the ALICE population (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). Each recipient will be required to utilize the funds between September 1, 2025 - September 1, 2026.
The UW Helps NC Fund was originally established in response to the growing need for community recovery efforts following natural disasters across North Carolina. The fund is supported by generous donations from community partners, corporate gifts, and kind individuals all over the world. Most recently, the fund was reopened to help communities rebuild and recover from the destructive impacts of Hurricane Helene.
Local United Ways (LUWs) were prioritized within their service areas, and collaboration between LUWs and other nonprofits was strongly encouraged. In counties without LUW offices—such as Jackson, Macon, and Swain—nonprofits were urged to form partnerships with other local groups, including faith-based organizations and government entities.
United Way of North Carolina appreciates and gives thanks to all of the agencies that took the time and effort in applying for this grant. Decisions were not a reflection of the value or importance of the work of each agency, but rather the result of an extremely competitive process and limited available resources.
Congratulations to the following awardees of the UW Helps NC Fund grant:
- Appalachian Disaster Coalition
- Burke County United Way
- Burke United Christian Ministries
- C2Life Foundation
- Catawba County United Way
- Four Square Community Action
- Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley
- HERE in Jackson County, Inc.
- High Country United Way
- Madison Alliance for Rebuilding Communities
- Mountain Projects Inc.
- North Carolina Baptist Men (Baptist on Mission)
- Rebuild Haywood - First United Methodist Church
- Reconciliation House
- The Housing Assistance Corporation
- The Salvation Army of Waynesville, NC
- United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
- United Way of Caldwell County
- United Way of Gaston County
- United Way of Haywood County
- United Way of Henderson County
- United Way of Rutherford County
For any questions about the grant, please contact:
Sally Gordon, Director of Mission Advancement at sgordon@unitedwaync.org.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Sara Carlson, Mission Advancement Manager at scarlson@unitedwaync.org.
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About United Way of North Carolina
United Way mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive. For almost 50 years, United Way of North Carolina (UWNC) has been a statewide organization, partnering with 47 local United Ways to co-create solutions to people’s most pressing challenges. We take a comprehensive approach, listening and responding to statewide needs, including but not limited to, strengthening local resilience and advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security in our state. UWNC bridges and mobilizes people, local United Ways, and resources so individuals, families, and communities thrive in North Carolina. We are committed to four core areas of work: Member Services, NC 211, Disaster Response, and Advocacy.