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:
(Updates on how the funds were used have been added on June 29, 2026.)
- Appalachian Disaster Coalition
- Addressed major housing repairs, eviction and homelessness prevention, utility reconnection, and stabilization services for ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households still living in unsafe, uninhabitable, or transitional conditions.
- Burke County United Way
- Assisted with home repairs, mold remediation and safety device replacement, building disability accommodation structures like ramps and accessible bathrooms, home furnishings and supplies, infrastructure repair, and more.
- Burke United Christian Ministries
- Offered rent, utility assistance, and Social Security deposit support, helping stabilize households facing overlapping financial pressures. Provided housing deposits, rental and utility aid, move in goods, and support for families experiencing indirect displacement and housing shortages.
- C2Life Foundation
- Assisted 21 families and 50 individuals with flexible support such as HVAC replacements and home repairs, working through local partners across multiple counties.
- Catawba County United Way
- Rental and utility assistance to prevent eviction/shut offs, car repairs, and more.
- Four Square Community Action
- Supported 13 families with move in assistance, home repairs, and appliances needed for health and medication safety, including major structural and heating repairs for elderly residents.
- Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley
- Repaired dozens of roofs and other home structures.
- HERE in Jackson County, Inc.
- Provided funding for housing deposits, rental/utility aid, move-in/home goods, addressing indirect displacement and affordable housing shortages.
- High Country United Way
- Addressed home repairs, water system repairs, access road culvert repairs, replacement of home furnishings and similar unmet needs.
- Madison Alliance for Rebuilding Communities
- Provided home repairs, rent/utility assistance, and more to their community members after Hurricane Helene.
- Mountain Projects Inc.
- Delivered urgent home repairs including roofs, doors, heat sources, and appliances for elderly and vulnerable families, navigating complex funding streams to meet critical needs.
- North Carolina Baptist Men (Baptist on Mission)
- Funded subflooring, finished floor in the kitchen and bathroom, drywall replacement, one finished bathroom, a kitchen with refrigerator and stove, a kitchen sink with cabinet, hot water heater, and mini split heating and cooling.
- Rebuild Haywood - First United Methodist Church
- Helped residents secure stable housing and access mental health care, food, and household goods through strong community partnerships.
- Reconciliation House
- Provided rent assistance to families and individuals whose rent prices went up after Helene due to the loss of other housing from damage.
- The Housing Assistance Corporation
- Repaired 15 homes damaged by Helene through their Disaster Home Repair Program.
- The Salvation Army of Waynesville, NC
- Provided rent, utilities, mortgage payments, housing deposits, and later property taxes. Their streamlined, low barrier process was praised as one of the most efficient disaster responses in decades.
- United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
- Funds helped households remain stably housed or secure new housing by covering back rent, eviction prevention, relocation costs, deposits, and, when appropriate, short-term rental support. Provided home repairs, new furnishings, appliances, and move-in support.
- United Way of Caldwell County
- Provided home repairs and rebuilds for over a dozen homes and provided housing assistance/shelter opportunities.
- United Way of Gaston County
- Provided assistance with rent/mortgage/utilities/food and other services on a case-by-case basis.
- United Way of Haywood County
- Coordinated with partner agencies to provide home supplies, food, and shelter to those in need.
- United Way of Henderson County
- Partnered with local agencies for housing payment assistance to prevent eviction and to repair dozens of homes.
- United Way of Rutherford County
- Worked with local partner agencies to provide new housing and home repairs to dozens of families.
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.