Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation

NC foundations and many others are coming together to support western NC after Hurricane Helene. One way to help: give to The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina North Carolina’s Emergency and Disaster Response Fund. This fund is getting money out quickly to frontline nonprofits in 18 WNC counties and the Qualla Boundary. You’ve probably seen coverage of nonprofits at work in the aftermath of Helene — handing out food and water, making sure people have accurate information, organizing supply drives and more. Nonprofits often have the agility and networks to quickly mobilize and provide essential aid, stepping in to help where others can’t. Many resources have been shared, and all of these efforts are critical. Let’s continue to come together as North Carolinians to help each other through this disaster.

??Today, the North Carolina Local News Lab Fund announced $535,000 in new grants to 31 local news and community organizations. On the heels of Hurricane Helene and days before early voting begins in North Carolina, we’re sharing expanded support for organizations in Western NC, along with a statewide network of trusted communicators. This latest round of grants will provide grant recipients with flexible funding to best meet their communities’ needs, from providing life-saving information during the emergency response to helping people across the state navigate their local elections. A quarter of the organizations awarded in this grant cycle are based in or have a local reporter in Western North Carolina. We’re proud to support trusted communicators across the state who drive understanding and share essential information in this moment and beyond. Read the announcement to learn more about our latest cohort and how they ensure their communities can find, trust, and use the information they need to make decisions impacting their daily lives: https://lnkd.in/eJenYMZe

Love seeing NC FIELD's Yesenia Cuello representing North Carolina on this list from Partners In Health! Yesenia's advocacy began when she was a teenager working in tobacco fields. As a child farmworker herself, she started organizing youth to combat child labor. Her efforts contributed to regulatory changes that now protect child workers from pesticide exposure, a key issue in the fight for justice for agricultural communities. Yesenia is co-founder and executive director of NC Field, an organization that builds power within and gets essential resources to rural marginalized communities. The organization is helping to ensure a strong inclusive rural North Carolina, which benefits all North Carolinians.

As another hurricane barrels toward the US coast, our neighbors in western NC still have so many urgent needs — and a long road ahead to recovery and rebuilding — after #Helene. Many organizations, philanthropy included, are coordinating relief efforts. If you’re looking for a way to support, please consider the Appalachia Funders Network Helene Response Fund. The fund supports community-led organizations, mutual aid networks and trusted nonprofits providing critical assistance to communities affected by the hurricane. Donations go through Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, but donors can designate support for NC in notes. Let’s continue to come together to support western NC with resources needed for both immediate relief and long-term, sustainable recovery. #Appalachia #HurricaneHelene

Applications are now open for the WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund, made possible through $7.5 million in initial funding from the Golden LEAF Foundation. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/e3Cn-GSZ These rapid recovery loans are available to help small businesses rebuild after the devastating impacts of Tropical Storm Helene. Businesses impacted by Tropical Storm Helene & based in one of the 34 NC counties covered in the SBA’s Helene Disaster Declaration Area can apply for rapid recovery loans of up to $100,000 to meet immediate needs while waiting for federal loans, insurance payouts, or other relief. We continue to hear from small business owners across the region and what we know is that our mountain towns across Western North Carolina are deeply devastated. We are working to make sure that small businesses across WNC are equipped with the financial resources and information that they need as quickly as possible. We know a range of funding resources will be required for small businesses to fully recover, and we're here with you every step of the way. By working together, we will rebuild stronger.

As power and communications are restored across more communities in western NC, we're learning more about the devastation caused by #Helene. Helene is the deadliest hurricane to strike the US mainland since Hurricane Katrina. Recovery will take years. Right now, the western NC region is still in immediate rescue mode, working to ensure everyone is safe and has basic needs met. If you're looking for a way to support, today we're highlighting Organizing Resilience, an initiative that is moving resources to local organizers and mutual aid groups quickly and equitably:

Mountain BizWorks announces a rapid recovery loan program to assist Western North Carolina small businesses recovering from the devastating impacts of Tropical Storm Helene. The WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund is being established with an initial $7.5 million in support from The Golden LEAF Foundation. Mountain BizWorks and program partners hope to secure additional funding in the coming days and weeks. https://ow.ly/T0lw50TFQpM #WNC #Helene #CDFI

"It's more important than ever to have access to trusted, accurate information about what's happening on the ground, where to get support if you're affected, and how to help from near and far." For people affected by #Helene, several trusted local news sources linked below via North Carolina Local News Lab Fund ???

Many North Carolinians are wondering “How can I help?” after Hurricane Helene. Over the coming days, we’ll be sharing several ways to support our neighbors to the west. First up: NC Counts Coalition is delivering emergency supplies directly to community-led organizations in Western NC, including those serving immigrants, via trucks and planes. You can donate to their relief efforts here: https://lnkd.in/e83huA-V If you're in the Triangle, you can drop off bottled water, nonperishable food items, and toiletries today or tomorrow — drop-off locations below. Many resources have been shared, and all of these efforts are critical. Let’s continue to come together as North Carolinians to help each other through this disaster.

40 days 'til Election Day. We believe that every North Carolinian, across the political spectrum and all 100 counties, should be informed and empowered to participate in our democracy. This month's newsletter offers helpful guides for NC voters from Common Cause North Carolina, Democracy North Carolina, Enlace Latino NC and You Can Vote. We also highlight some awesome stories from across NC, including: ? An environmental justice victory from Environmental Justice Community Action Network (EJCAN) and Southern Environmental Law Center ? Beloved Community Center's Long March for Unity & Justice ? Enlace Latino NC's coverage of Hispanic Heritage Month ? North Carolina Local News Lab Fund's announcement of more than $2 million for local news in Charlotte ? NC Rural Center's statewide listening tour & how you can make your voice heard Like what you see? Learn something new? Comment below!