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In a significant move to aid those affected by Hurricane Helene, the Duke Endowment recently announced that it has allocated nearly all of the $15 million designated by its Board of Trustees in October for relief efforts. The Endowment has disbursed approximately $14.4 million to various relief agencies in Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina.

Most of the funds have been directed toward two key organizations: the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina’s Emergency and Disaster Response Fund and the Central Carolina Community Foundation’s One SC Fund. The former supports local nonprofits serving 18 counties in western North Carolina. The latter collaborates with nonprofit organizations to provide essential food, housing, and other forms of relief in South Carolina.

Among the grants awarded, the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina received $5 million, while the One SC Fund was allocated $3 million. Additional recipients of funding include  Feeding the Carolinas, AMY Wellness Foundation,Wine to Water: and American Red Cross

Further contributions include $500,000 to the United Way of Greenville County, $250,000 to the Spartanburg County Foundation, $250,000 to the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, $125,000 to the NC Counts Coalition, and $25,000 to the N.C. Network of Grantmakers.

Robb Webb, director of the Endowment’s Rural Church program area and leader of its disaster relief response committee, emphasized the organization’s commitment to the affected communities. “We stand with our neighbors in western North Carolina,” Webb stated. “Our hearts have been broken with theirs. We want them to know that all of us ‘down the mountain’ are working diligently to help fill gaps where we can.”

The Duke Endowment anticipates providing further support as the region transitions from immediate relief efforts to long-term recovery and rebuilding. Charles C. Lucas III, chair of the Endowment’s Board of Trustees, remarked, “We understand that relief is only a part of the equation. In the future, we’ll also engage in the work of recovery and rebuilding.”

As the community continues to heal, the Duke Endowment’s efforts signify a promising step towards recovery and resilience in the face of natural disasters.