ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — United Way of North Carolina has awarded $4 million in grants to organizations working to help families in Western North Carolina recover from Tropical Storm Helene.

The funding, distributed through the UW Helps NC Fund, will support housing stabilization for individuals and families, particularly those in the ALICE population — people who are employed but face limited income and assets. Agencies must use the funds between Sept. 1, 2025, and Sept. 1, 2026.

The UW Helps NC Fund was created to bolster recovery efforts following natural disasters across the state. Community donations, corporate gifts and individual contributions have supported it. The fund was reopened this year to aid recovery after Helene’s destruction.

Priority was given to local United Ways working within their service areas. In counties without United Way offices, such as Jackson, Macon and Swain, nonprofits were encouraged to partner with other local organizations, faith groups and government agencies.

This was an extremely competitive process with limited resources, United Way of North Carolina said in a statement, thanking all agencies that applied.

Grant recipients:

  • Appalachian Disaster Coalition
  • North Carolina Baptist Men (Baptist on Mission)
  • Burke County United Way
  • Rebuild Haywood – First United Methodist Church
  • Burke United Christian Ministries
  • Reconciliation House
  • C2Life Foundation
  • The Housing Assistance Corporation
  • Catawba County United Way
  • The Salvation Army of Waynesville, NC
  • Four Square Community Action
  • United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
  • Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley
  • United Way of Caldwell County
  • HERE in Jackson County, Inc.
  • United Way of Gaston County
  • High Country United Way
  • United Way of Haywood County
  • Madison Alliance for Rebuilding Communities
  • United Way of Henderson County
  • Mountain Projects Inc.
  • United Way of Rutherford County

United Way of North Carolina has partnered with 47 local United Ways for nearly 50 years, focusing on disaster response, community resilience, health, youth opportunities and financial stability.