The Penland School of Craft is among four Western North Carolina nonprofits receiving new grants from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC), which has now distributed more than $35 million in Hurricane Helene recovery funds.
Penland School of Craft was awarded $50,000 to renovate its water system, which was damaged during the storm. The grant supports ongoing efforts to restore essential infrastructure at one of the region’s most significant cultural institutions.
This week’s total distribution of $1,035,000 brings the cumulative amount awarded from CFWNC’s Emergency and Disaster Response Fund (EDRF) to $35,432,415 since October 7.
Other grants awarded include:
- $850,000 to Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders for site development to build 40 permanently affordable homes in Black Mountain for displaced low-income families. (Contingent on property acquisition and land trust structure.)
- $100,000 to Gateway Wellness Foundation for home repair and rebuilding efforts in McDowell County.
- $35,000 to RiverLink for small-scale streambank stabilization on private properties affected by the hurricane.
The EDRF continues to provide critical support to communities across the region. Donations to the fund can be made at www.cfwnc.org, with no administrative fees so that every dollar goes directly to relief efforts.
CFWNC serves 18 counties in Western North Carolina, including the Qualla Boundary, and plays a vital role in coordinating regional responses to natural disasters.
