The Mitchell County Development Foundation’s Small Business Resiliency Fund has announced a third round of grant opportunities. These grants have been made possible by a generous gift from the Truist Foundation Western North Carolina Recovery and Resiliency Fund at the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP). These grants will support Mitchell County businesses damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Helene.
The Mitchell County Development Foundation (MCDF) has already awarded a total of $719,200 via 68 different grants to businesses across Mitchell County, thanks to support from individual, foundation, and corporate contributions.
“Small businesses are the cornerstone of economic recovery,” said Christine Laporte, program manager for the Truist Foundation Western NC Recovery and Resilience Fund at CDP. “The Mitchell County Development Foundation has been a steadfast community member for many years, and the grants and other assistance they are providing are helping Helene-affected businesses rebuild, reopen and thrive. CDP is honored to collaborate with Truist Foundation to support MCDF’s efforts to empower small business recovery and resilience.” —Christine Laporte,
Program Manager, Truist Foundation Western NC Recovery and Resiliency Fund Center for Disaster Philanthropy, “I want to thank Keith Holtsclaw and our Grants Committee for their outstanding work in procuring this grant. These funds will enable the Mitchell County Development Foundation to distribute a third round of grants this summer, providing a critical link to finalizing repairs and reopening for many small businesses. We are committed to continuing this important work and accepting donations and grants as long as the need remains.”—Jeff Gouge, President, Mitchell County Development Foundation
Interested in applying for these funds? If your business was affected by the storm, please visit www.mitchellcountydevelopmentfoundation.org for information on how to apply. Applications will open the morning of July 7, 2025 and close at midnight on July 20, 2025. Grants to local businesses will range from $5,000 to $25,000, depending on demonstrated need, availability of funding, and other factors.
Interested in making a donation to support Mitchell County businesses? The MCDF estimates it will distribute a total of more than $1.2 million to local businesses before the one-year anniversary of the storm in September. While proud of what has already been accomplished, MCDF leaders report that there are still millions of dollars of need across the county, which is why ongoing fundraising for future grant rounds is so important.
Donors wishing to support the foundation’s efforts can make a contribution at the MCDF website. 100% of the funds received will be used to help business recovery in Mitchell County. Donors may earmark gifts for the General Fund, the Bakersville Fund, the Spruce Pine Fund, or a special fund focusing on unincorporated areas (outside of the Bakersville or Spruce Pine municipal limits).
ABOUT THE MITCHELL COUNTY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION: For more than 20 years, the Mitchell County Development Foundation has supported the people, businesses, and community organizations of Mitchell County, NC. The Foundation is a community-based organization that raises tax deductible funds to support businesses in Mitchell County, NC. The foundation’s sole focus now is hurricane rebuilding efforts; 100% of received donated funds will be used to help business owners’ recovery in Mitchell County.
www.mitchellcountydevelopmentfoundation.org
