The communities of Western North Carolina are still reeling from the impacts of Hurricane Helene. We have put together this list of organizations that are working hard to help these communities in their ongoing recovery. We've included arts-related organizations as well as organizations that serve the communities at large. These organizations are all IRS-verified 501(C)3 nonprofits, which were recommended by the artists we interviewed in our documentary Picking up the Pieces: Resilience and Recovery in the Clay Community After Helene. If you are able to help out, please click any of the links below to make your donation.
Since rebranding as ArtsAVL in late 2022, the Asheville Area Arts Council has deepened its role as Buncombe County’s designated nonprofit arts agency—strengthening our creative sector through strategic advocacy, vital grantmaking, meaningful connection, and impactful public art initiatives.
Bakersville Beautification Association
The Bakersville Beautification Association is working with a Design Assistance Team from the American Institute of Architects to develop a plan to make Bakersville, North Carolina, more flood resilient.
BeLoved Asheville's vision is to cultivate a caring community where every individual, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, experiences the essence of belonging, wellness, fairness, and potential. It's mission is to bring together Black, Indigenous, Latinx, People of Color (BIPOC) and people of low wealth to create a more just and equitable society.
For 40 years, the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+) has provided emergency relief for craft artists. Building educational resources to empower craft artists to prepare for, navigate and thrive in the wake of emergencies and disasters, CERF+ remains a dedicated partner and advocate for craft artists and the craft community.
Emerging from within our community as a response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene on our town, residents, and surrounding area. Recognizing the immediate and long-term needs in the wake of the storm, we established this local initiative to provide urgent relief and sustained recovery support to Marshall, NC and our neighbors. Our 501(c)(3) ensures that funds and donations flow directly into the impacted community for relief and restoration efforts.
The Mitchell County Development Foundation was established in June of 2001 with the mission of establishing economic and cultural assistance in Mitchell County, North Carolina. Mitchell County reports from Helene damage show 10 commercial businesses were destroyed, 48 received major damage, 40 received minor damage and 10 had some measurable damage. Many jobs across our country have been delayed or lost completely. For a small rural area, this is devastating. As just one example, our unemployment rate increased from 2.9% in September 2024 to 7.5% in October 2024… and this doesn’t reflect the sole entrepreneur or family-operated business losses.
Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine.
The Spruce Pine Main Street Corporation was re-established in January 2000 to promote economic programs designed to strengthen and expand the income potential of all businesses within the trade area: promote programs of civic, social and cultural nature which are designed to increase the functional and aesthetic values of the community. Spruce Pine Main Street strives to make our downtown highly visible to the public by promoting and advertising a positive image which attracts consumers and investors and instills community pride.
The Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1978 to build a permanent pool of charitable capital for the 18 counties of Western North Carolina including the Qualla Boundary. We work with individuals, families and corporations to create and manage charitable funds and make grants to nonprofits or public agencies in our region. In partnership with fundholders, the Foundation has awarded more than $456 million in scholarships to students and grants to nonprofit organizations and public institutions across our 18-county region and beyond.
Even before the hurricane, rural access to fresh, healthy food was slipping away, as was rural mountain communities’ ability to raise those foods. TRACTOR serves as a unique connector across the local food chain, creating economic opportunities and working to ensure that all community members have equitable access to local and healthy food. Our programs reach over 20,000 food insecure individuals, connecting them with over a hundred under-resourced WNC farmers.
Toe River Arts, first organized as the Toe River Arts Council in 1976, was founded to promote and encourage the existing cultural and educational organizations of Mitchell and Yancey Counties, North Carolina. The arts council’s strong focus on arts education preceded arts in the regular school curriculum. Over the course of 38 years, Toe River Arts has continued to work with Mitchell, Yancey, and Avery County school systems to provide access to arts experiences.
The communities of Western North Carolina are still reeling from the impacts of Hurricane Helene. We have put together this list of organizations that are working hard to help these communities in their ongoing recovery. We've included arts-related organizations as well as organizations that serve the communities at large. These organizations are all IRS-verified 501(C)3 nonprofits, which were recommended by the artists we interviewed in our documentary Picking up the Pieces: Resilience and Recovery in the Clay Community After Helene. If you are able to help out, please click any of the links below to make your donation.
Asheville Area Arts Council
Since rebranding as ArtsAVL in late 2022, the Asheville Area Arts Council has deepened its role as Buncombe County’s designated nonprofit arts agency—strengthening our creative sector through strategic advocacy, vital grantmaking, meaningful connection, and impactful public art initiatives.
Bakersville Beautification Association
The Bakersville Beautification Association is working with a Design Assistance Team from the American Institute of Architects to develop a plan to make Bakersville, North Carolina, more flood resilient.
BeLoved Asheville
BeLoved Asheville's vision is to cultivate a caring community where every individual, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, experiences the essence of belonging, wellness, fairness, and potential. It's mission is to bring together Black, Indigenous, Latinx, People of Color (BIPOC) and people of low wealth to create a more just and equitable society.
Craft Emergency Relief Fund Inc
For 40 years, the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+) has provided emergency relief for craft artists. Building educational resources to empower craft artists to prepare for, navigate and thrive in the wake of emergencies and disasters, CERF+ remains a dedicated partner and advocate for craft artists and the craft community.
Marshall Relief Alliance (Nanostead Foundation)
Emerging from within our community as a response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene on our town, residents, and surrounding area. Recognizing the immediate and long-term needs in the wake of the storm, we established this local initiative to provide urgent relief and sustained recovery support to Marshall, NC and our neighbors. Our 501(c)(3) ensures that funds and donations flow directly into the impacted community for relief and restoration efforts.
Mitchell County Development Foundation Inc
The Mitchell County Development Foundation was established in June of 2001 with the mission of establishing economic and cultural assistance in Mitchell County, North Carolina. Mitchell County reports from Helene damage show 10 commercial businesses were destroyed, 48 received major damage, 40 received minor damage and 10 had some measurable damage. Many jobs across our country have been delayed or lost completely. For a small rural area, this is devastating. As just one example, our unemployment rate increased from 2.9% in September 2024 to 7.5% in October 2024… and this doesn’t reflect the sole entrepreneur or family-operated business losses.
Samaritan's Purse
Spruce Pine Main Street Inc
The Spruce Pine Main Street Corporation was re-established in January 2000 to promote economic programs designed to strengthen and expand the income potential of all businesses within the trade area: promote programs of civic, social and cultural nature which are designed to increase the functional and aesthetic values of the community. Spruce Pine Main Street strives to make our downtown highly visible to the public by promoting and advertising a positive image which attracts consumers and investors and instills community pride.
The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Inc
The Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1978 to build a permanent pool of charitable capital for the 18 counties of Western North Carolina including the Qualla Boundary. We work with individuals, families and corporations to create and manage charitable funds and make grants to nonprofits or public agencies in our region. In partnership with fundholders, the Foundation has awarded more than $456 million in scholarships to students and grants to nonprofit organizations and public institutions across our 18-county region and beyond.
Toe River Aggregation Center Training Organization Regional Inc (TRACTOR)
Even before the hurricane, rural access to fresh, healthy food was slipping away, as was rural mountain communities’ ability to raise those foods. TRACTOR serves as a unique connector across the local food chain, creating economic opportunities and working to ensure that all community members have equitable access to local and healthy food. Our programs reach over 20,000 food insecure individuals, connecting them with over a hundred under-resourced WNC farmers.
Toe River Arts Council Inc