Including what you need to know to apply for a grant from the Emergency Disaster Response Fund
Dogwood Health Trust announced more than $30 million in initial relief funding in response to Hurricane Helen’s devastation across Western North Carolina (WNC), according to a press release.
This funding is in response to short-term and immediate needs and was approved by a unanimous vote of the full Board of Directors at an emergency meeting on October 3rd.
With this first round of relief funding, Dogwood is prioritizing support for local organizations that will help local people and organizations now and in the future, according to a press release.
Dogwood’s initial support consists of three areas.
Helping organizations quickly deploy resources and respond to the urgent needs of the most affected populations and geographic regions. Support for assessment, navigation, and legal services related to FEMA response. Maintaining essential health services across the region.
“Hurricane Helen impacted the people and communities of Western North Carolina in unimaginable ways,” said Dr. Susan Mims, CEO of Dogwood Health Trust. “Our response includes funding for short-term relief and we are also here for long-term recovery and rebuilding. We are working with our funded partners to and provide resources to all of our neighbors in need across the region.”
Emergency disaster response fund
The $10 million lead grant will go to the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina’s Emergency Disaster Response Fund. This fund is designed to quickly provide small grants to human services and community-based organizations across the region.
According to its website, EDRF provides funding to organizations providing emergency aid to those affected by Hurricane Helen.
Initially, grants of $25,000 will be awarded on a rolling basis. Grant amounts above $25,000 will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will be determined based on funding availability, the severity of the needs of the community served, and other sources of support available to the organization.
Grant applications must address front-line human service needs. The website says it is intended to cover extraordinary costs for providing emergency relief services to individuals and eligible organizations affected by the storm.
Deadlines and dates
The website says nonprofits will be able to use a simple and quick process to access the fund, where grants are regularly reviewed and awarded. Organizations can only submit one funding request at this time.
qualification
Organizations applying for grants must:
Community-based nonprofit organizations designated by the IRS as 501(c)(3), faith-based organizations, or public agencies serving storm-impacted individuals and families in the WNC region specified below. . Serving the following counties and regions within WNC: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey Counties ( (including Kuala County) boundary. Organizations with a proven track record of providing front-line interpersonal services in response to demand, or where the storm directly impacted the organization’s ability to provide essential interpersonal services.
Priority will be given to agencies within WNC that serve the most severely affected areas. Once the North Carolina Emergency Response Team completes its evaluation, the EDRF grant guidelines may be tailored to local needs.
What is not funded through ERDF?
EDRF grants generally do not support debt repayment, sectarian religious purposes, partisan political purposes, or individuals, according to the website.
EDRF grants are not for ongoing operating costs or expenses that are or will be covered by other sources. Eligibility for emergency public funds (local, state, or federal) will be explained on your application.
How to apply
If you have any questions regarding eligibility, please contact Tara Scholtz, Senior Program Officer, by email or at 828-367-9913.
You can submit your application through the online application process. If you require technical assistance with the online grants system, please contact Diane Crisp, Grants Manager, via email or 828-367-9904. After the application is received, the applicant will be notified by email.
If you are having trouble connecting, please email or call Alana Nottage (828-254-4960) with the following information: Name of organization and county receiving service. Request amount: $25,000 or less. Whether the request is for a direct service or to address an impact on the organization’s ability to provide a direct service. Please briefly describe the local situation and needs. This also includes the main weather-related impacts on the people served and the organization’s disaster-related services supported by the grant.
Applications will be reviewed expedited and funding decisions will be announced regularly.
A simple online grant termination report is required to confirm grant usage and results. Instructions will be provided in the grant award notification.
Other dogwood investments
More than $20 million will be donated to support direct service nonprofits and organizations with deep connections to local communities across Western North Carolina. These funds are used to support the needs of our communities and the employees who work tirelessly at these organizations every day.
1. Deploy resources and address the urgent needs of the most affected people and geographic areas
MANNA FoodBank – Supports food distribution, disaster response and ongoing operations. Although MANNA’s main location was destroyed by the flood, we remain active in meeting the needs of our community at locations such as the WNC Farmers Market. Impact Health – Supports the daily operations of 60 human services organizations (HSOs) across the region. Many focus on purchasing food from local farmers and distributing it to people in need. AMY Wellness Foundation and Gateway Wellness Foundation – Supports and re-funds local recovery efforts in Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey Counties (AMY) and Burke, McDowell, Polk, and Rutherford Counties (Gateway). WNC Community – Support local farmers and help coordinate the distribution of fresh, nutritious food to local community members.
2. Assessment, Navigation and Legal Services for FEMA Response
Pisgah Legal Services – Helps residents access legal services and process FEMA applications throughout WNC. Because applications can be complex, it is important that affected community members receive legal assistance from local Pisgah officials in their communities. Pisgah now has offices throughout WNC and a mobile justice bus as a result of funding from former Dogwood. Centralina Foundation – Assists the WNC Council of Governments in coordinating FEMA responses and assessments of local government needs.
3. Maintaining essential health services
WNC’s seven regional Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) – support the continued operations of local residents so they can access the clinical care they need across WNC.
In the coming weeks, Dogwood plans to announce additional funding for recovery and recovery efforts, including addressing the needs of small businesses, according to a press release.
rash rash
Mebane Rash is the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of EducationNC.
