Funding Replenishes Resources for Crisis Responders and Enhances Local Emergency Preparedness
WILMINGTON, N.C. – New Hanover Community Endowment (NHCE) announced a $1M grant to the United Way of the Cape Fear Area and the New Hanover Disaster Coalition (NHDC). This vital funding is designed to replenish critical resources within the New Hanover County nonprofit community, ensuring effective disaster recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation
and local impacts from earlier storms at Carolina Beach.
“As a community affected by hurricanes, we know disasters most impact those with the fewest resources, highlighting the need for preparation. The United Way and Disaster Coalition have supported our neighbors, but their disaster supplies are running low. They need to focus on recovery rather than fundraising for emergency supplies. We are committed to replenishing these supplies,
ensuring they can concentrate on assisting with recovery while preparing for future emergencies,” said Dan Winslow, NHCE’s CEO.
The NHDC is a coalition of dedicated nonprofits and community organizations focused on disaster relief and preparedness. In response to Hurricane Helene, many local organizations have redirected their resources to support recovery efforts in western North Carolina, including the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, New Hanover County Resiliency Task Force, and United Way of the Cape Fear Area. NHCE’s generous grant will empower these nonprofits to continue their essential work in Hurricane Helene relief while maintaining readiness for any future local emergencies.
“The New Hanover Disaster Coalition is appreciative of NHCE’s recognition of the critical role our partners play in keeping our county resilient and prepared for disasters. This support allows our network to continue its response for western North Carolina service providers and those affected by Helene, without impeding our ability to respond to future needs here. We are proud to partner with
NHCE, United Way, and our large network of partners to ensure our county remains ready,” said Janel Washington, director of NHDC.
“Our community has stepped up to help our neighbors in the western part of the state and the New Hanover Community Endowment grant will allow our partners to continue to be generous without compromising our ability to respond locally.” Said Tommy Taylor, CEO of United Way of Cape Fear Area
The New Hanover County Government has played an important role in responding to the disaster in western North Carolina, deploying resources and teams to assist with rescue, operations, and recovery efforts.
This collaboration further bolsters those efforts, ensuring that local nonprofits, which have also been instrumental in providing relief, are replenished and ready to respond to any future emergencies in New Hanover County. This additional effort by the Endowment helps to ensure that our nonprofits, who have played a vital role in relief efforts, remain whole and prepared for any situation that may arise here in our county.
As part of the grant process, a detailed report on fund allocation will be required within six months. The grant agreement will also be available on NHCE’s website in the next 30 days.
NHCE invites the community to support the United Way of the Cape Fear Area and the New Hanover
Disaster Coalition by donating at www.nhdisastercoalition.org.
For more information about NHCE’s ongoing commitment to strengthening community resilience,
please visit www.nhcendowment.org.
2024-10-15-Press-Release-NHCE-Commits-1M-to-Hurricane-Helene-Recovery-Efforts-
About
The New Hanover Community Endowment’s (NHCE)’s mission is to invest and partner with the non-profit community to address the root challenges in public safety, economic development, social and health equity, and education and to develop impactful solutions for every person in New Hanover County. NHCE was established from the sale of the county-owned New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Novant Health in 2020. From its sale, the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners invested nearly $1.3 billion to benefit the community in perpetuity.
New Hanover Disaster Coalition (NHDC) is an inclusive and diverse coalition of community leaders, faith groups, nonprofits and members
United Way of the Cape Fear Area responds to critical needs, supports life changing solutions and empowers people to lift one another up and prosper together.