Community Responds to Help Those Affected by Hurricane

When Hurricane Florence hit the Carolina coast in September, thousands of residents were forced to flee the dangerous storm and were left with the daunting task of rebuilding. Foundation For The Carolinas created the Hurricane Florence Response Fund to offer relief to those in greatest need.  

Generous donors in our region and beyond rallied to raise money for the fund. From the $1 million gift from Michael Jordan to the $75 gift from a Brooklyn, N.Y., bake sale – and everything in between – a diverse group of people came together to help those affected by the disaster. Local retailers and restaurants also did their part by hosting fundraisers and holding auctions to support the fund.

Thanks to the generosity of the contributors, FFTC has awarded more than $2.25 million to nonprofits aiding victims of the hurricane.

“I’m thrilled that our fund helped the process of recovery,” said FFTC President and CEO Michael Marsicano. “It’s a testament to the generosity of the businesses and individuals who donated to our fund that we can continue to aid those in need.”

Most recently – in April 2019 – the fund announced a second round of grants. Twenty-six nonprofits were awarded more than $1.5 million, with a focus on short-term and long-term rebuilding projects. Grants were awarded to the following organizations serving hurricane victims:

• $50,000 to All Hands and Hearts for roof repairs in its community
• $25,000 to Breaking Barriers, Catching Hope for integrated mental health services
• $100,000 to Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity, Inc. for repair and restoration of hurricane-damaged homes
• $100,000 to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh for access to safe and stable housing for hurricane victims
• $8,000 to Communities in Schools of Robeson County to provide trauma-informed care training
• $50,000 to Dillion County Long Term Recovery Group for roof repair and home replacement 
• $50,000 to Domestic Violence Shelter & Services Inc. for shelter’s roof repair
• $15,000 to Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries to help families return home to a safe environment
• $30,000 to Easter Seals UCP North Carolina Inc. to rebuild the Wilmington Children’s Center
• $50,000 to Fayetteville Urban Ministry for auxiliary support and disaster relief
• $72,000 to Fuller Center Disaster ReBuilders for repairs to hurricane-damaged homes
• $35,000 to Good Shepherd Ministries of Wilmington for facility roof replacement
• $25,000 to the Green Chair Project to provide household furnishings for hurricane victims
• $50,000 to Harvest Hope Food Bank for food distribution
• $30,000 to J/P HRO for emergency response team creation
• $100,000 to KaBOOM for playground creation in Eastern NC
• $100,000 to Legal Aid of North Carolina for toll-free legal-aid hotline for hurricane victims
• $50,000 to Lutheran Family Services for household furnishings for hurricane victims
• $10,000 to Migrant Education Program Public Schools of Robeson County for bedding replacement
• $20,000 to Onslow Community Outreach for roof, ceiling and floor repairs to three facilities
• $100,000 to Partnership for Children of Cumberland County for Family Resource Center repair
• $100,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina for creation of a disaster center for food banks
• $100,000 to Sustainable Sandhills for mold remediation and prevention in hurricane-damaged homes 
• $100,000 to United Way of the Cape Fear Area for mold remediation and repairs to 58 damaged homes
• $100,000 to Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry for emergency repairs in the community
• $52,000 to World Central Kitchen for food distribution

In November 2018, FFTC announced the initial set of grants from the Hurricane Florence Response Fund – $750,000 to 20 organizations – with a focus on short-term relief efforts. Grants were awarded by a committee to the following nonprofits:

• $50,000 to All Hands and Hearts for stabilizing flooded households
• $25,000 to Breaking Barriers, Catching Hope for mental health recovery
• $46,000 to Brigade Boys & Girls Club to repair youth center
• $20,000 to Brunswick County Habitat for Humanity for shelter and home repair
• $50,000 to Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity, Inc., for home repair
• $10,000 to Communities in Schools of Robeson County for holiday celebrations and gifts for disaster-affected students
• $35,000 to Connections of Cumberland County to maintain or obtain housing
• $35,000 to Fayetteville Urban Ministry for relief and home repair
• $25,000 to Food Bank of the Albemarle for food aid
• $50,000 to Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina for food aid
• $55,000 to Fuller Center Disaster ReBuilders for home rebuilding
• $25,000 to Harvest Hope Food Bank for food aid
• $22,500 to Humane Society of Charlotte, Inc., for animal care
• $25,000 to J/P HRO for roof repairs
• $50,000 to Lowcountry Food Bank for food aid
• $50,000 to NECHAMA Jewish Response to Disaster for recovery in Horry County
• $30,000 to Onslow Women’s Center for shelter renovation
• $25,000 to SBP, Inc., to aid recovery efforts
• $50,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina for food aid
• $75,000 to Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry for housing rehab

Watch a short documentary about our Hurricane Florence Relief Fund and the nonprofits, people and families it has helped: