by Lisa Adkins, Senior Associate
When Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina one year ago, it left behind more than damaged buildings and flooded streets—it upended lives. Families were forced from their homes, schools were closed, and thousands were displaced.
Nonprofit organizations stepped up quickly, filling critical gaps—providing food, shelter, transportation, medical care, and mental health support. These grassroots efforts became the backbone of the community’s response. In a crisis, partnership isn’t optional—it’s essential and it’s how we build resilience.
In my Asheville community, schools reopened long before many students returned to their homes, highlighting a gap between infrastructure repair and personal recovery and reinforcing just how deeply disasters affect vulnerable populations. The General Assembly’s recent decision to allocate another $18 million to support volunteer and nonprofit organizations demonstrates how critical nonprofit involvement is to long-term healing.
Collaborating to Build Support
In the wake of a shared crisis, nonprofits recognize that many donors are hurting too. They’ve been affected, displaced, or overwhelmed, and they’re asking an important question: how can I help in the most meaningful way? The nonprofit’s answer lies in transparency, empathy, and communication.
- Be Transparent. Nonprofits are facing a unique challenge: while responding to urgent needs, they must still keep their own operations running. Many lost access to offices, warehouses, and shelters. Fundraising for general operating support remains vital. Without it, organizations can’t keep up with the rising demand or recover what was lost.
- Be Empathetic. Show how donor support—no matter the amount—can be leveraged to make a lasting impact. Even a year after the storm, the needs haven’t disappeared—they’ve simply changed. Whether it’s helping students get fully back on track in school, completing repairs on damaged shelters, or repairing homes in hardest hit counties, every gift still plays a vital role in long-term recovery.
- Say Thank You. Express gratitude for every act of generosity. Celebrate your donors who have shown up when it mattered most.
In moments like these, the strength of our nonprofit sector is not just in the services we provide but in the trust we build. An example is our client, Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM), which coordinates response among 289 congregations and recently collaborated with public and private partners to initiate the rebuild of the Veterans Restoration Quarters.
Recovery is not a solo effort—it’s a collective one. And with compassion, collaboration, and continued support, we are moving forward together. Please call on moss+ross if we can help by being part of your team.