Funding for Recovery
Grants
Grant support is an important pillar of a robust economic recovery. Discover current opportunities for small businesses and apply below.
WNC Small Business Recovery Grant Initiative
Dogwood Health Trust has invested a $10 million lead grant to create the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative (WNCSBI), led by Appalachian Community Capital (ACC). The grant program offers immediate relief grants up to $25,000 to very small businesses in Dogwood’s 18 counties that experienced physical damage from the storm and have less than $1 million in annual revenue.
Key Information
Deadlines:
- Application now open on the ACC website
- Apply by November 27 to be considered in Round 1 -- we encourage you to apply as soon as you can. Applicants that advance to the second round of evaluation will be contacted to provide additional information about their business.
Eligible Counties (DHT 18 county service area):
- For-Profit businesses physically located in the Qualla Boundary and the following counties in Western North Carolina: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey.
Small Business Hurricane Recovery Grant Program
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has launched the Small Business Hurricane Recovery grant program in partnership with American Express to support small businesses impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Key Information
The program will provide $5 million in funding, distributing $5,000 grants to 1,000 eligible small businesses across the Southeast to support their recovery and help them build resilience against future disasters.
Deadlines:
- Eligible small businesses can apply now until Sunday, November 17, 2024, at 11:59pm ET.
Eligible Counties:
- Located in SBA disaster-declared counties
Always Asheville Fund
Explore Asheville has established the Always Asheville Fund to help small independent travel and hospitality businesses throughout Asheville and Buncombe County reopen after the devastating impacts and aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Assisting our small businesses with emergency grants will aid in part to sustain this deeply rooted, creative community that we all love.
Key Information
The Always Asheville Fund will provide emergency microgrants ($5,000 to $10,000) that can be used for operational or re-opening expenses required for businesses to reopen to the public.
Deadlines:
- Application now open at Explore Asheville
- Application Deadline: November 11, 2024, 5 p.m.
- Award Notifications Issued: November 22, 2024
Eligible Counties:
- Businesses must be physically located within Buncombe County. Click to view additional eligibility requirements.
WNC Strong: Rebuilding Together Grants
More information coming soon. Join the Interest List below.
Key Information
Check back - details to come.
Additional Grants Available
Grant funding is a key part of Western North Carolina's recovery, and more opportunities are being made available each day. We'll continue updating these lists with grants by category and location to find the funds applicable to your business and eligibility.
Grants by County
Grants for Artists and Creatives
AIGA Asheville - designer support relief grant
Artists' Fellowship - emergency grants for professional visual fine artists
ArtsAVL Emergency Relief Grants - $500 grants for artists impacted by Hurricane Helene
Craft Futures Fund - $500 emergency grants for craft artists impacted by Hurricane Helene
CERF+ Emergency Relief Grants - craft artist emergency relief grants
Diverse Books - emergency grants for writers
MusicCares - disaster relief grants for professional musicians
Grants for Food and Farm Businesses
We are deeply grateful to our funders for making this support possible
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WNC Strong is a collective of partners who love Western North Carolina:
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To join this group of collaborative partners, please email Christine Laucher at christine@mountainbizworks.org.