Author: afpwnc.org

As the new year rolls around, many of us make promises to be healthier, more organized, or more productive—classic New Year’s resolutions. However, as we all know, these resolutions often fade by February. Why do so many resolutions fail, and what can we do differently?

How Did This Get Made? is a podcast hosted by Paul Sheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas that reviews some of the worst movies ever made. One hilarious episode reviews the 1984 film Body Rock. Here’s the synopsis from IMDB: “Chilly is just a guy from the streets with a talent for break-dancing. When his wicked moves catch the eye of an industry pro, Chilly finds his dreams of fame and fortune coming true, for better or for worse.”

During one tangent in the podcast where they debate the merits of break-dancing, including how hard it is to perform the moves well, June says, “Just because something is difficult doesn’t mean it’s good.”

So what does this have to do with fundraising, resolutions, and the New Year? If you’ve ever broken your professional or personal New Year’s resolutions, you’re in good company. Most of those failures share one thing in common – we set audacious goals that require a high level of behavior modification and consistency in order to succeed.

While there’s nothing inherently wrong with this, this strategy can quickly become overwhelming, leading us to give up before we can make meaningful progress. Or we make progress but lack the energy to maintain it. But as we learned with break-dancing, something that is challenging does not automatically translate to being of high quality or worthwhile.

Make some SMART goals, create habits, and use your calendar to plan and schedule those actions as reminders (for example, sending a note to major donors). Can you sustain what you commit to this month, later this year, and then next year too? If you are reaching out to your major donors on a monthly or quarterly basis, can you maintain that level of engagement into 2026 and beyond?

Especially in 2025, as our community and nonprofits continue to recover from Helene, consider the value of making small, sustainable goals. One simple goal: attend the monthly AFPWNC programs!

Happy New Year!

Last January, your AFPWNC Board came together for a retreat to plan for the year ahead. While we had no idea what 2024 would bring (and I’m sure Helene wasn’t on our BINGO cards), we discussed why we exist as an organization and how we would lean into our mission with our members. As I reflect on how far we’ve come this year, and how far we still want to go, these three things continue to ring true:

1. We are here for each other. Through our afternoon socials and mentoring program, we are building a community of fundraisers who can support each other. This is more than just professional networking; it’s also about developing personal relationships with like-minded individuals who care deeply about Western North Carolina and the people who call this place home.

2. We are a resource. Through our lunch programs and Crafted Conversations, we’ve provided continuing education and professional development for fundraisers and nonprofit leaders. You are implementing these tactics and lessons learned to empower your donors to care more and give more, which breaks down barriers and creates positive change in our community.

3. We are advocates. The word advocate is from the Latin (advocare), meaning “to add” a “voice.” Every day, nonprofits are giving voice to and working to change issues within our community. In the same way, AFPWNC is advocating for you! We’re in the process of talking with community and state funders to do all that we can to ensure you have the support you need in the coming months as we continue to rebuild and recover.

Speaking of resources, AFP WNC has compiled a list of funding opportunities that could provide support to area nonprofits. You can find it here: www.afpwnc.org/2024/11/16/helene-resources.

What help do you and your nonprofit need from AFPWNC? How can we lean into being here for you, being a resource, and advocating for you even more next year? Please email me directly at president@wildwnc.org with any thoughts you want to share. YOU make AFPWNC what it is, and you are an important part of making AFPWNC what it will be.

Happy Holidays!

As our Western North Carolina community continues to recover and rebuild from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene, many nonprofit organizations in our region are grappling with complex challenges around funding.

Organizations that are directly involved in crisis and disaster response—providing essential services like food, shelter, housing repairs, counseling, medical care, and resource distribution—are under tremendous pressure to secure the resources needed to support both immediate needs and long-term recovery efforts. These groups are not only responding to urgent demands but also working to expand their capacity to serve a growing number of people in need.

At the same time, nonprofits focused on non-crisis issues are facing significant fundraising barriers. With much of the financial support flowing toward disaster relief and recovery, other critical areas—such as education, youth programming, animals and conservation, arts/culture—are at risk of losing significant ground. The challenge is compounded by the understandable need for resources to be prioritized for immediate disaster response, which leaves many long-term initiatives struggling to find sustainable funding.

We recognize and respect the urgency of funding disaster relief efforts, while also continuing to support the broader network of organizations working to undergird resident wellbeing and strengthen our community in the aftermath of this tragedy. Long-term recovery will require investment across multiple sectors, from rebuilding infrastructure to fostering education and community resilience.

Check out regional and state funding opportunities and Helene recovery grants for nonprofits in the detailed list below:

FUNDER: Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC Emergency and Disaster Response Fund)
Website: https://cfwnc.org/grants/emergency-and-disaster-response-fund
Amount:

• Grants up to $25,000 to be awarded to eligible organizations for frontline human services.
  OR
• Grants up to $50,000 to (1) eligible organizations that sustained direct facility damage or (2) eligible organizations whose work addresses the effects of Hurricane Helene focused on repair and remediation.

Description: Grants are intended to cover the extraordinary costs of providing emergency, relief or recovery services for eligible organizations affected by the storm. EDRF grants are not for ongoing operational costs, lost revenue, lost wages, or costs that are or will be covered by other sources. Eligibility for emergency public funding (local, state or federal) will be addressed in the application.

FUNDER: Golden Leaf Foundation
Website: https://goldenleaf.org/helene-relief/
Amount: Up to $100,000
Description: “Golden LEAF is making resources available to organizations to support immediate relief for individuals and families including home repair, addressing unmet needs, and helping transition out of FEMA supported housing programs. Governmental entities and 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofits are eligible to apply. Funds may not be used to support businesses.”

FUNDER: Tides Foundation (Crisis Response Fund)
Website: https://www.tides.org/funds-initiatives/crisis-response-fund/
Amount: Unknown
Description: “The Crisis Response Fund moves quickly in the aftermath of US–based crises to help communities historically denied power rebuild. By responding to emergencies that threaten the progress of Tides’ priority issue areas, we fuel short-term recovery and long-term resilience.”

FUNDER: WNC Bridge Foundation (NOW Grant)
Website: https://www.wncbridge.org/resources/now-grants/
Amount: Up to $10,000 (temporarily paused as of 11/15/24)
Description: “Organizations must clearly demonstrate that NOW Grant funding will be dedicated to Hurricane Helene relief and recovery efforts. These funds are designated to cover the costs of providing emergency relief services to individuals and/or eligible organizations impacted by the storm.”
NOTE: For NOW Grant application questions or to sign up for grant updates email grants@wncbridge.org or call 828.274.6159

FUNDER: Junior League of Asheville (Community Recovery Fund)
Website: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNuUtcxhkPziCmvspQaTavqHinnkwLqTC9ngfoKHsu9vNJrg/viewform
Amount: Up to $5,000
Description: “The fund aims to help families with emergency needs such as food, temporary lodging, and medical care, as well as support for long-term recovery efforts like rebuilding and mental health services. The Junior League of Asheville will work with local non-profit organizations, FEMA, other support agencies, and an internal Recovery Fund Committee to assist individuals, help with neighborhood cleanups, and replenish supply sites.”

FUNDER: Community Foundation of Henderson County (Helene Recovery Grants)
Website: https://www.cfhcforever.org/grants/grantmaking-2
Amount: Unknown
Description: “Helene Disaster Relief, Recovery, and Rebuilding grants are intended to support eligible organizations serving Henderson County and its surrounding area as they respond to the needs of the community and recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.”

FUNDER: United Way (North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund)
Website: https://www.unitedwaync.org/nc-disaster-relief-fund-helene
Amount: Up to $10,000
Description: “The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund will help provide for immediate unmet needs through reimbursements to nonprofits working with disaster survivors. For immediate, unmet needs, the United Way of North Carolina will provide grants to nonprofits or reimburse nonprofits working in impacted communities.”

FUNDER: United Way of Asheville/Buncombe County
Website: https://www.unitedwayabc.org/hurricane-helene
Amount: TBD
Description: United Way of Asheville/Buncombe County has already raised over $5M for relief and recovery efforts in Buncombe County.
“[United Way’s] Board’s Executive Committee met last week and approved a Hurricane Helene funding strategy that falls into the following priority areas: 

•     30% Relief Work – funding to meet the urgent needs of our community
•     60% Recovery Work – strategic funding to address mid to long-term recovery
•     10% United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County’s relief and recovery work

The Recovery stage involves a longer-term, more targeted strategy that will emerge as the mid-and long-term impacts of the hurricane are better understood. We expect this discernment process to begin in December. 

FUNDER: Polk County Community Foundation (Disaster Recovery Grant)
Website: https://www.polkccf.org/disaster-recovery-grants
Amount: Up to $25,000 (Requests ranging $5,000-$10,000 are more likely to be fully funded.)
Description: Funds may be used to provide direct assistance to those in the community affected by Hurricane Helene and/or to provide support to the applicant organization in recovering from or responding to Hurricane Helene, according to the following priority levels:

• Direct storm relief to meet urgent needs of local residents
• Direct storm-related damages to nonprofit facilities and equipment needed to operate*
• Support to nonprofits to meet increased/future needs of local residents resulting from the storm

FUNDER: Community Foundation of Burke County (Burke County Disaster Relief Fund)
Website: https://cfburkecounty.org/grants.html
Amount: Up to $10,000
Description: “CFBC has created The Burke County Disaster Relief Fund for nonprofits in Burke County and those serving Burke County to apply for funding to help our communities efforts in helping neighbors. Nonprofits involved in disaster relief activities can apply for up to $10,000 in funding.”

Sincerely,