FROM VELVET BRYANT, THE CAROLINAS REGIONAL PROGRAM OFFICER

DECEMBER 2024

The greeting “How are you doing?” continues to be weighted for so many of our loved ones, neighbors, community partners and colleagues directly impacted by natural disasters. Surviving hurricanes and other forms of disaster are deeply traumatic experiences. Yet, perseverance amidst unimaginable devastation has also illuminated our shared humanity and care for each other that is rooted in the best of where we call home in the Carolinas.

The devastation of Hurricane Helene struck a personal chord for me because my family in the rural communities of eastern North Carolina have been directly affected by previous hurricane disasters. We experienced firsthand the rising floods that swallowed homes, roads, and cherished community pillars. Rapid response emergency assistance and kind-hearted people helped meet basic day-to-day needs as we navigated the uncertainty of the future. I find myself having to dig deep to keep going in the midst of fatigue and grief as our hearts continue to be with all the communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. At the same time, the demands of the moment are fueling collective action across the region.

We are in the early phases of understanding the depth of devastation and cascading ripple effects of Hurricane Helene as we look ahead to continued recovery and rebuilding. Regional insights and sectoral impacts continue to inform short-term recovery and long-term rebuilding efforts.

Collaboration is also happening among philanthropy, community-based organizations, and cross sector public-private partnerships. North Carolina Network of Grantmakers (NCNG) continues to compile disaster relief resources and host partner calls to streamline information sharing and action among philanthropy and other regional partners including the Carolinas Asset Funders Network, Philanthropy Southeast, Appalachian Funders Network, and the North Carolina Office of Strategic Partnerships.

The road ahead demands collaboration beyond an immediate crisis moment. The coming weeks, months, and even years require immediate, short-term and long-term approaches that are interconnected and work together to unlock systems-level solutions for all communities across our region. Accurate and timely information in multiple languages and accessible formats is essential as we continue program and policy advocacy to support immediate relief and ongoing recovery efforts.

The impact of various disasters, including Hurricane Helene, has accelerated intentional efforts to deploy capital and emergency assistance to families, communities, nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and other anchor institutions across our region. The road to rebuild demands all communities become more prepared to weather the immediate and residual effects of current and future instances.

Climate change affects all of us in the Carolinas and across the nation, intensifying the impact of hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, wildfires, and disruptions to electricity and broadband connectivity. This issue is critical for all funders and communities as we work to advance economic mobility and equitable wealth building.

Crisis moments reveal that philanthropy can be creative, solution-oriented partners. Philanthropy can deploy grants and investments quickly. Philanthropy can come together and show up as trusted partners in relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts. We know this to be true because it’s happening in the Carolinas. Let’s work together to invest in systems-level solutions that support the economic stability of those directly impacted by natural disasters and beyond.

Call to Action
  1. Proactively align immediate responses with a vision towards short-term and long-term solutions that promote economic security for households and small businesses.
  2. Invest in multi-prong approaches that center the needs of the community and the lived experiences of trusted partners on the ground.
  3. Elevate collaborative regional insights and cross sector lessons that can be adapted to regions and communities not directly impacted, this time around.
  4. Effectively and efficiently move capital and services to support households, schools, businesses, and communities.
  5. Identify where we may need to reimagine what rebuilding looks like in the short-term and long-term to fortify communities against future devastation.
  6. Activate all the tools in your philanthropic toolbox—grantmaking, impact investments, influence strategies, policy advocacy, cross-sector collaboration, thought partnership, and amplify effective communications.
Additional Carolinas AFN Member Resources and Updates

The Carolinas Asset Funders Network engages philanthropy to advance equitable wealth building and economic mobility. Our regional chapter provides a collaborative infrastructure for grantmakers and financial institutions of various types and sizes to learn, share, and invest in asset building strategies that support the financial wellbeing of people in the Carolinas. We work at the intersection of various asset building strategies including—financial health and inclusion, small business ownership, housing stability and homeownership, health-wealth connections, and economic justice.