WAYNESVILLE, N.C. – The SECU Foundation is pleased to announce the pilot of a new Disaster Response Program to address capacity building for North Carolina non-profits located in disaster areas as declared by federal or state governments.
The pilot began with $55,000 grants for Haywood Pathways Center and Mountain Projects to help with recovery from the social and economic impacts caused by the permanent closure of Haywood County’s Pactiv Evergreen Mill in June 2023.
The funding model of the pilot combines the capacity building element of SECU Foundation’s Mission Development Grant program with financial resources for disaster relief.
The foundation said the program provides each grantee up to $55,000 for immediate programmatic support within a two-year period and is intended to supplement and complement other philanthropic efforts and government assistance plans for emergency economic or natural disaster conditions that may occur in communities of need across the state.
“This capacity building pilot is a great opportunity to support communities experiencing disaster and proactively work with non-profit leadership to develop long-term strategies for recovery,” said Jama Campbell, SECU Foundation executive director. “Company closings like the paper mill in Haywood County create economic hardships with adverse ripple effects throughout the region. Our grant will help ensure that Haywood Pathways Center and Mountain Projects are better equipped to provide residents and communities with immediate support and meet the increased demand for their services.”