WNC Bridge Foundation recently awarded a partnership grant to the Appalachian Design Center, a program of MountainTrue, to support Hurricane Helene recovery and resilience efforts in Western North Carolina.

Appalachian Design Center (ADC) is leading community-driven design initiatives to assist communities impacted by the devastating hurricane, focusing on immediate recovery needs and long-term resilience planning against future disasters. ADC is collaborating with residents and businesses to design resilience hubs, flood mitigation strategies, and rebuild housing in less vulnerable areas while also developing plans to secure state and federal recovery funds to advance this vital work.

This funding from WNC Bridge Foundation will allow ADC to expand its work, engaging with additional communities in Madison and Henderson counties to provide critical design services. MountainTrue, through ADC, is mobilizing a team of over 100 volunteer architects, engineers, landscape architects, and planners to contribute their expertise to these recovery and resilience projects.

The grant aligns with the Foundation’s mission to support nonprofits addressing critical needs in the region, particularly those focused on Helene recovery within the 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary of WNC.  Our 2025 IMPACT Grant cycle prioritizes organizations working to rebuild and strengthen communities in the aftermath of the storm.

The collaboration between MountainTrue, its Appalachian Design Center, and WNC Bridge Foundation exemplifies the power of local partnerships in driving meaningful change and building a more resilient future for Western North Carolina in the face of ongoing challenges and the threat of future natural disasters.