
News & Events
Scott Buchanan to Retire as CEO of WNC Bridge Foundation After Decades of Service to Western North Carolina
Scott Buchanan, President and CEO of WNC Bridge Foundation, has announced his retirement after more than three decades of leadership in Western North Carolina. His last day with the Foundation will be December 31, 2025.
“I am deeply honored to have spent the past 30 years working alongside so many dedicated people to support the health and well-being of our neighbors across Western North Carolina,” said Buchanan. “The relationships built and the lives touched through this work have been the most meaningful part of my career….


Comfort That Counts: A Grateful Thanks to Tuck and Howell
Family-owned company donates 11 HVAC units to support disaster relief.

Graham County Builds for Community Wellness
Last month we featured members of the Graham County, NC task force leading the visionary development of the fitness center complete with natatorium, workout rooms, elevated walking track and other fitness supports currently needed in the community.

Grow NC – WNC Philanthropy May 1 Convening
NC’s philanthropic community mobilized quickly in response to Hurricane Helene to meet the immediate needs of the entire western region of North Carolina, and particularly 18 of the state’s westernmost counties and the Qualla Boundary.

Cash Support for Helene Recovery
WNC Bridge is partnering with GiveDirectly and Propel to provide direct financial assistance to households in Avery, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, and Yancey Counties to support Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.

Donors Helping Families Rebuild After Trauma
In the heart of Western North Carolina, where resilience meets compassion, our Community Initiatives advocates are changing lives one connection at a time.

Graham County Leaders Unite to Build Community Fitness Center
With guidance from Partnerships Officer Sara Coplai and support from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond’s rural investment collaborative, this ambitious project is moving from vision to action.

Third Annual WNC Nonprofit Community Yard Sale
Join us for a fun and meaningful day of shopping at our Third Annual Nonprofit Community Yard Sale.

Women’s History Spotlight: Dr. Adelaide Key
Dr. Adelaide Key’s lasting contributions continue to shape and inspire Rathbun House.

Reliable Transportation for a WNC Family
When a grandmother’s only vehicle began to fail, support from our Greatest Needs Fund helped keep her family moving forward.

Rural Connections: Overnight Success, 10 Years in the Making
After years of hard work and dedication, the Rural Connections for Elders project is making a lasting difference for older adults and caregivers.

Neighborhood Partnership Milestone
Shiloh Community Development Corporation will support local residents and families.

Nonprofit Yard Sale: Reserve Your Spot Today
Join us for an opportunity to raise funds, connect with the community, and showcase your nonprofit’s mission at our annual WNC Nonprofit Yard Sale!

Helene Recovery: Community Initiatives Repairs Damaged Roof
WNC Bridge is helping residents rebuild and restore safety after Hurricane Helene through its Community Initiatives program.

Launch of Rural Connections for Elders Partnership
The Rural Connections for Elders partnership supports seniors and caregivers in rural Western North Carolina.

2025 IMPACT Grant Cycle Now Open
Our 2025 IMPACT grant cycle is now open.

Scholarship Spotlight
We were excited to hear from Emma, a 2022 WNCBF Health Scholarship recipient from Hayesville, who is passionate about rural healthcare.

Stairlift Helps Restore Safety
Shoshana received a stairlift after recovering from multiple falls, thanks to our Greatest Needs Fund.

WNCBF Selected for Community Investment Training
WNCBF has been selected to participate in the 2025 Community Investment Training through the Rural Investment Collaborative initiative.

Health Haven With Jazmyne: Mental Health After the Storm
The holidays are a great time to check on loved ones and offer support.

Reopening After Hurricane Helene: A Community’s Resilience
From the tireless efforts of staff and volunteers to the outpouring of support from customers and neighbors, our retail operations are back open.

Back on the Road After Helene
Through our Community Initiatives, Sara’s vehicle received vital repairs, offering much-needed support after Helene.

NOW Grants – Hurricane Helene Relief: Update 2
WNC Bridge Foundation awards NOW Grant Hurricane Helene Relief funding to 88 organizations, distributing a total of $849,561 to support initial recovery efforts.

Health Haven with Jazmyne: Update 5
As colder weather sets in, this edition focuses on safely using heating resources like wood stoves or generators.

NOW Grants – Hurricane Helene Relief Update
As of October 24, 2024, WNC Bridge Foundation has awarded over $607,000 in NOW Grants – Hurricane Helene Relief to 63 organizations, providing crucial support to help our communities recover.

Flood Recovery Underway at our Thrift & Estate Store in Biltmore Village
During Hurricane Helene, our retail operations building in Biltmore Village was hit hard, with 14 inches of floodwater filling the space and leaving behind a thick layer of mud.

Bridging the Sound Gap
Keelin, a fifth grader in the McDowell School District, has been navigating the challenges of congenital deafness for the past five years with the help of a cochlear implant.

Health Haven with Jazmyne: Update 4
In light of recent events, I want to offer some helpful tips on safely addressing mold after flooding.

Relief and Recovery
Our Board of Directors has approved an initial $1.5 million in funding to support nonprofits and individuals in their immediate recovery efforts following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene.

Cancelled: Rathbun House 30th Anniversary Celebration
Rathbun House’s 30th Anniversary Celebration has been cancelled due to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Health Haven with Jazmyne: Update 3
The Green and Healthy Homes Initiative promotes a “whole-house strategy.” This month we will dive into the importance of maintaining a “Pest-Free” and “Contaminant-Free” home.

From Background Noise to Front Row Focus
Katelyn’s classroom experience has been transformed thanks to Children’s Services Fund.

Big Hearts, Big Impact: NOW Grant Awarded to Clay County Hearts for Kids and Seniors
Clay County Hearts for Kids and Seniors will use NOW Grant funds to cover children’s sports registration fees, school expenses, and other essentials that help children thrive.

Brighter Days Grief Camps
Carolina Caring, with sponsorship support from WNC Bridge, recently hosted two grief camps in Burke and McDowell Counties.

Children’s Services Fund Empowers Young Boy with Custom Wheelchair
Thanks to the generous support of the Children’s Services Fund, WNC Bridge Foundation was able to provide Charles with a custom-fitted, self-propelled wheelchair.

Health Haven with Jazmyne Update 2
The Green and Healthy Homes Initiative promotes a “whole-house strategy.” This month, we will discuss “Safe” and “Well-Ventilated.”

Driving Community Impact
What started as a gathering of like-minded car lovers has grown into a powerful force for good.