In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Western North Carolina (WNC) faces a significant recovery journey. To ensure ongoing support for those impacted, the WNC Long Haul - Recovery and Resilience Fund has been established to deliver sustained assistance to key areas central to the region’s identity: Culture & Arts, Local Business, and Long-Term Individual Support. This fund, founded by Asheville native Rachel Dudasik and managed as a Donor Advised Fund through the Community Foundation of WNC (CFWNC), prioritizes a structured, adaptable approach to WNC’s recovery.
Meeting Long-Term Needs through Phased Support
The fund’s grants will respond to the evolving needs of the community, with assessments and disbursements planned at critical milestones—3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years post-storm. This approach ensures resources are directed where they are most critically needed, helping the community not only to recover but to thrive.
“Right now, support is coming from all directions, but when the spotlight fades and there are no longer benefit concerts every week, we’ll still need resources to rebuild. The saying ‘save some for a rainy day’ has never felt more relevant,” shared Dudasik. “This fund is about ensuring that WNC can recover and also preserve what makes us special—the people, the culture, the craft. I want my friends who are displaced to return to something they still recognize once the emergency funds trickle away.”
Supporting the Arts and Music Community
The local arts and music communities, both cornerstones of WNC’s culture and economy, have been among the hardest hit. “The impacts of Helene on Western North Carolina are so broad and devastating—even a month out, we’re still assessing the damages,” noted Josh Blake, an Asheville-based musician, producer, engineer, and co-founder of IamAVL. “The recovery efforts aren’t just going to need support today, this week, or this month, but for many years to come. As a musician, I know our industry has gone through major setbacks. The loss of some of our favorite venues, gigs, and events has impacted not only musicians but also our promoters, venues, and production workers. Bringing the local music scene back to its pre-Helene magic will take a long time, and it will need funds like this one to support the rebuild.”
Jeff Whitworth, talent buyer, event manager, and owner of Asheville-based Worthwhile Sounds, echoes this sentiment, adding, "As we've all been living minute to minute and day to day during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, it's also important that we keep an eye towards the future. While countless relief efforts are currently helping restore our sense of stability, the long-term impact on our community is something that will define our full recovery. The WNC Long Haul Fund will provide long-term relief, ensuring our community has the necessary resources for years to come as we continue to rebuild."
A Partnership Built on Community Trust
Rachel Dudasik, a WNC native with over a decade of nonprofit experience, recognized CFWNC as the ideal partner for this fund. “It didn’t make sense to create a new 501(c)(3) when so many vital organizations are working tirelessly now,” she explained. “My goal was to create a ‘savings account’ for groups that will need a boost in the future. CFWNC is well-positioned to work alongside these causes in a way that’s transparent and trusted.”
Dudasik’s family history and extensive community involvement have deeply influenced the fund’s mission. Born and raised in Marshall, and spending her young adulthood in Asheville, Dudasik has over ten years of experience in the nonprofit sector and has transitioned into roles focused on community engagement and philanthropy, including her work with Wicked Weed Brewing and as part of the management team for AVLFest, a celebrated local music festival. This blend of professional and personal investment in WNC’s resilience shaped her vision for the fund. Her mother, Leigh Pettus, who has dedicated over thirty years to the nonprofit sector and was deployed with FEMA to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, reinforced Rachel’s commitment to the value of long-term investments for meaningful recovery.
Preserving WNC’s Identity Through Every Phase of Recovery
With an estimated $53 billion in damages across North Carolina, the need for long-term support in the area is clear. The WNC Long Haul Fund seeks to offer continuity when immediate resources wane, prioritizing funding for cultural resilience and local business sustainability. As Dudasik emphasized, “It’s important to support all our favorite bars, musicians, and artists a year from now.”
For donations to the WNC Long Haul Fund and continued updates, please visit the WNC Long Haul Fund donation page.
For more information, visit their Facebook or Instagram pages, or CFWNC.
