Navigating the Aftermath Disaster Relief

Hurricane Helene and its devastating impact was the leading headline in 2024. Homes and vehicles were destroyed. Days turned into weeks without access to electricity, clean water, food, gas, or internet service. Life shifted from normal to surreal, and for many, that disruption has yet to fully end. Even now, months later, some of our neighbors are still working to rebuild, recover, and regain stability.

Initially, the Spartanburg County Foundation’s mission to improve the lives of all Spartanburg County residents quickly focused on relief efforts. Like many others, we asked ourselves: What can we do right now?

This wasn’t the first time we’d faced such a question. When tornadoes struck our community in 2020, the Foundation responded by establishing the Spartanburg County Disaster Relief Fund Through generous donations, we were able to provide support where it was needed most. The fund has remained active ever since and was ready to begin distributing resources immediately when needs arose again.

Our strong relationships with nonprofit organizations, local government, and philanthropic partners provided a clear picture of where resources could be deployed quickly to help the community. We streamlined our Disaster Relief Fund grant process, and applications came pouring in within days of the storm. Grants totaling more than $350,000 provided generators, equipment for debris removal, housing, food, medical supplies, prescriptions, and household goods.

Today, the fund continues to support long-term recovery efforts.  Our team members regularly engage with local, regional, and state emergency response and long-term recovery professionals, ensuring the Foundation continues to be collaborative throughout community recovery and resilience.

Centered In Relationships

The Foundation’s work to support nonprofit organizations through initiatives such as Nonprofit Connect and Nonprofit Capacity Building Boot Camp helps develop relationships —not just between Foundation staff and nonprofit leaders, but between nonprofits. The entire ecosystem of organizations working to meet the needs of the community is regularly nourished and strengthened. When disaster struck, the connections in place, and the collective willingness to form new ones, helped nonprofits deliver direct services tailored to meet the unique post-storm needs of their communities.

Recognizing that the BRUH Mentor community center could serve as a central hub for relief efforts in Cowpens, the Foundation provided a disaster relief grant that helped spark partnerships between BRUH Mentors, the Town of Cowpens, and local churches. Together, they provided meals for 300 people a day in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Similar scenarios played out across Spartanburg County as disaster relief funds flowed from the Foundation to organizations like the Benjamin E. Mays Family Center (Pacolet), Greer Relief (Greer), Middle Tyger Community Center (Duncan, Lyman, Wellford), Upstate Family Resource Center (Boiling Springs, Chesnee), The Bethlehem Center (City of Spartanburg, Highland community), and others.

In Pacolet, the Benjamin E. Mays Family Center became a key example of this support in action. The Center celebrated its official opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 2, 2024, marking a significant milestone in meeting local needs. The Foundation has been a partner in bringing this place-based center to life since partially funding a feasibility study in 2021. A Disaster Relief Fund grant further strengthened the Center’s impact by helping serve the community in the aftermath of the storm.

“It really wasn’t until the Hurricane that the community saw what we offered and what we are trying to do.”

Jerry Rice Executive Director of Benjamin E. Mays Family Center

“We were able to do our part to help the Cowpens community because of our relationship with the Spartanburg County Foundation.”

Victor Durrah Founder & Executive Director of BRUH Mentor

• Hear more about how the Foundation’s Disaster Relief efforts responded to community needs.

• Learn about how the Spartanburg County Foundation is working with other community leaders as part of the Spartanburg Long Term Recovery Group to address ongoing needs and put new processes in place to meet future needs.