Divvying up millions: Nonprofits anxious to apply for Asheville's federal COVID funds

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Local nonprofit leaders are eager to apply for the city of Asheville’s $26 million in American Rescue Plan funding. The city council approved funding categories Tuesday night.

“We were so pleased to see that the city included domestic violence in the list of priorities and that the city council recognized what an important need that is in our community,” said Laura Jeffords, executive director of The Mediation Center.

The nonprofit works with the Buncombe County Family Justice Center to address and support survivors of domestic violence. Organization leaders reported an increase in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We saw people reaching out to us, not just in higher numbers, although that happened, but also folks with more dire, more lethal situations of abuse,” said April Burgess-Johnson, executive director of Helpmate.

“ABCCM’s homeless services are needed more than ever,” said Scott Rogers, executive director of Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry.

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Rogers said the nonprofit is seeing an uptick in homeless veterans, women and women with children who need support. As the homeless population grows, Rogers said extra funding could go a long way.

“It could look like more shelter beds, but it could also look like more of what we call homeless prevention or rapid rehousing,” he said.

City of Asheville Finance Director Tony McDowell called the $26 million in American Rescue Plan funding “unprecedented.”

“I’ve been working in local government for a little over 20 years and it’s definitely the largest federal grant award that the city of Asheville has ever gotten,” McDowell said.

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The city auditor and finance department are overseeing the distribution of the funding. McDowell said the city may hire a manager to help with the process.

“There is a lot of reporting back to the federal government related to these dollars because there are some pretty strict guidelines about how the money can be used,” he said.

McDowell said more information about how to apply for the funding should be released in the coming weeks. The city has also discussed holding information sessions for interested applicants.

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