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David & Nicole Tepper increase Hurricane Helene relief commitment to $750k
The Tepper Foundation boosts Hurricane Helene aid to $750,000, funding relief in Western North Carolina.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a significant boost to ongoing hurricane recovery efforts, the David & Nicole Tepper Foundation has expanded its financial commitment to Hurricane Helene relief from $500,000 to $750,000, according to an announcement from the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM).
The increased funding represents a 150% expansion of the program for 2025 and will support multiple initiatives in Western North Carolina, one of the regions most devastated by Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic flooding last year.
GEM Bstrong, in partnership with The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation, have awarded 80 grants totaling over $500,000 to small businesses and artisans impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Helene. The enhanced commitment will fund a new round of grant applications for small businesses and artisans whose livelihoods were disrupted by the flooding.
Additionally, the foundation is launching a Rental Assistance Program (RAP) in Western North Carolina, modeled after GEM’s long-term response efforts for other disasters including the Surfside collapse and wildfire relief in Maui and Southern California.
The RAP initiative will provide eligible individuals and families with three months of rental assistance, including first month’s rent, last month’s rent, and security deposit for qualifying leases.
David Tepper, owner of the Carolina Panthers NFL franchise and Charlotte FC soccer club, has been actively involved in community support through the foundation he established with his wife Nicole.
GEM expressed pride in standing with the resilient communities of WNC as they continue to rebuild.
The initiative represents an ongoing commitment to the region as it continues recovery efforts nearly six months after Hurricane Helene caused widespread destruction across the southeastern United States.
The announcement comes after the foundation donated $3M to Helene relief in 2024.