RALEIGH, N.C. (NCN News) – A new report from the North Carolina State Auditor gives high marks to a nonprofits Hurricane Helene recovery effort.
A rapid response report from Dave Boliek’s office found Baptists on Mission, a nonprofit organization awarded grant money from the State of North Carolina to assist with Hurricane Helene relief, followed all funding requirements while completing repairs to homes damaged by the storm.
The office assessed $3 million in State grant money spent by Baptists on Mission on home repairs in Western North Carolina. In its evaluation, the agency found Baptists on Mission “maintained full compliance” with Office of State Budget and Management grant requirements, and adhered to all statutory, contractual, and financial management standards.
“It’s exciting as State Auditor to tell a success story. Baptists on Mission met people in Western North Carolina where they needed to be met, and did so with a sense of urgency,” Boliek said in a press release. “They were able to leverage public dollars to complete hundreds of individual projects, and effectively managed volunteers all throughout the Western North Carolina region. This combination of public funds and focused motivation allows for the type of return on investment that should be replicated moving forward.”
Baptists on Mission completed 472 grant-related home repair projects from February 2025 through October 2025. Analysis shows the average expenditure from grant funds was $6,392 per home repair project. Baptists on Mission management initially estimated its cost of repairs at approximately $20,000 per home. According to Baptists on Mission, while some projects did include additional funding, the nonprofit agreed with the assessment that Baptists on Mission “effectively reduced per-repair project costs by utilizing volunteer labor, securing disaster relief discounts from retailers, and bulk purchasing building materials.”
Grant-funded projects were conducted in Burnsville, Spruce Pine, Hendersonville, Marion, Boone, Canton, Weaverville, and Swannanoa. Baptists on Mission also set up six rebuild centers across Western North Carolina to house and feed volunteers.
Boliek’s office made no recommendations for the entity. The response from Baptists on Mission is included in the Special Report.