North Charlotte Today

Carolina Panthers Charities has announced a new grant program to support high school athletic programs in North and South Carolina following the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. The initiative, backed by the David & Nicole Tepper Foundation, aims to assist schools in replacing or repairing sports equipment and infrastructure affected by the storm. Grants will range from $5,000 to $25,000, with funding decisions made on a case-by-case basis. Priority will be given to addressing the most critical needs.

Since 2015, Carolina Panthers Charities has provided nearly $1 million in disaster relief grants for high school athletics across the two states. "Hurricane Helene and its aftermath was devastating for communities across the region, with many high schools sustaining significant loss or damage to athletic equipment or facilities," said Riley Fields, director of community relations for the Carolina Panthers. "The Carolina Panthers have a longstanding history of supporting schools and student-athletes across the Carolinas and will continue to do so by helping fund critical repairs and equipment replacement for high school athletic programs."

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association and South Carolina High School League are distributing application forms to member schools. The deadline for applications is November 1, 2024.

In addition to this grant program, the Tepper foundations have committed over $5 million towards Hurricane Helene relief efforts so far. Tepper Sports & Entertainment is also hosting a benefit concert at Bank of America Stadium on October 26. Both the Panthers and Charlotte FC are involved in ongoing relief activities through various staff and player initiatives.