About IAM
Interfaith Assistance Ministry is a non-profit organization partnering with the faith community since 1984 to provide assistance to Henderson County residents.
Mission
To assist members of our community experiencing crisis with basic needs, in an atmosphere of compassion and respect
Vision
A compassionate community working together to meet the basic needs of all in our county.
Motto
Helping Hands and Caring Hearts
Values
We believe that each person has inherent value, worthy of compassion, respect and dignity, regardless of their circumstances. We will act with respect toward all.
We believe in diversity and nondiscrimination. We will practice these values with our staff, our volunteers and the persons we serve.
We believe that we have a responsibility to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct, fairness and financial practices. We will be good stewards of the resources the community gives us.
We believe that the community is best served when organizations work together. We will collaborate and coordinate, complementing the services of other helping agencies.
We believe that we can improve the well-being of our community by attending to the basic needs of its members.
We believe that as an interfaith organization we are compelled to respect all beliefs.
HISTORY
Established in 1984 by local churches, the Hendersonville Ministerial Association and the synagogue to coordinate crisis services in their behalf, Interfaith is now supported by local congregations, businesses, civic groups, individuals and grants.
Four Star Charity Navigator Rating
Charity Navigator has awarded IAM its highest 4-Star Rating each year since 2019. Our consistent efforts to be good stewards of the contributions we receive along with our commitment to the full transparency of our operations were key factors in receiving this extremely prestigious award.
To see the full Charity Navigator report, click here.
Nonprofit of the Year 2021
The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce recognized IAM as its Nonprofit of the Year in 2021.
This prestigious award is the direct result of the incredible dedication and hard work of our staff, volunteers and board members, as well as the outpouring of support we receive from our donors, faith congregations, community partners and literally thousands of caring individuals who make our mission of serving local children and adults in crisis possible.
Reasons to Support IAM
Interfaith Assistance Ministry (IAM) is a 501©3 nonprofit organization, founded by local churches, the synagogue and faith community leaders in 1984 to serve as an umbrella organization that could review and relieve the urgent needs of any local resident or family. Our mission is to assist members of our community experiencing crisis with basic needs, in an atmosphere of compassion and respect.
IAM has grown into the largest provider of crisis services in Henderson County. We are open five days a week to help as many of our neighbors in need as possible with a week’s worth of nutritious food (traditional or Latino), clothing, financial assistance for rent and utilities, personal hygiene items, cleaning materials, gasoline and bus passes, heating assistance, linens and pet food. We primarily are funded by financial gifts, grants and in-kind donations from individuals, businesses, civic service organizations, congregations and private grant foundations and government grants. All of the donations made to IAM stay right here in Henderson County. In 2022, IAM opened the IAM Thrift Store which provides our first permanent revenue stream in our 40 years of operation.
We are good stewards of funds donated to us, thanks to strong leadership from our Board of Directors and staff. Our overhead expenses are as low as possible because we enlist more than 200 volunteers supported by 24 paid staff, of which only 14 are full-time. Last year our volunteers helped IAM provide more than $1 million in services to our neighbors in need. We participate in Charity Tracker, keep records of all of our services and coordinate with other crisis and human service agencies and programs to ensure maximum effectiveness and prevent duplication of services. We also undergo an annual financial audit.
IAM offers a hand-up to try to help residents experiencing a short-term crisis become stable. We also provide ongoing assistance to residents who live in permanent crisis such as senior citizens living on low fixed incomes (i.e., $700 a month). Neighbors receiving financial assistance are provided with written action plans, budget and spending counseling and referrals to help them get back on their feet.
Interfaith Assistance Ministry has a proven track record of providing responsible crisis assistance in Henderson County. We have an endowment fund with the Community Foundation of Henderson County that provides donors an opportunity to make a lasting difference for those in need through donations to the IAM Endowment Fund. We received Charity Navigator’s highest 4-Star Rating in November 2019 and we were awarded the title of Neighborhood Champion of Western North Carolina by Bank of America in 2021. We are honored to be the first nonprofit in Henderson County to have received this designation, which included a grant for our thrift store and access to continuing education in financial best practices.
You can be confident that your contributions to IAM are supporting our neighbors in Henderson County that are experiencing financial crises. Please contact our executive assistant, diana@iam-hc.org, if you are interested in making a stock donation, a bequest or another large donation such as a vehicle.