Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund update

The coronavirus pandemic has ushered in a “perfect storm” of health care and economic crises that have not been seen in our lifetime. These crises have exposed and exacerbated the impacts of systemic inequities, especially racial inequities, that many Georgians have been suffering under for generations. Managed by United Way of Greater Atlanta and the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta, the Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund makes grants to nonprofits that are working on the frontlines to support our region’s most vulnerable workers and families. Formed by a coalition of philanthropy, government, and corporate partners, the Fund has received donations from thousands of individuals, families, and small businesses.

To date, the Fund has provided more than $18 million to 321 nonprofits across the Metro Atlanta region.

This pandemic has lasted longer than anticipated, and the changing social, health and economic consequences require us to address these emerging priorities:

• Low-wage workers and renters continue to be the most at-risk of the health and economic impacts;
• An eviction “tsunami” is coming that threatens to displace thousands of families across our region;
• Families, especially Black and Latinx, continue to need financial assistance;
• Childcare centers, critical to reopening the economy, are struggling to not permanently close;
• Low-income students lack the technology and online access and supports needed to prevent widening education gaps; and
• Mental health is a growing concern for adults and children across the region.

As fundraising continues through the response and recovery phases of the crisis and as we continue to listen to and learn from our nonprofit partners, the Fund will adapt to emerging needs as the situation evolves and follow these principles:

• Move dollars rapidly and provide flexible resources to community-based organizations (CBOs) working on the frontlines of educating, engaging, and supporting workers and families impacted by COVID-19 and the broader ramifications of this health and economic crisis.
• Address direct needs. The Fund was created to serve as a rapid-response vehicle to support emerging and immediate basic needs not being addressed through the public sector or by other forms of a safety net.
• Utilize a racial equity lens and target resources to disproportionately impacted communities. Everyone is feeling the impacts of COVID-19, but the crisis is not impacting everyone equally. Fund partners recognize the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak are overwhelmingly affecting communities already facing racial, health, and economic disparities, which will further perpetuate the inequities that persist in our community. By focusing on those most impacted, we are working to ensure these deep inequities do not become permanent.
• Support community-based organizations (CBOs) with deep trust and a history of serving disproportionately impacted communities. As our region deals with COVID-19, CBOs are essential sources of information and services, particularly for communities where language, resources, and other factors create barriers to accessing support. These CBOs are facing an increased demand for their services.
• Trust-based approach to funding. As CBOs adapt to the needs in their communities and evolve their services, the Fund will continue to work quickly to distribute grants allowing them to respond to changing community needs. These grants will be flexible in use and require only limited reporting.
• Maximize the benefit of philanthropy’s role in addressing needs related to COVID-19. Community needs are vast and cannot be met by philanthropy alone. The COVID-19 Response Fund seeks to complement efforts from the public sector, identify places where philanthropy can add value, and coordinate with other aligned and parallel efforts

Additional funding guidance will be available in September.

Photo credit: Marietta City Schools