Just in time for Christmas, staff with the North Georgia Community Foundation announced that more than $1 million in COVID-19 Relief grants have been awarded throughout the North Georgia community.
Since April, the foundation has awarded 133 grants in 21 North Georgia counties throughout 11 grant cycles, according to a press release from NGCF. The latest round of grants was given to local nonprofits, schools and programs assisting needy individuals and families directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Michelle Prater, president and CEO of the foundation, said, “NGCF is committed to addressing the urgent needs in our community. Many of these needs were magnified during the pandemic and we felt it was our responsibility to step up and provide immediate support.”
Money from the grants has helped to fund everything from programs such as food banks, free medical clinics and homeless shelters to providing personal protective equipment to local schools. Approximately 96 local nonprofits have also received funding from the grants.
In addition to providing funding for local programs and nonprofits, staff with NGCF designated the latest round of grants to North Georgia Technical College and Lanier Technical College for increased student financial aid.
Members of the foundation created the COVID-19 Relief Fund in March; they decided that all of their grant funding for this year would go toward this fund. Foundation fundholders, community members, local businesses and private foundations all contributed to the relief fund.
“We jumped into action, quickly getting the funding to those organizations working on the front lines, serving the most vulnerable citizens,” said Prater. “We have worked to stand in the gap to ensure that all members of our community have access to the resources they need the most.”
In addition to their own relief fund, staff with NGCF have partnered with other organizations for programs directly benefitting the community. Some of these partnerships include the Community Leadership Coalition, the City of Gainesville for its CARES program, and the Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Poultry Federation and other local businesses for the Recovery Housing Program.
“As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, I ask that everyone consider how they can stand with us and play their part in the fight against this pandemic,” said Prater.
A full list of COVID-19 Relief Grant recipients is on the NGCF website.
