Get to Know Your Neighbor

There are so many people in our region that we wish we could meet. And now more than ever it can be harder to get to know new people and hear their stories. That's why we've launched a new podcast: Know Your Neighbor. This gives us the opportunity to have conversations with community members from across our region and share their stories. Our guests include local business owners, nonprofit leaders, teachers, government officials and more. Board member Whit Richardson co-hosts the podcast with our Director of Marketing and Engagement, Alison Geist. Episodes will come out each week on Spotify for now and all podcast streaming channels soon. If you have suggestions for guests, email Alison Geist.

Since March 2020, the Athens Area Community Foundation and United Way of Northeast Georgia’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund has raised more than $350,000. The generosity of our region allowed us to quickly mobilize and respond during a time of crisis. In three months, the COVID-19 Community Response Fund has deployed $268,000 to more than 65 local area nonprofits, organizations, and school systems. We are proud to continue to partner with the Athens Area Community Foundation on this fund both to help the organizations meeting immediate relief needs and those who are and will be providing recovery aid as we move forward.

Answering the Call

When the pandemic started, we immediately jumped into crisis mode to ensure we could provide for our community. We began updating our 211 database quickly and efficiently, gathering information from local organizations to update the database nearly daily. With adjusted programs, updated locations, revised hours, and new protocols, we made sure that when people reached out they received the most useful and accurate information. Within the first month of sheltering in place, we received an influx of 200% in inquiries to our 211. We continue to receive a number of inquiries and are ensuring those requesting help are getting connected with resources locally. Thank you for your support of United Way of Northeast Georgia so we can continue providing resources like 211 to our community members in our 12 counties and more. And remember, 211 is always available. We are here, ready to help.

Mark Your Calendars

Even though we are mostly seeing people via a screen, know that we are still excited to join you for these upcoming events!

Nonprofit Training Series: July 9 at 8:30 a.m., Gregg Pawlowski, Founder & President of BreakThru Fundraising, shares Five Ways to Increase Funding NOW! Register here . The Nonprofit Training Series is hosted by the Athens Area Community Foundation, UGA's Office of Service Learning, UGA's Institute for Nonprofit Organizations, the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County and United Way of Northeast Georgia.

Nonprofit Leader Calls: Our next call is Thursday, July 16 at 10 a.m. Any nonprofit leader in our region can join to discuss relevant topics and hear from local and state leaders about pressing needs and questions of the nonprofit community in the midst of COVID-19. Email Alison Geist if you would like to join and receive information about future meetings.