Sandy Springs Nonprofit Wins Neighborhood Fund Grant

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- A Sandy Springs nonprofit organization is one of 16 groups that were awarded grants by the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.

The organization has awarded $177,500 in Neighborhood Fund grants to nonprofits and community groups to support grassroots projects for local neighborhoods.

Los Niños Primero, which was established in 2001 in Sandy Springs to provide educational programming for underserved Latino children and their families, was awarded a grant to support its Fiesta in the Park initiative.

That program will serve as a community-building fundraiser that showcases Latino traditions and culture to the community at large.

Unlike the Community Foundation’s competitive grant awards, Neighborhood Fund grant applicants do not have to be a 501(c)(3) charitable organization to receive a grant. Typical grants fund civic engagement projects, cultural events, community organizing, neighborhood newsletters, community gardens and more. They are meant to bridge the gap between planning, implementation and longer-term community action.

All Neighborhood Fund grantees are paired with a community coach to provide guidance and support throughout the project period. Because many of the grantees are groups of engaged residents (not formal working groups or existing organizations) the coaches serve a valuable purpose by helping groups bring their vision to action in an effective way.

Grants range in financial size to a maximum $10,000 award. Grantees are responsible for certain reporting requirements including preparation of a final report when their projects are completed.

The 15 additional 2016 Neighborhood Fund grantees are:

• Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF): Atlanta’s leading organization fighting for tenant’s rights, working closely with community members to address substandard housing issues. In Thomasville Heights, AVLF is working through the local elementary school to lower turnover by reducing evictions. The grant will help fund a family event that will begin to develop a sense of community among residents.
• Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta/Centers of Hope Thomasville Heights: A safe, fun and educational environment for more than 100 children living in the Thomasville Heights community. Their grant will engage community members and students to revitalize an educational community garden as a platform for food and wellness discussions, after-school learning opportunities and outdoor activities.
• ChopArt: A multi-disciplinary arts organization based in the Candler/Glenwood community of unincorporated DeKalb County serving homeless youth in middle and high school. The organization provides basic necessities and counseling through in-shelter arts programming and street outreach. Their grant will fund a six-month, four-part community engagement project that includes community forums, youth outreach and mural projects.
• Friends of Tucker Park: A resident-led group committed to creating opportunities for the Tucker community by developing and maintaining 10 community parks, historic buildings, recreational facilities and green spaces for families. Funding will support the launch of a recurring workshop and special events series held in the parks.
• Hartwood Estates Homeowners Association: Established in 1972 as a strong base for civic, educational and economic affairs within this South DeKalb community that was hit especially hard by the 2008 economic recession. Their grant will revitalize common property in the neighborhood, including construction of a pavilion and walking paths.
• Meals on Morgan: A well-established community initiative in Madison through which community members fundraise and/or donate food for a meal, serving approximately 50 people weekly. The grant will purchase protein for the weekly meal.
• Mentoring 1 Morgan: Based in the Morgan County Primary School, it pairs students with community members for a mentor/mentee relationship, including visits to read together, talk, practice soft skills and even occasional tutoring. The grant will fund an annual luncheon.
• Oakwood Trails Neighborhood Watch: Created in 2011 to deter crime and increase police presence within this Clayton County neighborhood, the group promotes unity among residents and a safe environment for kids and families. The grant will support an annual back-to-school supplies drive & block party.
• Sagal Radio Services: Headquartered in Clarkston, it was founded in 1998 to serve the refugee community in metro Atlanta, broadcasting in six languages. The grant will fund the Hear Our Voices campaign, a community-based story sharing program where young refugees interview adult refugees about integrating into a new culture successfully.
• Rights 2 Life Foundation: Founded by Micah Rowland, an experienced STEAM and robotics educator to provide opportunity to Atlanta residents. Their grant will purchase 12 Lego Robotics kits and provide training for students at two Boys and Girls Clubs in Atlanta’s West End and Thomasville Heights neighborhoods.
• The Action Not Words Project, Inc.: This community-led nonprofit helps underserved populations access food resources in Lithonia. The organization operates and maintains an urban garden, provides food and wellness-related resources and manages a green space restoration initiative. Their grant will train teens in the Youth Urban Farm Ambassador program to work in sustainable urban farming and food systems.
• Truly Living Well: Founded in 2006, the organization engages communities in developing sustainable food systems through food production and education, empowering people to grow their own food, make healthier food choices and develop environmental stewardship. Their grant will support the launch of the Pittsburgh Food Co-op, which produces and distributes fresh food to local residents.
• We Love BuHi: The organization works to catalyze and support a safe, attractive, livable, healthy and inclusive business community along Buford Highway in DeKalb County. Their grant will strengthen a growing, multicultural business coalition and community-centered economic development and tourism efforts in the area.
• Grant Park Boulevard Community Garden: Founded in 2014 to create a shared community garden and green space, as well as increase interaction among neighbors. Their grant will fund garden improvements including fencing.
• Little 5 Alive: A community-led group dedicated to maintaining Atlanta’s Little 5 Points community as a vibrant, engaging and safe community for residents, workers and visitors. Their grant will supplement fundraising efforts for ongoing beautification and repairs of the hub of the neighborhood, Findley Plaza.

Grants will fund projects ranging from three to 12 months in duration.

Since the fund was established in 1991, the Community Foundation has provided an estimated $2 million in Neighborhood Fund grants and training to over 400 local projects.

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