The COVID-19 Community Response Fund recently launched by the Athens Area Community Foundation, has now added a  strategic partner: United Way of Northeast Georgia. This fund will provide financial support to local organizations meeting pressing needs associated with the pandemic in our community.

COVID-19 is only amplifying the needs in the Athens area and across Northeast Georgia, and this fund gives philanthropists in the region a way to contribute to the organizations providing resources and services that meet the needs introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We want to guide and support local philanthropists as they see needs growing. We know that philanthropy always plays a critical role in the community. That’s why we are encouraging area residents to support organizations that work with those individuals and families who are at risk in our community,” said Sarah McKinney, President and CEO of Athens Area Community Foundation.

Donations will be distributed to nonprofits meeting pressing needs associated with the pandemic in the community. The Athens Area Community Foundation will coordinate, with the guidance of United Way of Northeast Georgia and other grant reviewers, the deployment of financial resources as rapidly as possible to selected organizations.

“At United Way of Northeast Georgia, we are dedicated to serving our region and connecting individuals and families with resources to meet their needs. In the midst of a crisis like this, we know that it is even more important to join hands with our area philanthropists and Community Foundation to serve our local nonprofits and provide for those working for the highest-risk and most in-need populations at this time,” said Kay Keller, President and CEO of United Way of Northeast Georgia.

Anyone can help by making a donation to the COVID-19 Community Response Fund. To make a donation, please visit www.athensareacf.org. For more information, please email [email protected]. Funds will be granted to highest needs areas and to organizations based on data and community insights and assessments. The funding will not be restricted to current United Way of Northeast Georgia- or other collective nonprofit-funded organizations.