DeKalb awards $2.7M to local nonprofits that help with rent, utilities

DeKalb County Fire Rescue recruits help distribute food at the giveaway.  (Jenni Girtman for Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Credit: Jenni Girtman for Atlanta Journal Constitution

Credit: Jenni Girtman for Atlanta Journal Constitution

DeKalb County Fire Rescue recruits help distribute food at the giveaway. (Jenni Girtman for Atlanta Journal Constitution)

DeKalb County will give local nonprofit groups a total of $2.73 million to help residents with rent, utilities, food and other emergency needs in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Commissioners voted Tuesday to approve the award, which will be divided among 32 organizations. Most but not all of the individual grants are for $100,000.

When the idea was originally presented by Commissioner Jeff Rader, the plan was to dedicate $1 million in federal coronavirus aid funds toward the effort. But the response from nonprofits — and the apparent need — were so great that officials decided to up the ante.

The chosen nonprofits include:

  • Atlanta Masjid
  • Latin American Association
  • Ser Familia
  • Refugee Women's Network
  • Caring Works
  • Society of St. Vincent De Paul
  • CHRIS 180
  • Center for Pan Asian Communities
  • Our House
  • Africa's Children's Fund
  • Innovation Solutions
  • Diabetes Association
  • Family Heritage Foundation
  • Nicholas House
  • Open Hand
  • National Church Residents Foundation
  • New Life Community Ministries
  • Atlanta Legal Aid
  • Catholic Charities
  • Community Assistance Center
  • Decatur Cooperative Ministry
  • Positive Growth
  • Women Moving On
  • Green Forest CDC
  • Inspritus, Inc.
  • Buckhead Christian Ministry
  • YMCA of Metro Atlanta
  • Step Up Pathways
  • The Salvation Army
  • DeKalb for Seniors
  • Scottdale Early Learning
  • Star-C Corporation