Until now, a limited number of large and small nonprofit organizations like the American Red

Cross, Boys and Girls Clubs, Parent to Parent and The

Link Counseling Center, were permitted to compete

for those dollars. For the first time in more than

10 years, United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta is

providing an opportunity for other organizations

in metro Atlanta to seek support for their programs.

On Dec. 7, the United Way started making applications for funding available organizations.

According to Kweku Forstall, vice president of community investments, organizations must meet

the following minimum requirements to be eligible

to apply:

· Be a nonprofit tax exempt organization

that serves people in at least one of 13 counties,

including Fayette.

· Deliver programs that align with United

way's goal of building stronger, safer communities

families, helping people achieve economic self

sufficiency, strengthening communities by

encouraging citizen involvement or helping to meet basic

community needs.

· Utilize genuine community involvement

and ownership in designing and delivering the

program so that the community served is better equipped

to help itself in the future.

"We're searching for results-minded

organizations that engage citizens in their work and

go beyond strictly providing services," said

Forstall. "It could be community-based organization

seeking ways to promote economic development in

their neighborhood, or a neighborhood church

training youth leaders to have a positive impact in their

own community. If you have a program that

mobilizes citizens for action, directly involves people

affected by the issues, increases a community's ability

to problem-solve, and is focused on results, we want

to hear from you."

For more information, or to request an application, contact United Way 211, United Way's

information and referral service, by dialing 2-1-1 or

404-614-1000 from anywhere in metro Atlanta.

Staffed by trained referral specialists, United Way 211

is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Completed applications must be received by United Way by Jan. 29, 1999 at 5 p.m.

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