In response to the recent bridge fire and collapse of a span of Interstate 85, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta announces the Alternative Transit Relief Fund. The fund is a short-term grant program offered in conjunction with Community Foundation donors to help alleviate the financial impact of the highway closure on nonprofit staff, volunteers and other constituents. The fund will provide small grants, up to $1,000, to nonprofits with operating budgets under $2 million to offset additional transit costs that nonprofits now must endure as a direct result of the highway catastrophe.
 
“The highway collapse is an inconvenience for many, but for some it is creating great financial hardship,” said Alicia Philipp, president, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. “We created this fund to help bridge the financial burdens on the nonprofit sector so that they can focus on doing their work, not working around transportation difficulties. Our job is to deal with the issues and services that can strengthen our region. This fund can help eliminate burden, and that, in and of itself, will make a difference for Atlantans. It fulfills our mission to make Atlanta thrive.”
 
Grants can be made to offset the cost of transit rides or monthly passes, to subsidize increases in gas costs or to provide alternate means for travel to and from the nonprofit’s location for staff, volunteers or constituents. The highway collapse is estimated to impact approximately 250,000 commuters each day leading to increased travel times and more commuters seeking alternative means of transportation such as public transit, carpooling and ride-sharing services.
 
Grants will be awarded on an as-needed basis and applications will be accepted until early May or until the fund is depleted. Construction and repairs are expected to be completed on the interstate by June 15. Grant seekers must have or must create a current organizational profile and common grant application in the Community Foundation’s online application portal. Nonprofits must also be located and provide services within the Foundation’s 23-county service area.