The Regions Foundation, a nonprofit initiative of Regions Bank that supports community investments, on Friday announced a series of grants in support of organizations throughout the Southeast and Texas that are helping people and businesses severely impacted by COVID-19.

Two nonprofits in North Georgia are among those receiving grants:

Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE): ACE is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution that specializes in small-business funding and business advisory services. The organization is currently coordinating with clients, government and corporate partners on a variety of COVID-19 relief initiatives for businesses. ACE is supported by grants and other forms of funding from banks, foundations, government entities and corporations to assist in its mission to help underserved business owners. ACE is receiving a $25,000 grant from the Regions Foundation.

United Way of Greater Atlanta: United Way of Greater Atlanta joined the Community Foundation for Greater Atlantato launch the Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. The fund is in place to support a wide range of organizations throughout the area that are helping many people in communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and its economic consequences. The fund is receiving a $50,000 grant from the Regions Foundation.

“Our communities are facing an unprecedented challenge, and, likewise, we are seeing an unprecedented response from nonprofits that are coming together to connect people with vital information, resources and guidance,” said Bill Linginfelter, Atlanta Market Executive for Regions Bank. “Regions is honored to support their mission as part of our comprehensive approach toward serving the communities where we live and work.”

“We appreciate the Regions Foundation’s commitment to small-business recovery and trust in ACE as a partner to help enable it,” added Grace Fricks, President and CEO of ACE. “We have contacted our loan clients and offered payment deferments while also creating an emergency financing option for our borrowers, including women, people of color and people with low to moderate incomes. Our goal is to get through this crisis – together.”

“Thank you to Regions Foundation for their generous contribution to the Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund,” said Milton J. Little Jr., President and CEO of United Way of Greater Atlanta. “Their contribution will go directly to supporting nonprofit organizations and other agencies focused on providing crucial services to our communities, including seniors, families with children who normally receive free or reduced-price meals at school, families in need of childcare, homeowners and renters at risk for eviction, and hourly/low-wage workers.”

The Regions Foundation is identifying additional organizations for financial support, and more grants will be announced in the coming weeks. In addition, the Foundation recently announced it will match, dollar-for-dollar, donations by Regions Bank associates to United Way chapters and Community Foundations responding to COVID-19 needs.