MLK Days of Service
Kahiah Polidore
Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024
Events, ATL Community
Tim Adkins
Hands On Atlanta Week Makes Big Impact

For the 2023 edition of Hands On Atlanta Week, presented by Delta Air Lines, more than 2,500 volunteers supported over 50 nonprofits and schools at 250 projects! The focus for the week prioritized projects around our three strategic impact areas - Food Security, Educational Equity and Environmental Sustainability. Check out all the impact in this recap.

Tim Adkins
Thousands of volunteers pack 1.5 million meals ...

Over the course of just 2 days, close to 6,000 volunteers came together to pack almost 1.5 million meals that will be distributed here locally in Metro Atlanta. Hands On Atlanta was there with support staff volunteers to ensure the Million Meal Pack at State Farm Arena and the 9/11 Day of Remembrance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium hit their meal packing goals. Learn more about these fun and meaningful events and how you can get involved in our fight against food insecurity.

Events
Tim Adkins
Make the Assist | Help1 million meals get packed

The Atlanta Hawks are rallying the Atlanta community to pack more than 1 million meals for Georgia families facing food insecurity. The Million Meal Pack happens July 16 at State Farm Arena and we need about 200 Support Staff volunteers to help ensure the meals get packed so families get fed.

ATL Community, Events
Tim Adkins
Make a Difference with DECA

DECA is a nonprofit student association that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management, and they will be hosting their annual International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Atlanta in April. DECA is bringing 20,000 high school students to Atlanta for the event, and they need more than 1,000 VOLUNTEERS to participate as judges for career-related competitive events at the Georgia World Congress Center on April 24 and/or 25.

Nonprofits

Kaboom! Play Everywhere Challenge Comes to ATL

A couple weeks ago Kaboom! announced their Southeast Play Everywhere Challenge with a kick-off event, right here in Atlanta. They provided general info and best practices for a successful application (their giving away $720,000 in grants to nonprofits in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and Miami) and our team was there to learn everything so you'll have a great shot at a successful application. Hopefully this is helpful and encourages you to apply. Good luck!

HOW IT WORKS

Kaboom! is now accepting applications for grants that integrate “play” into everyday life and unexpected PLAYces - sidewalks, vacant lots, bus stops, open streets and beyond - encouraging more families to get active and play together.

Grants will be distributed for projects ranging from $2,ooo - $30,000 - noting that the smaller grants (less than $10,000) will have a much higher chance of being accepted.

SUBMITTING A GREAT APPLICATION

You’ll want to include the following details in your application:

  • Who your project will serve
  • Specifics around how kids and families could play more
  • Where the project would take place
  • Get granular here. Not just the city/neighborhood, but the exact location and elements around the location. Nearby hubs, bus/train stops, community places, etc...
  • The changes you plan to make with the project
  • There needs to be a physical “thing” built or created. Programs or events will NOT be accepted.
  • Pop-up play areas, painting landscapes, etc...
  • Community partnerships - THIS IS IMPORTANT
  • Name drop! List your notable board members, corporate partners, network of nonprofits or individual donors (and why they’re a great partner), and partners you have that can help make your project possible
  • Showcase how you plan to incorporate education elements through play

The Playbook

Click here to view/download the playbook that highlight and detail the following elements that should all be included in your project. Make it:

  1. Inviting
  2. Wonderous
  3. Challenging
  4. Shared
  5. Unifying
  6. Convenient

Learn more at https://kaboom.org/challenge

PROUD champion PARTNERS