DEDICATED GRANTS TO REFUGEE SERVING ORGANIZATIONS

December 2018: Since 2017, The Imlay Foundation’s Board of Directors has committed to developing periodic annual learning and significant grantmaking opportunities devoted to one specific issue area outside of the Foundation’s regular grants program.  In 2018, the Board chose to focus on refugees in Metro Atlanta, recommending and approving grants totaling $205,000 to five different refugee serving organizations.

Over the course of seven months, board members participated in an orientation on refugees and Atlanta’s refugee serving community and joined site visits to seven selected refugee serving organizations across the Metro Atlanta area.  Each site visit included conversations with staff, board members and clients, and briefings on the most urgent needs and priorities of the organization.

The learning process concluded with a final follow-up meeting to discuss group impressions and solicit feedback, and the full Board of Directors ultimately approved targeted grants totaling $205,000 to five organizations at its December 4, 2018 board meeting, including:

• Clarkston Community Center – $15,000 for general support
• Clarkston Community Health Center – 3-Year grant of $60,000 for general support ($30,000/$20,000/$10,000)
• Friends of Refugees – $75,000 for program and capital support for Family Literacy Program
• Latin American Association – $30,000 for youth leadership program
• Refuge Coffee – $25,000 for general support