I’ve heard people say we don’t need more nonprofits, but I’ve never heard anyone say we don’t need more Starbucks or CVS’s or Marshalls. Does that make you wonder? I know a lot of small nonprofits. They do an amazing amount of work with a budget that is under $30,000 a year, heck, under $20,000 a year and even lower. They have the most dedicated staff and founders and they impact lives every day. Yet, they often go unseen by the larger funding community. They are too risky, too small, and their marketing materials definitely aren’t slick.

As you know, Compassionate Atlanta’s work is done in collaboration with the community. Many small non-profits are our greatest partners and allies. Just recently we co-hosted an event with a small non-profit, OneHome Collective, to show the movie A Six Dollar Cup of Coffee. Because of One Home Collective’s direct import of the coffee, now, every morning it feels so different to know that I have a direct link to the people that harvest the coffee beans I grind. I’m doing some good by drinking my morning coffee. Can’t get much better than that! Check-out OneHome Collective to see how you could set up a distribution point in your community.

And then…winter is coming. Last year, Compassionate Atlanta supported A Home for Everyone in Dekalb as they opened two warming shelters that opened on the nights that the temperature dropped below 35 degrees. This year, A Home For Everyone In Dekalb is opening doors again. November 13th will be the first possible night for opening. This is literally a group of good samaritans looking out for their neighbors. So, consider getting involved. Make a meal, collect snack bags, donate breakfast items(see below) or sign upto spend the night at the shelter alongside the shelter coordinator.

Small and mighty. Let me know about your small group impact. What are you proud of? Your morning coffee? Your book club meal prep? Choose something and then tell us about it.

Leanne Rubenstein
Compassion Cultivator/Co-Director
Compassionate Atlanta