by Carly Henderson
As nonprofits across North Georgia work to meet rising community needs, four organizations are getting a major boost through the North Georgia Community Foundation’s 2025 Opportunity Grants.
The foundation presented its 2025 Opportunity Grants to four organizations across the region on Friday, Nov. 14.
Two of the recipients serve White County — Catalyst Christian Learning Center and Cleveland Care Center. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier, which serves Hall County, and J’ Place, serving Dawson County, also received funding. In total, NGCF awarded $200,000 in grant funding.
“NGCF Opportunity Grants help nonprofits take transformative actions that expand their impact and address urgent or emerging needs in our community,” said Abi Carter, vice president of strategic initiatives at NGCF. “These grants act as catalytic investments — empowering organizations to initiate meaningful change that may not otherwise be possible due to limited funding.”
Catalyst Christian Learning Center, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in White County, provides biblical instruction to local youth, with courses offered during school hours that count as elective credits. According to the organization’s website, its goal is to “minister to every student in White County and show them what it means to be a true follower of Christ.”
Catalyst Christian Learning Center received a $30,000 grant. The funding will expand the program to include White County Middle School students and will support curriculum development and materials, classrooms, student transportation and teacher salaries. By extending its program to middle school, Catalyst aims to offer biblically based classes that promote leadership, relationships, character development and decision-making skills.
“Both of my middle schoolers, grades 6 and 8, just started their quarterly rotation at Catalyst a couple of weeks ago and are loving it,” said White County mom Haley Hobson. “My sixth grader is learning about character building and my eighth grader is learning life skills.”
“This grant from the North Georgia Community Foundation is a game changer for us,” said Daniel Sansot, executive director at Catalyst. “It will help to empower us to continue in our launch of our new Middle School program.”
Cleveland Care Center is a family life ministry and pregnancy resource center in White County. The self-proclaimed “pro-love and pro-whole-life organization” provides services including free pregnancy tests, STD testing and treatment, parenting classes, and 3D and 4D ultrasounds. Clients can also receive free baby supplies, such as diapers, wipes and formula, through the center’s educational programs.
Cleveland Care Center received a $55,000 grant. The funding will go toward installing an elevator in the building to better support clients with mobility impairments. The addition will also allow the center to fully utilize its upstairs training space, which is used for life-skills classes, K–12 tutoring and instruction such as certified CPR. The upstairs area also serves as storage for the center’s thrift store, Under The Son. Cleveland Care Center is raising the remaining $20,000 needed to complete the project.
“We are grateful for the support of the North Georgia Community Foundation, which has provided a grant for the construction of an elevator at the center,” said staff at Cleveland Care Center. “This addition will enhance safety by improving access for both clients and volunteers, helping us serve a broader segment of our community.”
More information on grants given by NGCF can be found at ngcf.org.