Nonprofits in Atlanta, GA: How to Find Help, Give Back, and Get Involved

Atlanta has one of the most active nonprofit communities in the Southeast. Whether you’re looking for help with food, housing, legal issues, or youth programs, or you want to volunteer or donate, you’ll find hundreds of organizations working across the city.

This guide walks through how nonprofits work in Atlanta, major types of services, and practical ways to connect with organizations that fit your needs or interests.

How Nonprofits Work in Atlanta

A nonprofit in Atlanta is usually a 501(c)(3) or similar organization that:

• Focuses on a mission (like housing, education, arts, health, or the environment)
• Reinvests any surplus money into programs, not owners or shareholders
• Often relies on donations, grants, and volunteers

In Atlanta, nonprofits range from large citywide organizations with multiple locations to small neighborhood-based groups in areas like Southwest Atlanta, the Westside, or along Buford Highway.

If you live in or near the city, you’ll see nonprofits working closely with:

• City of Atlanta and Fulton/DeKalb County agencies
• Schools and universities (Atlanta Public Schools, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, etc.)
• Faith-based organizations
• Hospitals and health systems

Knowing what kind of help you need (or what kind of cause you care about) is the best starting point.

Major Types of Nonprofits in Atlanta

1. Food, Housing, and Basic Needs

Many Atlanta nonprofits focus on immediate needs like food, shelter, and utility support.

Common services include:

• Food pantries and community fridges
• Emergency and transitional shelters
• Rental and utility assistance (often in partnership with government programs)
• Case management for people experiencing homelessness

Examples of well-known Atlanta service hubs (for orientation):

If you’re unsure where to start for basic needs in Atlanta:

• Call United Way of Greater Atlanta’s 2-1-1 (or 404-614-1000 from some cell carriers) to get connected to nearby nonprofits based on your ZIP code.
• Ask specifically for food, housing, or utility assistance resources in Atlanta.

2. Youth, Education, and After-School Programs

Atlanta nonprofits serve children and teens through:

• After-school and summer programs
• Mentoring and tutoring
• College and career readiness
• Sports, arts, and STEM activities

You’ll find youth-focused nonprofits throughout neighborhoods like Westside, South Atlanta, East Lake, Old Fourth Ward, and along the BeltLine, often operating out of schools, rec centers, and churches.

Common ways these programs work in Atlanta:

• Registration through the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation centers
• Partnerships with Atlanta Public Schools for on-campus after-school programs
• Nonprofits that offer free or low-cost spots based on family income

If you’re a parent in Atlanta:

• Call your child’s school front office or counselor and ask which nonprofits run after-school or tutoring programs there.
• Check with your nearest Atlanta recreation center for nonprofit-run after-school options and sports leagues.

3. Health, Mental Health, and Wellness Nonprofits

Many Atlanta nonprofits support health and wellness, especially for people who are uninsured, underinsured, or on limited income.

Common nonprofit services in the Atlanta area include:

• Community health clinics and sliding-scale medical care
• Support groups and counseling services
• Programs focused on chronic conditions
• Maternal and child health support
• Health education and wellness workshops

If you’re in Atlanta and looking for low-cost or nonprofit health resources:

• Contact Fulton County Board of Health or DeKalb County Board of Health (depending on where you live) and ask for nonprofit and community clinic referrals.
• Call 2-1-1 and ask specifically for nonprofit health clinics or counseling services in your neighborhood.

For mental health, you can also reach out to:

• Georgia Crisis & Access Line: 1-800-715-4225 – for behavioral health support and referrals across the Atlanta region.

4. Legal Aid and Advocacy Organizations

Atlanta has several nonprofits that provide free or low-cost legal help for eligible residents, often focusing on:

• Evictions and housing issues
• Public benefits
• Family law and domestic violence
• Immigration matters
• Consumer issues and debt

Key access points for legal help in or near Atlanta include:

• Legal aid organizations with Atlanta offices that serve low-income residents in Fulton, DeKalb, and surrounding counties
• Court-based help centers offering basic information and forms
• Domestic violence and family-focused nonprofits that partner with shelters and hotlines

If you’re in Atlanta and need legal help:

• Call 2-1-1 and ask for civil legal aid organizations in Atlanta.
• Visit the clerk’s office at Fulton County or DeKalb County courts and ask where self-help legal resources or nonprofit legal aid referrals are available.

5. Arts, Culture, and Historic Preservation Nonprofits

Atlanta’s arts and culture scene is strongly supported by nonprofits, including:

• Theater companies and performance groups
• Music and dance organizations
• Museums and cultural centers
• Historic preservation societies focused on neighborhoods like Sweet Auburn, West End, and Grant Park

These organizations often offer:

• Free or reduced-price events or museum days
• Youth arts programs and camps
• Community art projects and public installations

If you love the arts:

• Look for citywide event calendars and search by neighborhood or art form (theater, music, visual arts, dance).
• Check with local neighborhood associations and community centers; many partner with smaller arts nonprofits for local events and festivals.

6. Environmental and Community Development Nonprofits

Atlanta’s rapid growth has inspired a range of nonprofits working on:

• Urban tree canopy protection and planting
• Community gardens and urban farms
• Neighborhood development and affordable housing initiatives
• Cleanup projects along streams, parks, and the Atlanta BeltLine

These organizations typically:

• Host volunteer workdays (tree planting, community cleanups)
• Run education programs about recycling, conservation, and gardening
• Partner with the City of Atlanta Department of City Planning and neighborhood groups

If you’re in Atlanta and want to get involved:

• Search for “Atlanta tree planting volunteer”, “Atlanta community garden nonprofit”, or “Atlanta neighborhood development nonprofit” plus your neighborhood name.
• Check your local Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) meetings, where many community-focused nonprofits give updates or recruit volunteers.

How to Find Nonprofits Near You in Atlanta

Atlanta is large and spread out, so it helps to search by neighborhood or county, and by type of service.

Use 2-1-1: Central Referral Hub

The United Way of Greater Atlanta 2-1-1 line is one of the most useful tools:

• Dial 2-1-1 from most phones in metro Atlanta
• Or use their phone number: 404-614-1000 (if 2-1-1 doesn’t connect)

You can ask for:

• Food pantries near your address
• Homeless shelters or housing help in your ZIP code
• Nonprofit counseling or mental health resources
• Legal aid and immigration services
• Senior services, disability support, and more

Be ready to share:

• Your ZIP code
• The type of help you need
• Any details about your situation that might affect eligibility (income range, household size, etc.)

Check Government and City Resources

Local governments in the Atlanta area often partner with nonprofits and keep updated lists of community resources.

Some useful starting points:

• City of Atlanta customer service / information line: (404) 330-6000
• Fulton County Government main line: (404) 612-4000
• DeKalb County Government main line: (404) 371-2000

You can ask for:

• “Community resources” or “human services”
• Lists of partner nonprofits for housing, food, senior services, or youth programs
• Information on nonprofit-run programs funded by the city or county

Connect Through Schools, Hospitals, and Faith Communities

In Atlanta, many people learn about nonprofits through existing institutions:

• Schools: Counselors and social workers often know which nonprofits help with tutoring, clothing closets, food, or rent assistance.
• Hospitals and clinics: Social workers can connect you with health-related nonprofits and support programs.
• Faith communities: Many churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples in Atlanta operate or partner with nonprofits on food, housing, and youth programs.

If you’re not sure where to start, asking a school counselor, social worker, or clergy member for nonprofit referrals is common and often effective.

How to Volunteer with Nonprofits in Atlanta

If you want to give your time instead of (or in addition to) money, Atlanta offers many options.

Step 1: Decide What Matters Most to You

Think about what you care about:

• Hunger and homelessness
• Education and mentoring
• Animals
• Environment and parks
• Arts and culture
• Immigration support and language access
• Senior care or disability support

Knowing your focus makes it easier to find a good fit, especially in a city with as many nonprofits as Atlanta.

Step 2: Choose the Type of Volunteering

In Atlanta, common volunteer roles include:

• Serving meals or sorting food
• Tutoring or mentoring youth
• Administrative support (phones, data entry, event help)
• Professional skills (IT, marketing, legal, finance, design)
• Outdoor projects (gardens, cleanups, tree planting)

Many nonprofits in Atlanta offer evening or weekend shifts to accommodate work schedules.

Step 3: Find Organizations

You can:

• Call 2-1-1 and ask for volunteer opportunities with nonprofits in Atlanta in your area of interest.
• Contact nonprofits directly via their main phone numbers and ask for the volunteer coordinator.
• Check bulletin boards and announcements at libraries, rec centers, and colleges around the city.

When you contact a nonprofit, ask:

• What volunteer roles are available
• What time commitment is expected
• If there’s training or a background check required (common for youth- or senior-focused roles)

Donating to Nonprofits in Atlanta

If you’re interested in donating money, goods, or other support, Atlanta nonprofits typically accept:

• Financial donations (one-time or recurring)
• In-kind donations (clothing, food, hygiene items, school supplies, household items)
• Special drives (holiday giving, back-to-school, winter coat drives)

To give responsibly in Atlanta:

• Verify that the nonprofit is a registered 501(c)(3) if you care about tax deductions.
• If donating items, check the organization’s current needs list; some restrict what they can accept due to storage, safety, or health rules.
• Consider local, neighborhood-based nonprofits in your part of the city, where even small donations can have a noticeable impact.

Tips for Working with Nonprofits in Atlanta

A few practical pointers can make things smoother:

• Call ahead: Many Atlanta nonprofits, especially smaller ones, may not have walk-in hours for every service.
• Be prepared: When seeking help, bring identification, proof of address, and any documents related to your situation (lease, bills, court papers, medical information).
• Ask about eligibility: Some programs are limited by ZIP code, income, age, or family status.
• Be patient but persistent: Demand for services in Atlanta can be high; if one nonprofit can’t help, ask them for other referrals.
• Keep notes: Write down names, phone numbers, and what each organization told you—it helps when making follow-up calls.

Key Atlanta Contact Points at a Glance

Here’s a quick reference to some of the most useful starting points if you’re trying to connect with nonprofits in Atlanta:

Using these resources, you can navigate the nonprofit landscape in Atlanta—whether you’re looking for support, hoping to volunteer, or wanting to invest in local organizations that make a difference across the city.