Turning operational challenges into long-term community impact through staffing, systems, and sustainable funding.
Written by: Christine Pickering
Rebuilding Together Atlanta (RTA) has long been a trusted partner in revitalizing communities and ensuring that vulnerable homeowners experiencing low incomes —particularly older adults, veterans, and people with disabilities—can remain safe and healthy in their homes. With a strong history of mobilizing skilled staff and dedicated volunteers, RTA has improved countless households across metropolitan Atlanta. As the demand for these services has grown and with diminishing access to federal funds, RTA recognized that strengthening its internal capacity would be critical to sustaining high-quality impact for the communities it serves. To meet this moment, RIC supported RTA in developing a comprehensive grant request that turned capacity challenges into opportunities for long-term growth and deeper community engagement.
Process
We partnered with RTA’s Executive Director to clarify key organizational needs that, if addressed, would have a direct impact on the number of homeowners served and the quality of services provided. Together, we built a capacity-building proposal focused on strengthening staffing, improving operational systems, enhancing staff retention, and broadening funding sources. Throughout this process, a clear emphasis was placed on aligning internal improvements with community impact—showing how investments in RTA’s infrastructure would translate into healthier, safer homes across Atlanta.
Outcome/Impact
Our collaborative efforts resulted in a $90,000 capacity-building grant in 2025. This award provided RTA with targeted resources to strengthen its team, modernize its systems, and diversify its funding base. This new support has given RTA a stronger financial foundation, helping the organization sustain operations and continue delivering essential repair services despite the volatility of federal funding. Most importantly, increased financial resilience means that homeowners—many living in aging or unsafe housing—can continue to count on RTA for timely repairs that allow them to stay in their homes with dignity and security, regardless of broader funding shifts.
