Answering the Call(s)!

By: Missy Hanks, Executive Director

Since the beginning of the year, The ELM Foundation has received an overwhelming number of phone calls and emails from community members, local agencies, churches, and other helping groups seeking assistance with rent and utilities. The need in our community is very real—and growing. Even local news channels have reached out! 

For those who may not be familiar, The ELM Foundation is a development-focused nonprofit organization and does not provide direct crisis relief. However, we serve as the local administrator for the Community Connections network, the Charity Tracker database, and ALHelp.org, which means we are deeply connected to, and genuinely care about, the well-being of our neighbors across Madison County.

Many wonderful agencies in our area provide rental and utility assistance. However, as 2026 has progressed, we’ve seen signs that funding for this type of help may be more limited than in previous years—at least based on the assistance that is documented and accessible through Charity Tracker. While some agencies have received state and private funding to meet these needs, a lack of shared service data within the network makes it difficult for the nearly 450 connected agencies to see the full picture.

Without shared information, it becomes challenging to avoid duplication of assistance and ensure that limited funds reach those who need them most. This issue has grown significant enough that local news media recently contacted us, as administrators of the Charity Tracker network, to gain a clearer understanding of what’s happening.

The good news? We can address this together.

We warmly invite all agencies, churches, and helping organizations to join the Community Connections network and utilize the Charity Tracker database. Licenses are now generously sponsored by the City of Huntsville – Community Development Department, making this valuable tool available at no cost to participating organizations.

We understand that many groups hesitate to pay a rent or utility bill without confidence that another nonprofit hasn’t already covered the expense. Charity Tracker provides that reassurance. By working together and sharing data, we can make thoughtful, informed decisions and stretch every dollar further.

If you’re interested in joining the Huntsville/Madison County Charity Tracker network, accessing the free database, or receiving additional free training, please contact Cathy at cathy@elmhsv.org. We provide all network administration and training free of charge. The

ELM Foundation is not funded to provide this service; instead, we view it as a gift to our community and a means to strengthen the safety net for our neighbors. 

Let’s continue working together to serve those who need us most!

CHARITY TRACKER IN THE NEWS

See what FOX54 had to say - CLICK

Watch the WAFF48 news segment here - CLICK