The Atlanta Women’s Foundation made a significant announcement at its annual Community Investment Celebration held at Atlanta City Hall on August 7, unveiling a historic $1.7 million grant cycle committed to supporting 19 nonprofits focused on empowering women and girls in the metro area.
This is the largest single investment the nonprofit has made since its inception 26 years ago.
Kari Love, CEO of the Atlanta Women’s Foundation, emphasized the importance of supporting women and girls, stating, “We believe that investing in women and girls is one of the most powerful ways to strengthen our communities. When women thrive, families thrive, and when girls are empowered, communities grow stronger.”
The grant cycle for this year is structured around four main initiatives aimed at addressing various facets of support for women and girls.
The Two Generation Initiative, funded by the Liz Blake Giving Fund, adopts a comprehensive approach to assisting mothers and children through services spanning healthcare, early-childhood education, and family stability.
Four nonprofits received grants of $45,000 each from this initiative: Atlanta Children’s Day Shelter, Our House, Inc., Families First, and Quality Care for Children.
These organizations focus on addressing essential needs for mothers and families experiencing homelessness.
The Atlanta Children’s Day Shelter will utilize its funds to provide early education and comprehensive family services, while Our House, Inc. will offer education and parental coaching for families in need.
Families First is directed toward advancing maternal mental health services, while Quality Care for Children will apply funds to emergency childcare scholarships.
Additionally, the Atlanta Women’s Foundation launched the All Girls Forward program, an empowerment initiative designed specifically for girls, which emerged in response to findings in the 2023 State of Girls report.
Board Chair Fiona Bell stated, “It’s a five-year effort investing in programs that build confidence, wellness and leadership among girls experiencing economic uncertainty.”
Nine organizations received $50,000 each to further their respective girls’ empowerment programs.
The recipients include Agape Youth and Family Center, offering year-round leadership and wellness programs for girls; Cool Girls, Inc., which focuses on academic support, mentorship, and life skills for elementary and middle school girls; and Girls, Inc. of Greater Atlanta, dedicated to mental health and enrichment programming for academic success.
Other grantees include Girls on the Run Georgia, which enhances resilience and confidence through physical activity, and Global Village Project, which provides trauma-informed education for refugee girls.
Los Ninos Primero will conduct leadership development programs for Latina girls, while Ser Familia offers mental health counseling and additional services for Latina girls.
Vox ATL received funding for a teen-led media initiative, and Wellspring Living will provide trauma-informed residential care and life skills training for survivors of sex trafficking.
Furthermore, the foundation’s Breaking Barriers, Building Women program is dedicated to economic empowerment.
Five nonprofits received grants of $100,000 each for their impactful work in this area: Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, Clayton State University Foundation, Per Scholas, Nicholas House, and Hope, Inc.
Atlanta Habitat for Humanity plans to use its funds for affordable home ownership and women’s financial education, while Nicholas House will focus on housing and workforce development for homeless women.
Per Scholas aims to provide technology training and career coaching for women aspiring to enter the Information Technology sector.
Clayton State University Foundation will offer scholarships and childcare support for student mothers, and Hope, Inc. will provide assistance with rent, childcare, and financial training for single-parent students.
The Sue Wieland Embracing Possibility Grant commemorates Wieland’s legacy of supporting women and families with trauma-informed care, housing, education, and holistic services.
Five organizations will each receive $100,000: Agape Youth and Family Center’s career readiness program, Atlanta Children’s Day Center’s trauma-informed services for homeless families, Families First’s behavioral health programs, Nicholas House’s supportive services, and Our House, Inc. focusing on housing and healthcare advocacy.
Additionally, the Atlanta Women’s Foundation presented the inaugural $5,000 Yashoda Reddy Education Award, aimed at supporting education for nontraditional college students facing economic challenges.
The first recipient of this award is Madison Johnson, a Clayton State University psychology student and single mother.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens attended the luncheon to express his support for the Atlanta Women’s Foundation and its ongoing efforts to uplift women and girls in the community.
He stated, “If we want Atlanta to be the best city in the nation to raise a child, we must strive to be the most inclusive, equitable, and supportive city for women and girls.”
Highlighting the barriers women often face, Dickens noted, “That’s why we are happy to shine a light on organizations like the Atlanta Women’s Foundation that are intentional in their support of community groups, truly changing outcomes for women.”
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