INSPIRE
ATLANTA
Nominations for the 2026 Class of Inspire Atlanta are now open!
Please get in touch with Shandy Arwood, sarwood@atlantawomen.org, if you have questions or need more information.
Success isn't just about what you accomplish in your life; it's about what you inspire others to do.
Inspire Atlanta is a community impact and fundraising program that supports the Atlanta Women’s Foundation (AWF). Participants commit to raising funds that fuel AWF’s mission to be a catalyst for change in the lives of women and girls in Atlanta. When the challenges women and girls face are addressed, the entire community benefits.
This experience brings together women who want to use their talents, networks, and resources to make a difference in their community. Each participant leads a fundraising campaign in support of AWF, directly impacting the lives of women and girls in need.
In return, Inspire Atlanta offers opportunities for personal growth, meaningful connections, and deeper awareness of the issues facing women and girls in metro Atlanta. Participants leave with a sense of accomplishment, a stronger network, and a clearer vision of how they can drive lasting community change.
Inspire Atlanta Program Objectives
IMPACT
Champion a fundraising campaign that directly supports women and girls in Atlanta, creating measurable change for the entire community.
ENGAGEMENT
Participate in experiences that deepen your understanding of the challenges facing women, girls, and their families affected by economic hardship, and explore meaningful ways to be part of the solution.
INFLUENCE
Strengthen your voice and expand your network, positioning yourself to inspire others and contribute to lasting community change.
Ideal Applicants
Each year, the Atlanta community nominates prominent women leaders for the program, and AWF extends an invitation for them to apply. Previous Inspire participants then select the top candidates to join Inspire Atlanta in the coming year.
Ideal Inspire Atlanta applicants are women who:
- Want to use their skills, networks, and resources to create meaningful community change.
- Are committed to raising at least $10,000 in support of AWF’s mission.
- Seek to engage more deeply in the Atlanta community and expand their impact.
- Have a track record of volunteerism or philanthropy (fundraising experience a plus).
- Have the encouragement of their employers to participate in this philanthropic commitment.
Please note: Inspire Atlanta is a philanthropic and community impact program, not a corporate training program. It is open to professional and civic-minded women in Atlanta. Nonprofit 501(c)(3) employees are not eligible due to a conflict of interest with the fundraising component.
A Win for Your Employee. A Win for Your Company.
When you nominate a woman leader from your company for Inspire Atlanta, you:
- Elevate your brand as a company committed to advancing women and strengthening Atlanta.
- Support your employee’s philanthropic journey, giving her the platform to raise $10,000+ in support of women and girls.
- Highlight your employee as a visible community advocate making a measurable difference.
- Gain visibility through AWF’s broad community of partners, donors, and nonprofit leaders.
- Promote volunteerism and philanthropy as core values within your company culture.
2026 Inspire Atlanta Program Schedule
CONSTRUCTING MY JOURNEY: SETTING UP FOR SUCCESS
Campaign Kick-Off: January 22, 2026, 2:00pm - 6:30pm
Orientation: January 23, 2026, 9:30am - 3:00pm
WALKING IN THE SHOES OF THOSE YOU'RE SUPPORTING
Poverty Simulation: January 31, 2026, 9:30am - 2:00pm
I'MPOSSIBLE: SETTING UP A SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
Fundraising Campaign Workshop: February 6, 2026, 9:30am - 3:30pm
DEFINING YOUR BRAND AND EXPANDING YOUR INFLUENCE
Personal Brand Workshop: February 27, 2026, 9:30am - 11:30am
Fundraising Rally: February 27, 2026, 11:30am - 2:00pm
BREAKING BARRIERS: UNDERSTANDING THE DATA
Mental Health Research Presentation: March 13, 2026, 9:30am - 2:00pm
WOMEN ON BOARD WORKSHOP
Nonprofit Board Training: March 27, 2026, 9:30am - 2:00pm
GRANTEE PARTNER CONNECTION: GET TO KNOW OUR PARTNERS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
Grantee Partner Afternoon Social: April 16, 2026, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Grantee Partner Morning Social: April 24, 2026, 9:30am - 1:00pm
INSPIRE ATLANTA CELEBRATION: NETWORK, DINE AND CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESS
Celebration Event: May 7,2026, 5:00pm - 8:00pm
The 2026 program schedule may be subject to slight modifications.
We're also pleased to offer additional expanded education sessions throughout the program, and those will be announced at a later date.
Questions?
Please contact Shandy Arwood, Director of Community Engagement, at sarwood@atlantawomen.org.
Highlights from Inspire Atlanta Graduates
"Being part of the Inspire Class was a full-circle moment for me. As a first-generation college student and a product of philanthropic efforts, my passion fueled me to become the top fundraiser of 2025. This experience empowered me to grow as a community leader, deepened my understanding of nonprofit work, and connected me to an incredible network of changemakers. I’m proud to have been part of this program and to leave a legacy rooted in transformational change."
Jesse Breidinger, Inspire Atlanta '25
Head of Strategic Projects, Novelis
Top Fundraiser, $62,000 raised!
"Being with this amazing group of women leaders has elevated my desire and ambition to do more for my community, be more for the city of Atlanta, and not be afraid to stretch myself and go even further than I could have imagined.”
Jessy Polyne Halaby, Inspire Atlanta '24
Owner, Nouveaux Possibilities, LLC
Third Place Fundraiser
"I set a goal that I felt was pretty ambitious, but I didn’t think I could get much higher than that. Through the encouragement of the staff, the resources provided, and the confidence that I built in myself, I really started to ask everyone to support this amazing mission and truly show up for women and girls in Atlanta.”
Jazmyn Williams, Inspire Atlanta '24
Director of Brand Marketing, The Honey Pot Company
2024 "Spirit of Inspire Award Winner"
"It's hard to put into words the effect that the Inspire Atlanta program will have on you personally. It's an experience that I will remember and treasure for the rest of my life. With that being said, it is simple to put into words the impact you'll have on the community as a part of it - $450k in support of women and girls simple."
Stephanie Herring, Inspire Atlanta '23
Vice President, Software Engineering, Assurant
Top Fundraiser, Over $50,000 raised!
“My entire Inspire Atlanta journey was transformational. I've finally embraced that we are an eternal work in progress, and opening ourselves up to embrace life's experiences and the connections we make with others along the way will shape who we are meant to be. In addition, engaging in AWF's mission and participating in the poverty simulation put an additional lens to my role as a corporate philanthropist."
Mandy Burnette, Inspire Atlanta '22
Director, Corporate Giving, Smurfit Westrock