Investing in Women and Girls

By DiShonda Hughes, Chief Mission Officer for The Atlanta Women’s Foundation

When I started at The Atlanta Women’s Foundation 22 years ago, I had no idea I’d be granting out $1 million annually! All I can say is I have the best job in the world.

I am so honored to work with the AWF grant committee to proudly award hard-earned dollars to the boots-on-the-ground organizations making an impact for women and girls in our city. On Friday, August 12th, we awarded nearly $560,000 to 13 deserving organizations.

Starting with the Rebuilding Women’s Initiative

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that women were most impacted. In the aftermath of a global health crisis, women were losing their jobs or having to leave work to care for children. Instead of the growing progress we had been seeing for women in metro Atlanta, the pandemic is setting women back months if not years. AWF sought to address this with a COVID-19 Emergency relief fund, and in that continued effort, the Rebuilding Women’s Initiative to deepen our investment in the economic stability of women and families.

The Drake House: AWF funding supports The Drake House Career Service Program.
New American Pathways: AWF funding supports the Empowering Refugee Women Program designed to helping refugee women find employment.
Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence: AWF funding supports the organization’s Safe House for Survivors Program.

Congratulations to the Rebuilding Women’s Initiative grantees, and thank you for all you are doing to build up women as we navigate this post-2020 world.

Next, the Women’s Pathway to Success Program

Launched in 2017, the Women’s Pathway to Success is a transformative program, resulting in job creation, reduction in poverty, and eliminating barriers to employment for women in metro Atlanta. We are on track to reach the collective goal of serving a minimum of 18,000 women over the 5-years. Each grantee is an expert in what they do for their distinct population. This combination of services includes access to: Workforce training and development, microenterprise development, childcare, financial literacy, and employment opportunities for women at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs: AWF funding supports ACE’s Women’s Business Center providing loans and business development support to underserved and marginalized entrepreneurs.
Dress for Success: AWF funding supports general operating of Dress for Success’ mission.
Girls Inc. of Greater Atlanta: AWF funding supports working moms by providing their daughters with free, safe, and enriching environment for summer and school breaks.
Jewish Family & Career Services: AWF funding supports the PATH (Prepare, Aim, Train, Hire) program.
The Latin American Association: AWF funding supports LAA’s Latina Economic Empowerment Program.
Our House: AWF funding supports the Child Development Associate Certification Training program.
Quality Care for Children: AWF funding supports the Emergency Child Care program.
Refugee Women’s Network: AWF funding supports improving refugee and immigrant women’s access to decent employment, credit and asset building, and entrepreneurship development.
Women in Technology: AWF funding supports WIT’s The Cyber Security Educational Program for Single Mothers.
Year Up of Greater Atlanta: AWF funding supports direct service program and several critical strategies for connecting Opportunity Talent to employment pathways.

Congratulations to all of the AWF Women’s Pathway grantees. The work you do is life-changing.

Thank you to our donors, partners, and friends for making this funding possible. We look forward to sharing our grantees’ impact throughout the year!