As we culminate the 25th anniversary of the Atlanta Women’s Foundation, we are reminded of the unwavering commitment and dedication that have driven our mission since day one. Over the past quarter-century, the needs of women and girls in metro Atlanta have evolved. Yet, our core purpose remains steadfast: to be a catalyst for change, empowering women and girls to live safer, healthier, and more vibrant lives.

The remarkable $29 million impact we’ve achieved since 1998 is a testament to the generosity and engagement of friends like you and our community of supporters. Your philanthropic spirit and belief in our mission have paved the way for countless women and girls. Join us as we look back on our 25th year, celebrating the impact of your dollars and the individuals who have been instrumental in our journey toward a brighter future.

In this post:

• 25 Years of Leadership
• AWF Memories Through the Years
• Research
• Events & Programs
• New Brand
• Community Investment

Shaping AWF: 25 Years of Leadership

Because of the foresight, dedication, and investment of a community committed to serving women and girls in metro Atlanta, the Atlanta Women’s Foundation culminates in its 25th year of existence. AWF truly follows in the footsteps of the trailblazing women who came before us as it sets about its crucial mission, and that original passion is very much alive in the Foundation’s work today.

We can’t look forward without looking back to recognize our past board chairs and members for their unwavering leadership and tireless efforts, which have shaped this remarkable 25-year journey. Their dedication, commitment, and vision have been instrumental in molding AWF into the influential organization it is today. We express our deepest gratitude for their invaluable contributions. Learn more about AWF’s leadership.

AWF Memories Through The Years

To celebrate our 25th Anniversary, many of you shared your favorite AWF memories and joined us in reflecting back on the progress made throughout the years. It’s not too late to share your AWF memories here. Let’s take a look at a few:

“I remember when Ruth West, Stephanie Davis, and I met with Alicia Phillip to take The Atlanta Women’s Fund from being a fund to an independent foundation, separate from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. It was friendly, easy, and happy for all involved. We were then on our own. We were doing small things 25 years ago, distributing small amounts of money. Look where we are now! Over the next 25 years, I hope to see AWF continue to grow, helping women and girls in ever-expanding ways.” – Judith Taylor, Former AWF Board Member and Founding Mother

“AWF has touched the lives of many individuals and families over the past 25 years. Being a part of the Two-Generation Initiative has really provided me with the opportunity to see their work up close and personal. Without the program funding, we may not have been able to expand our reach in our desired communities with the 2-generation population.” – Troya Jackson, Families First, AWF Grantee Partner

“I have many favorite Atlanta Women’s Foundation (AWF) memories. I’ll never forget the first day of my Inspire Atlanta session in 2018. The passion for women and girls reverberated between the hearts of the cohort gathered and sent my heart over the moon. It was infectious. Another one of my favorite AWF memories is of participating in the poverty simulation as a member of that inaugural Inspire Atlanta class. Although simply a “dramatization” of sorts, amid this exercise, I felt two things I carry with me to this day. 1. an intensified awareness of the daily economic challenges faced by many who are just miles, doorsteps, or even footsteps away and 2. a confirmation the AWF is an incredible trustee and advocate, committed to their mission to be a catalyst for change in the lives of women and girls. It’s an honor to lend my time, talent, and treasure to support their amazing work.”– Monica Nixon, AWF Board Member and graduate of the Inaugural Class of Inspire Atlanta

Read more about Monica’s experience at the poverty simulation here.

Research

AWF presented its newest commissioned research this past year, The State of Girls in Metro Atlanta 2023. The report revealed that continuing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, girls in metro Atlanta are facing exacerbated negative effects. 

Factors such as disruptions in education, pressure to serve as caretakers for younger siblings, mental health issues, an uptick in obesity rates, and an increase in the proportion of girls living in poverty require a comprehensive, strategic response.

State of Girls in Metro Atlanta report outlines the various demographic, economic, educational, and health data for Metro Atlanta’s girls, specifically focusing on how the pandemic has affected the status of girls across a five-county footprint. AWF’s All Girls Forward: Girls Empowerment Program is a response to this report.

Events & Programs

AWF hosted successful events and programming to raise funds for grantmaking and to empower and champion all women in Metro Atlanta. 

Community Investment Celebration 2023

Living up to its mission to be a catalyst for change in the lives of women and girls, AWF awarded grants during its annual Community Investment Celebration. AWF provided $1.14 million to 21 nonprofits serving women and girls in Clayton, Cobb, Dekalb, Gwinnett, and Fulton Counties.

The event, held at the Ansley Golf Club on August 24, welcomed 100 attendees, including recipient nonprofit leaders, AWF board members and alumni, and others who have raised funds and donated to the foundation. The 2023 Class of Inspire Atlanta helped hand grant checks out to the All Girls Forward recipients.

Grant recipients are listed below under their respective programs:

• The All Girls Forward Empowerment Program granted $500,000 to these organizations: Agape Community Center, Cool Girls, Inc., Girls, Inc., Girls on the Run, Global Village Project, Los Niños Primero, Ser Familia Inc., VOX Teen Communications, and Wellspring Living. 

The program aims to ensure Atlanta’s girls are empowered through education and healthcare. In its first year, it served over 2,300 girls.

• Breaking Barriers, Building Women: Economic Empowerment program was awarded a total of $500,000 to these organizations: 9to5 Georgia – Atlanta Habitat for Humanity – Clayton State University Foundation – Gwinnett Tech Foundation – H.O.P.E., Inc. – LiveSafe Resources – Nicholas House. 

The program focuses on higher education and asset building for low-income women in the five Metro Atlanta counties. In its fourth year, 667 women were served, for a total of 1,655 women served in four years.

• Two-Generation Initiative from the Liz Blake Giving Fund awarded a total of $140,000 to these organizations: Families First – H.O.P.E., Inc. – House of Dawn – Quality Care for Children. 

Funding supports organizations focused on young moms ages 13-25 and their children. Most of these moms have children between 0 and 3 years old. The program served 139 women and their children.

Read more about our Community Investment Celebration.

Polly Simpson Fund Launched

The Polly Simpson Leadership Fund was created in memory of Polly Simpson, a long-time leader, volunteer, and supporter of The Atlanta Women’s Foundation.

Polly was an outstanding volunteer and a huge supporter of initiatives that created a pathway to success for women and girls throughout metro Atlanta. Polly’s contribution to AWF during her tenure as Board Chair allowed AWF to flourish and to become the organization it is today.

The Polly Simpson Leadership Fund provides our nonprofit grantee partners with free, customized Board training and workshops based on the organization’s needs. To date, four All Girls Forward grantees have received this service.

“Numbers Too Big To Ignore” Luncheon raised $1.1 million!

Last November 2nd, AWF held its signature fundraising event, the Numbers Too Big To Ignore Fundraising Luncheon, at the Georgia World Congress Center’s Thomas Murphy Ballroom. The sold-out event raised more than a million dollars to support women’s and girls’ causes across metro Atlanta.

 Each year, the luncheon serves as a platform to highlight issues impacting women and girls in Atlanta, fostering meaningful dialogue about issues at-risk women and girls face and ways to provide access to economic empowerment.  The event supported the All Girls Forward: Girls Empowerment Program and the Breaking Barriers, Building Women: Economic Empowerment Program, and additional mission needs.

The luncheon featured celebrated actress, model, author, and women’s advocate Brooke Shields in conversation with WSB-TV anchor Linda Stouffer. Shields, a prominent figure in the public eye, is celebrated not just for her extensive work in film, television, and modeling but also for her passionate advocacy work. 

During the luncheon, the 17th annual Sue Wieland Embracing Possibility Award was given to LiveSafe Resources, and their shining example is Macy Johnson. The award bestows impactful non-profits every year with a $20,000 grant and their shining examples with a special gift. Watch Macy’s video.

Save the Date for this year’s luncheon featuring actress Molly Shannon on October 30th at the Georgia World Congress Center. Read more about Molly as the featured speaker here.  

Inspire Atlanta 2024

AWF’s Inspire Atlanta Class of 2024 set the bar high with another record-breaking year raising a final total of $586,000 to support AWF’s All Girls Forward: Girls Empowerment Program and additional vital programs to support women and girls. With a resounding call to action, thirty-one exceptional women embarked on a journey to transform their leadership potential into tangible change.

Inspire Atlanta is a five-month community impact program that challenges women to develop their leadership skills, create meaningful change, tackle critical issues in the community, champion a fundraising campaign to support AWF, and build a lasting network of fellow female movers and shakers. The program culminated in May with a celebration to honor its participants. Watch a few participants share what the program means to them.

Read more about the journey of the 2024 Class of Inspire Atlanta. Nominations are now open for the Class of 2025!

New Brand & New Website

AWF launched a new brand and website! The evolved mark, “Golden Resilience,” symbolizes elegance and simplicity embodied by a radiant yellow poppy flower. The vibrant yellow hue of the poppy holds profound significance. It symbolizes optimism, courage, and unwavering determination. It mirrors the inner strength women and girls possess as they navigate life’s myriad of challenges.

This emblem serves as a constant reminder that, regardless of the adversities we face, AWF is built upon principles of transparency, connection, and impactful strategies. AWF is here to serve our community, champion the strength of femininity, and exemplify unyielding resilience.

A special thanks to our brand agency partner, WITH, who helped us to better define and visualize the AWF brand. With the help of our marketing agency partner, Liger, our new brand has been implemented with a new website! The user-friendly site is designed to better serve our community and amplify our mission. Visit atlantawomen.org to learn more.

Community Investment

As we celebrate the culmination of AWF’s 25th year, we are thrilled to announce that our Board of Directors has voted to grant $1,050,000 to the community.

This significant investment will empower innovative programs and initiatives designed to support and uplift women and girls in metro Atlanta. We look forward to sharing more details about the impactful work of our grant recipients in the coming months. 

Your unwavering generosity and support power our mission, making you an essential catalyst for change in the lives of countless women and girls. Together, we are creating a brighter, more equitable future for all. Thank you for standing with us and for being a vital part of our journey.

Click on the video above to learn more about how AWF’s legacy. Sign up for our newsletter to keep updated on AWF news and happenings!