Investing in the Education, Empowerment, and Economic Mobility of Women and Girls Across Metro Atlanta

ATLANTA, August 7, 2025 — The Atlanta Women’s Foundation (AWF) celebrated its annual Community Investment Celebration on August 7, 2025, awarding more than $1.7 million in grants to 19 nonprofit organizations across metro Atlanta. The event, hosted for the second year at Atlanta City Hall, showcased AWF’s mission in action — investing in proven solutions that uplift women and girls living in poverty.

In partnership with the City of Atlanta, the program included remarks from Mayor Andre Dickens and Candace M. Stanciel, Chief Equity Officer for the City of Atlanta, emphasizing a shared commitment to gender equity and community investment. AWF leaders, including CEO Kari B. Love, Board Chair Fiona Bell of Novelis, and Chief Mission Officer DiShonda Hughes, led the celebration and presented the grant awards.

“Women make up slightly more than half the population of this city. While it’s good to say that the truth is our women and girls face tougher odds—especially women and girls of color. Whether it’s matters of health, financial stability or educational opportunities, studies show too many women face significant barriers,” said Mayor Dickens. “This is not just a women’s issue; it’s an issue that affects the entire city, because we cannot have a thriving city if half the population is left behind. Which is why we are shining a light on organizations like the Atlanta Women’s Foundation who are intentional in their support of the community groups changing outcomes for women.”

The celebration highlighted AWF’s investment across key grantmaking initiatives.

2025 Grant Recipients:

Yashoda Reddy Education Award ($5,000) 

• The Yashoda Reddy Education Award was established in honor of a remarkable woman who embodied strength, perseverance, and the belief that education transforms lives. Her daughter, Dr. Sujatha Reddy, an AWF Board alumna, and her brother Rohith Reddy created the award to honor their mother’s legacy.
• This year’s recipient is Madison Johnson, a psychology major at Clayton State University.
  • A mother, a working professional, and a first-generation college student, Madison has shown extraordinary resilience — returning to higher education to pursue her dream of becoming a social worker.

Two-Generation Initiative ($180,000 total) 

• This initiative takes a whole-family approach — supporting both mothers and their children through early childhood education, healthcare, and stability-focused services. It is made possible by The Liz Blake Giving Fund and AWF’s generous donor community.
• Grantees:
  • Atlanta Children’s Day Shelter: AWF funds early education and integrated family services that help mothers experiencing homelessness gain stability and build a foundation for their children’s future.
  • Families First, Inc.: AWF supports maternal mental health services that promote resilience and healthy development.
  • Our House, Inc.: AWF invests in early childhood education and parental coaching to help families exit homelessness and thrive.
  • Quality Care for Children: AWF funds emergency childcare scholarships that help mothers maintain employment and family stability during financial hardship.

All Girls Forward Economic Empowerment Program ($500,000 total)

• Created in response to findings from our 2023 State of Girls Report, this five-year effort invests in programs that build confidence, wellness, and leadership among girls experiencing economic uncertainty. This program is made possible by the Inspire Atlanta Class of 2025, the Georgia Power Foundation, and AWF’s generous donor community.
• Grantees:
  • Agape Youth & Family Center: AWF funds year-round leadership and wellness programming for girls, helping them grow with resilience and purpose.
  • Cool Girls, Inc.: AWF invests in academic support, mentorship, and life skills to empower elementary and middle school girls to succeed.
  • Girls Inc. of Greater Atlanta: AWF funds mental health and enrichment programming that empowers girls to thrive academically, emotionally, and physically.
  • Girls on the Run Georgia: AWF invests in curriculum that helps girls build confidence, emotional resilience, and leadership through physical activity and service.
  • Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta: AWF supports inclusive programming that builds leadership, confidence, and community engagement for girls with financial need.
  • Global Village Project: AWF’s funding helps provide a trauma-informed, accelerated education program for refugee girls.
  • Los Niños Primero: AWF supports mentorship and leadership development for Latina girls, blending arts, academics, and life skills to cultivate empowered young leaders.
  • Ser Familia: AWF invests in mental health counseling, family support, and leadership training that strengthens emotional wellness and self-esteem among Latina girls.
  • VOX ATL: AWF supports teen-led media and mentoring programs that build confidence, mental wellness, and leadership through storytelling and self-expression.
  • Wellspring Living: AWF’s funding helps provide comprehensive, trauma-informed residential care and life skills training to support survivors of sex trafficking heal and regain independence.

Breaking Barriers, Building Women: Economic Empowerment Program ($500,000 total) 

• This program helps women build long-term economic security through education, workforce training, and asset-building. This program is made possible by the Coca-Cola Foundation, Norfolk Southern, and AWF’s generous donor community.
• Grantees:
  • Atlanta Habitat for Humanity: AWF supports affordable homeownership and financial education for women, fostering long-term housing and economic stability.
  • Clayton State University Foundation: AWF invests in scholarships and childcare for student mothers, removing barriers to degree completion and future success.
  • H.O.P.E. Inc.: AWF supports single-parent students with rent, childcare, and financial training to help them graduate and build economic independence.
  • Nicholas House: AWF supports housing and workforce development for homeless women working toward financial independence.
  • Per Scholas: AWF’s funding helps provide free tech training and career coaching that empowers women to enter high-demand IT fields and achieve economic mobility.

Sue Wieland Embracing Possibility Grants ($500,000) 

• These grants honor Sue Wieland’s extraordinary legacy of supporting women and families through trauma-informed care, housing, education, and holistic family services. They are made possible thanks to support from the Wieland Family.
  • Agape Youth & Family Center: AWF supports Agape’s career-readiness programs that help girls build a strong future.
  • Atlanta Children’s Day Shelter: AWF funding provides trauma-informed services for homeless families — including early childhood education, therapy, and job training.
  • Families First, Inc.: AWF funds behavioral health and parenting programs that help families heal and thrive long-term.
  • Nicholas House: AWF invests in wraparound support, such as financial literacy classes, to help women secure housing and rebuild economic stability.
  • Our House, Inc.: AWF supports housing, workforce development, healthcare access, and family advocacy to clients experiencing homelessness or poverty.

 

“We know that women and girls are the backbone of their families and communities. When we invest in their potential, we create lasting impact,” said Kari B. Love, CEO of the Atlanta Women’s Foundation. “These grants represent far more than a dollar amount — they represent opportunity, possibility, and the power of collective action.

More than 100 community members attended, including nonprofit leaders, board members, Inspire Atlanta alumnae, and key donors whose generosity made the grants possible.

The next opportunity to support AWF’s mission will be at the Numbers Too Big To Ignore Luncheon on October 29, 2025, featuring Hoda Kotb as keynote speaker.

 

About the Atlanta Women’s Foundation

Since its founding in 1998, the Atlanta Women’s Foundation (AWF) has invested over $30 million into nonprofit organizations that support women and girls impacted by poverty in metro Atlanta. In a region where women ages 25–44 are the top demographic living in poverty — and where less than 2% of U.S. charitable giving supports women’s and girls’ organizations — AWF exists to be a catalyst for change. Through strategic grantmaking, education, and community-building, AWF invests in women and girls as a proven pathway to economic mobility and stronger communities.

When women and girls thrive, we all thrive.