The Atlanta Women’s Foundation (AWF) celebrated its annual Community Investment Celebration on September 24th awarding $1.05 million in grants to nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls across Metro Atlanta. 

The event was hosted at Atlanta City Hall for the first time in collaboration with the City of Atlanta, and featured an address from Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens followed by a formal presentation of grant checks to AWF’s 17 nonprofit grantee partners.

More than 100 attendees attended, including nonprofit leaders, members of AWF’s board, former board members, alumnae of the Inspire Atlanta program, and key donors. Several members of the Mayor’s Women of Atlanta Advisory Board witnessed firsthand the impact of AWF’s philanthropic efforts in the community.

The Community Investment Celebration underscores AWF’s mission to empower women and girls by funding organizations that address the challenges they face, particularly those stemming from poverty.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the direct impact these funds have on the lives of women and girls in metro Atlanta,” said Kari B. Love, CEO of AWF. “Thanks to the generosity of our partners—individual donors, companies, and other supporters—these organizations can continue providing essential programs and services, such as education, mental health care, housing, and childcare, ensuring that women and girls have the resources they need to succeed.

To view AWF’s Impact Report, click here.

2024 Grant Recipients: 

The following 10 organizations received funding for AWF’s ALL GIRLS FORWARD: Girls Empowerment Program, which provides critical support to nonprofits in their efforts to enhance or expand mental health, social-emotional development, education, and drug and pregnancy-prevention programs for girls living at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. All Girls Forward supports local nonprofit organizations in providing the critical combination of services needed to ensure Atlanta’s girls experiencing poverty can be on a level playing field with their peers.

1. Agape Community Center
   Through AWF’s investment, Agape Community Center continues to provide year-round academic enrichment, helping girls in grades K-12 excel in northwest Atlanta. Their programs focus on essential academic support, such as early learning and high school readiness.
2. Cool Girls, Inc.
   AWF’s support strengthens Cool Girls, Inc.’s signature programs, expanding mentorship and mental health initiatives to help girls thrive academically and personally. Their focus on collegiate preparation, wellness, and life skills ensures girls are prepared for future success.
3. Girls Inc. of Greater Atlanta
   With AWF’s backing, Girls Inc. of Greater Atlanta empowers young girls to build resilience and cope with trauma through their comprehensive mental health and wellness programs. Their Mind and Body Initiative is a crucial resource for girls overcoming adversity.
4. Girls on the Run Georgia
   Thanks to AWF’s funding, Girls on the Run Georgia will continue to foster social, emotional, and physical development for girls across metro Atlanta, preparing them for lifelong health and well-being through engaging lessons and activities.
5. Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta
   AWF’s grant enables Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta to extend their Leadership Experience program, ensuring girls with financial need can develop critical life skills, leadership, and community awareness.
6. Global Village Project
   AWF’s contribution to Global Village Project supports refugee girls through wraparound services, including nutritional and transportation assistance, helping these girls focus on their education without added barriers.
7. Los Niños Primero
   With AWF’s support, Los Niños Primero’s ‘Creciendo Juntas’ program continues fostering mentoring relationships that nurture academic and emotional growth for young Latina girls. The bond between mentors and mentees is a key to their success.
8. Ser Familia
   AWF’s investment allows Ser Familia to offer Latina girls a broad range of services, from educational support to mental health assessments, ensuring each girl receives the personalized care needed for her development.
9. VOX Teen Communications
   With AWF’s funding, VOX Teen Communications will expand its vital programming, empowering teen girls to confidently use their voices and develop leadership skills to navigate mental health challenges.
10. Wellspring Living
    AWF’s support bolsters Wellspring Living’s Girls’ Residential Program, providing survivors of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking with the resources and care they need to rebuild their lives, including education, mentorship, and life skills.

The following six organizations received funding for Breaking Barriers, Building Women: Economic Empowerment Program, which focuses on higher education and asset building for low-income women in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties. Through this program, women impacted by poverty have access to tuition, child care, and living expenses assistance for collegiate moms, homeownership programs, financial literacy education, and sexual assault and domestic violence support groups.

AWF also awarded a special grant for the Senior Women’s Health and Wellbeing Initiative to Georgia State University’s Project Healthy Grandparents. This funding improves the physical and mental well-being of grandmothers who serve as primary caregivers for their grandchildren.

1. 9 to 5 Georgia
   AWF’s grant supports 9 to 5 Georgia’s efforts in economic justice, providing training and advocacy programs for women, with a focus on those from BIPOC communities, to ensure their
   voices are heard and their needs met.
2. Atlanta Habitat for Humanity
   Thanks to AWF’s investment, Atlanta Habitat for Humanity continues to empower women through financial literacy, homeownership preparation, and long-term wealth-building education.
3. Clayton State University Foundation
   AWF’s funding supports Clayton State University’s childcare subsidies, enabling low-income mothers to pursue higher education while ensuring their children are cared for—an essential step toward financial independence.|
4. H.O.P.E. Inc.
   AWF’s grant to H.O.P.E. Inc. provides women with comprehensive support as they pursue higher education and financial independence, offering childcare, counseling, and mentorship along the way.
5. LiveSafe Resources, Inc.
   With AWF’s support, LiveSafe Resources continues providing safe housing, education, and employment opportunities for women escaping domestic violence, helping them build independent, secure futures.
6. Nicholas House
   AWF’s funding helps Nicholas House provide stable housing for homeless mothers, working closely with them to ensure long-term stability and self-sufficiency through personalized service plans.
   
7. Georgia State University’s Project Healthy Grandparents
   With AWF’s investment, Georgia State University’s Project Healthy Grandparents helps improve the physical and mental well-being of grandmothers who serve as primary caregivers for their grandchildren.

The Atlanta Women’s Foundation is proud to fund these incredible nonprofit organizations.