CATALYST
COMMUNITY
Leadership Investment for Women and Girls in Metro Atlanta
The Catalyst Community invites individuals to make leadership investments that expand and sustain impact for women and girls across metro Atlanta.
Through flexible, mission-aligned funding, Catalyst Community donations enable Atlanta Women’s Foundation to respond to emerging needs, strengthen nonprofit partners, and advance research-driven solutions that improve economic stability, education, and mental health for women and families.
Why This Community Matters
Women and girls across metro Atlanta face interconnected challenges — including economic instability, caregiving pressures, and rising mental health needs.
Nonprofit organizations working on the front lines report growing demand, while resources remain limited.
The Catalyst Community strengthens Atlanta Women’s Foundation’s ability to respond. Increasing flexible funding allows AWF to:
- Invest in proven nonprofit partners
- Launch new initiatives addressing emerging needs, including mental health
- Strengthen the nonprofit ecosystem through capacity building and evaluation
- Expand solutions that improve stability for women and families
When we invest in women and girls, we strengthen and stabilize our entire community.
*Catalyst Community donors typically make an annual leadership gift with the intent to renew year over year, providing sustained support that allows AWF to respond strategically to the evolving needs of women and girls.
What Catalyst Investments Make Possible
Catalyst Community investments provide the flexible philanthropic capital that powers Atlanta Women’s Foundation’s work as a funder, educator, and connector.
Your support helps AWF:
Expand proven initiatives
Supporting programs that strengthen economic mobility, education, and opportunity for women and girls.
Advance mental health solutions
Launching a new mental health funding cohort and expanding support for women, girls, and families.
Strengthen nonprofit partners
Investing in leadership development, evaluation, and capacity-building that helps organizations grow and sustain impact.
Drive research and community leadership
Producing research and convening leaders to better understand and respond to the needs of women and girls across metro Atlanta.
Men Stepping Up:
Visible Leadership Creates Lasting Change
A generous Catalyst Community donor has committed $50,000 to match leadership gifts from men, doubling the impact of commitments of $5,000 or more. She made this gift in honor of her father, who believed deeply in supporting women and strengthening families.
Through this match, she hopes to inspire more men to step forward as visible leaders for women and girls across metro Atlanta. Each qualifying gift will be matched — accelerating investment in solutions that strengthen economic stability, education, and mental health for women, girls, and families.
This is more than a match. It’s a moment to lead.
Catalyst Community Donors
Leadership gifts to the Catalyst Campaign help expand and sustain Atlanta Women’s Foundation’s impact.
Special Thanks To Our 2026 Campaign Donors:
Anonymous
Kristin R. Adams
Elaine B. Alexander
Fiona Bell*
Dimitrios Efstathiou*
Mary C. Gill*
Tish Harrison
Monique and Justin Honaman
Caroline Irvine*
Becky Powhatan Kelley
Ken and Molly Kress
John Latham
Meredith Leapley*, Campaign Co-Chair
Temme Barkin-Leeds and Stephen R. Leeds
Elizabeth Noe
Kate Pearch
Beth S. Schapiro, Ph.D.
Anne Joyner Sheehan
Liz Stanton*, Campaign Co-Chair
Ray Uttenhove*
*Catalyst Campaign Committee
**Donor list as of June 1, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
The Catalyst Community recognizes and connects donors who make leadership-level annual investments in the Atlanta Women's Foundation. Together, they strengthen AWF's ability to improve the lives of women and girls across metro Atlanta through strategic grantmaking, research, and community leadership.
Many Catalyst donors choose to make an annual gift with the intention of renewing it over several years. While these commitments are always flexible and can change as circumstances change, they provide AWF with greater confidence to plan ahead, invest strategically, and fulfill our commitment to invest at least $1 million annually in grants that benefit women and girls across metro Atlanta.
Catalyst Community gifts provide flexible funding that allows AWF to respond to emerging needs, invest in the areas where research shows the greatest opportunity for impact, strengthen nonprofit partners, and advance long-term solutions that improve economic security, health, education, and opportunity for women and girls.
Catalyst Community gifts may be made by credit card, check, stock or other appreciated assets, or through a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF). Many Catalyst donors choose to make an annual gift with the intention of renewing their support over several years. Each year, an AWF representative will reach out to discuss your continued support, answer any questions, and confirm your gift for the coming year. If you would like to discuss giving options or payment schedules, our team is happy to work with you to create a plan that aligns with your philanthropic goals.
Every investment made by AWF is guided by research, community insight, and measurable outcomes. We carefully vet our nonprofit partners, monitor results, and share updates with donors throughout the year. Since our founding, AWF has invested more than $32 million to improve the lives of women and girls across metro Atlanta.
Not at all. Many supporters engage with AWF in a variety of ways, including the Numbers Too Big To Ignore Luncheon, Inspire Atlanta, annual giving, volunteer leadership, and advocacy. The Catalyst Community is one opportunity for individuals who wish to make a deeper, sustained investment in AWF's mission.
We would be delighted to talk with you about the Catalyst Community, discuss giving options, or help you determine the approach that best aligns with your philanthropic goals. Please contact us at info@atlantawomen.org, and we'll be happy to assist you.
Atlanta Women’s Foundation Impact
Since 1998, AWF has invested $30M+ in women and girls across metro Atlanta.
2025 initiatives include:
Girls reached through
All Girls Forward
Women served through
Breaking Barriers
Measurable improvements in economic stability, education, and housing outcomes for women