Nominations are now open for the 2024 Inspire Atlanta Class!
Inspire Atlanta is a community impact program and fundraising campaign that supports The Atlanta Women’s Foundation. The Atlanta community nominates prominent women leaders each year, and AWF invites them to apply. Previous Inspire participants then select the top candidates to join Inspire Atlanta in the coming year.
Through Inspire Atlanta, women will:
- Develop their talents to garner support that affects real change in the community.
- Learn about critical issues facing women and girls in the area.
- Explore their core values and chart their unique leadership path.
- Build a network of fellow female leaders and doers.
- Champion a fundraising campaign in support of The Atlanta Women’s Foundation.
Ideal Applicants
Ideal Inspire Atlanta applicants are those who have:
- Passion for elevating women and girls, especially those affected by poverty.
- Desire to develop personally and use their talents to affect local change.
- Positions of leadership or are on leadership tracks within their workplaces.
- Previous volunteer work with nonprofits (fundraising experience a plus).
- Willingness to commit time and energy to complete the program.
- Support from their employers.
*Inspire Atlanta is a community impact program for professional and civic minded women in Atlanta, not a nonprofit training program. Nonprofit 501(c)3 employees will not be accepted due to a potential conflict of interest with the fundraising requirements.




“Through the Inspire Program you will gain incredible insight into yourself and your strengths. It is an emotional and gratifying experience! Good luck fundraising, you can accomplish more than you know. You will be amazed at the support you will get to help you achieve your goals for a good cause.”
Raj Bal, Inspire Atlanta '23
Principal Process Engineer, Novelis
Runner-Up Top Fundraiser
“Inspire Atlanta provides you a transformational opportunity to make an expansive impact in the lives of others while growing into your best self. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better experience.”
Pam Duerod, Inspire Atlanta ’23
Atlanta Regional Manager, Ford Motor Credit
Runner-Up Top Fundraiser
"Inspire Atlanta is truly a magical, stirring, and positive life-changing experience far beyond what I was expecting. Because of Inspire Atlanta, I have evolved and grown, have a network of amazing women, and connected to supporting women in the community I love."
Shameka Fahie, Inspire Atlanta ’23
Financial Manager, Georgia Institute of Technology
"Spirit of Inspire" Award Winner
“It’s hard to put into words the effect that the Inspire Atlanta program will have on you personally. It’s an experience that I will remember and treasure for the rest of my life. With that being said, it is simple to put into words the impact you’ll have on the community as a part of it - $450k in support of women and girls simple.”
Stephanie Herring, Inspire Atlanta ’23, Vice President, Software Engineering, Assurant
Top Fundraiser, Over $50,000 raised!
Program Objectives
The Inspire Atlanta Program develops women personally, professionally, and philanthropically.
Participants will manage a fundraising campaign on behalf of AWF, receiving benefits for their effort.
-
Personal — “Me"
Understand my core foundation that serves as my compass for setting the course of
my life and the impact I will have on my community. -
Professional — “My Career"
Create a professional advantage and generate differential value by inspiring my
network to influence lasting community change. -
Philanthropic — “My Community"
Develop my leadership action plan to drive the change I want to see in my community.
2024 Program Elements
Over the course of the four-month initiative, Inspire Atlanta participants will attend required sessions and have the option to attend many more optional sessions to enhance their experience. In that time, they’ll explore their core values, network with fellow community leaders, develop a broader understanding of the issues Atlanta’s women and girls face, and garner support for these issues through a fundraising campaign.
What Does Inspire Atlanta Mean for Me?
Campaign Kick-off- January 18, 2024
Orientation - January 19, 2024
Constructing My Journey: Setting up for Success
Fundraising Campaign Workshop - January 26, 2024
Walking in the Shoes of Those You're Supporting
Poverty Simulation - February 3, 2024
Mission Possible: My Efforts in Action
Research/Advocacy Training & AWF Grantee Tour - March 1, 2024
Harnessing How You Communicate Impact
HBDI Workshop - March 15, 2024
Enneagram Workshop - March 29, 2024
Women on Board Workshop
Nonprofit Board Training - April 19, 2024
Inspire Atlanta Celebration & Moving Forward
Celebration Event- May 2, 2024
+Additional expanded education sessions will be offered throughout the program
For more information, please contact Shandy Arwood, Director of Community Engagement, sarwood@atlantawomen.org.
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