BLOG

Follow along with the Atlanta Women's Foundation as we work toward our mission to be the catalyst for change that improves the lives of women and girls across metro Atlanta. In our blog, you'll find our latest philanthropic campaign success stories, highlights from community events, insights from our publicly available research reports, and other AWF news.

  • All
  • Awareness
  • Board
  • Community
  • Event
  • Events
  • Grantmaking
  • Mission
  • News
  • Public Policy
grad photo

Inspire Atlanta Class of 2024 Graduation

Inspire Atlanta Celebrates Unprecedented Success Another Record-Breaking Year! $577,000 Raised to Empower Girls Impacted by Poverty. Inspire Atlanta Class of ...
Read More
molly shannon

Molly Shannon Announced as Guest Speaker at Numbers Too Big To Ignore Luncheon

The Atlanta Women’s Foundation (AWF) announces Molly Shannon as this year’s guest speaker for its Numbers Too Big To Ignore ...
Read More
webinar screen

Changing HERstory: All Girls Forward

Thanks to everyone who joined our Changing HERstory: All Girls Forward webinar. Click on the image below to view the ...
Read More

Leading the Way

AWF Kicks off 2024 with more milestones to celebrate! It's the second half of our 25th year of changing the ...
Read More

2023: AWF Year in Review

As we enter 2024 and hit the midway point of our 25th year as the Atlanta Women’s Foundation, we want ...
Read More
2023 Sue Wieland Embracing Possibility Award Honorees

2023 Sue Wieland Embracing Possibility Award Honorees

The Sue Wieland Embracing Possibility Award is a special $20,000 grant given annually to one of the Atlanta Women’s Foundation’s ...
Read More

Brooke Shields: Spotlight on This Year’s Luncheon Speaker

The Atlanta Women's Foundation (AWF) is thrilled to welcome Brooke Shields — an esteemed actress, model, author, and advocate for ...
Read More

The Atlanta Women’s Foundation Invests $1.1 Million in the Community

ATLANTA, Aug. 29, 2023 – Living up to its mission to be a catalyst for change in the lives of ...
Read More

The Impact of Poverty on Women’s Mental Health

Poverty is a pervasive issue that affects millions of people in the United States — it can cast a shadow ...
Read More

A Donor’s Guide for Charitable Impact

Nonprofit organizations and donors are the world's champions in advancing humanitarian and social justice causes. You, our donors, fuel the ...
Read More

Atlanta Women’s Foundation ‘Inspire Atlanta’ Celebrates 2023 Grads

Record $454,000 Raised to Support Programs for Women and Girls ATLANTA, Ga. – It was a record-breaking year for empowering ...
Read More
inspire atlanta

Inspiring Impact

Success isn’t just about what you accomplish in your life; it’s about what you inspire others to do. Since the inception of ...
Read More
awf staff

The Six women who make the A-Team ROCK!

In 1986, a group of visionary women business owners founded The Atlanta Women’s Fund as part of the Community Foundation ...
Read More
Dr. Maya Angelou speaks at 1998 Numbers Too Big to Ignore luncheon

On the Quarter and a Quarter Acre and in AWF history

Maya Angelou speaks at 1998 Numbers Too Big to Ignore luncheon Twenty five years ago, in 1998, at just the ...
Read More

2022 A Year in Review

Before we leap into the New Year, we want to take some moments to reflect on what your support made ...
Read More
sue wieland award

2022 Sue Wieland Embracing Possibility Award Honorees

The Sue Wieland Embracing Possibility Award is a special grant of $20,000 given annually to one of our grantee partner ...
Read More
rita

Getting Ready for Rita

AWF is excited to have Rita Moreno Award-Winning Actress, Dancer & Singer speak at our 2022 Numbers Too Big To ...
Read More
New Board Member Collage

Meet AWF’s New Board Members

Last month we welcomed eight new members to the AWF Board of Directors. The new class of board members are ...
Read More
AWF Check Presentation Collage

Investing in Women and Girls

By DiShonda Hughes, Chief Mission Officer for The Atlanta Women’s Foundation When I started at The Atlanta Women’s Foundation 22 ...
Read More
Top row: Nancy Halwig and Becky Schmitt. Bottom row: Michele Sims and Mark Wasserman

Board Service and Beyond

Nancy Halwig Becky Schmitt Michele Sims Mark Wasserman This year we continue our annual tradition of recognizing and thanking the ...
Read More
An illustration of a woman's head made up of puzzle pieces against a blue background with the words Mental Health above her head.

Why Mental Health

In 2011, The Atlanta Women’s Foundation undertook a proprietary research project entitled Breaking the Cycle of Generational Poverty in Metro ...
Read More
Kristin Anunson

Proud to Be in a Position to Give Back

AWF’s Inspire Atlanta program strives to develop women leaders who will help affect real change for women and girls in ...
Read More
career opportunities

Career Opportunities in Technology for Single Mothers

This month’s guest contributor is Andrianna E. Hamwright, a graduate of AWF grantee Women in Technology’s technology training program for ...
Read More
A young woman entrepreneur in a store with wooden display shelves and tables filled with home good items.

Women Achieving Success Through Entrepreneurship

Since the start of the pandemic, most of the news reported gives us a bleak picture about economics, politics, and ...
Read More
2021 sue wieland award

2021 Sue Wieland Embracing Possibility Award Honorees

This summer, we lost beloved former AWF Board Member, Sue Wieland. She served on the board from 2000 to 2006, ...
Read More
aanika eragam

Poem by 2021 Atlanta Youth Poet Laureate

This year, we invited the 2021 Atlanta Youth Poet Laureate, Aanika Eragam, to read one of her poems at the ...
Read More
An above shot of multiple hands on top of one another and shoes seen below the hands.

A Look at Substance Abuse in Women and the Resources to Support Them

Thank you to guest contributor Michelle Giordano, M.S. Community Counseling, with the organization Live Another Day, for educating us on ...
Read More
A young, female child care employee sitting at a table with a girl toddler coloring in a child care center classroom. In the background is a second employee playing with two toddlers.

We Need to Talk About Child Care

When you consider the factors essential to a thriving, modern economy, does child care come to mind? If not, it ...
Read More
Collage of five headshots.

Meet AWF’s New Board Members

This month we welcomed five new members to the AWF Board of Directors. The new class of board members are ...
Read More
Middle aged woman in a headscarf standing next to her tall, adult son in a home kitchen.

Economically Empowering Refugee and Immigrant Women

Guest contributor Marjan Nadir, Women's Economic Empowerment Manager at Refugee Women’s Network (RWN), shares the story of Sahar, an Egyptian ...
Read More
AWF board spotlight

Leading by Example

Kristin Adams Cari Dawson Jennifer Hightower This year we have three amazing Board Members whose service is coming to an ...
Read More
mental health matters

Normalizing seeking support for mental health takes collective action

As we are all aware, the pandemic has impacted all aspects of our lives, including on our mental health. That’s ...
Read More
volunteer spotlights

Celebrating Eight AWF Volunteers

Since April is National Volunteer Month, we want to introduce you to eight of our wonderful volunteers and volunteer leaders, ...
Read More

A New Way to Support Mothers

A new addition to AWF’s Women’s Pathway to Success grantee cohort is Girls Inc. of Greater Atlanta and we’re incredibly ...
Read More
amal yusuf

Climb

Continuing with our Women’s History Month theme “Choose to Challenge,” we’re hearing from AWF Inspire Atlanta alumna Amal Yusuf, who ...
Read More
ann cramer

The Courage to Sit at the Head of the Table – AND yet…

Choosing to challenge any barrier a person faces takes courage. Taking the first step can be the most courageous one ...
Read More
april castro aras petrulis

Staff Spotlight: April Castro

This month we are spotlighting the newest member of the AWF staff - April Castro. April joined AWF in December ...
Read More

Georgia Women Bear the Brunt of COVID-19 Pandemic

In recognition of Poverty Awareness Month, this month’s guest contributor is Taifa Smith Butler, president and CEO of the Georgia ...
Read More

Together: Our 2020 Word of the Year

As we close out 2020, AWF’s CEO Kari B. Love shares how AWF and our community of supporters helped to ...
Read More

Holiday Volunteering with AWF Grantees

You can show your holiday spirit this season by helping out one of our grantee organizations. We’ve created a list ...
Read More
nicole hill

Finding Your Voice Through Volunteer Leadership

Education activist Malala Yousafzai said, “When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.” This month’s guest writer ...
Read More
sw embracing possibilities

2020 Sue Wieland Embracing Possibility Award Honorees

In 2006, Sue Wieland and her husband John made a $1 million gift to AWF. That generosity continues to be ...
Read More

Volunteer Spotlight: Tonya Cook & Melodi Ford

This month we're highlighting two of our wonderful longtime Numbers Luncheon volunteers - Tonya Cook, MS-HRD, CLC and Melodi Ford. ...
Read More

Commemorating the 19th Amendment

The ratification of the 19th Amendment on August 18, 1920, represented the culmination of over 70 years of the women’s ...
Read More

Two-Year Results of Economic Empowerment Program

Two years ago, thanks to a $1 million gift from The Coca-Cola Company, we launched our third collective impact grant ...
Read More
Delia Cochran

Delia Cochran, Inspire Atlanta Facilitator

This month we’re spotlighting AWF volunteer Delia Cochran, who served as facilitator for the 2020 class of Inspire Atlanta. Delia ...
Read More

Providing COVID-19 Health Care for Vulnerable Women and Children

This month’s guest contributor is Community Advanced Practice Nurses, Inc.’s (CAPN). CAPN details the impact of COVID-19 and how the ...
Read More

Communications Internship Fall 2020

We are seeking a Communications Intern for fall semester 2020. Under the supervision of the Director of Communications, the Communications ...
Read More
Shelia-Bethani-Payton

A Dynamic Duo!

Mother-daughter duo Dr. Shelia Payton and Bethani Payton-Thomas are dedicated AWF volunteers. Dr. Payton, a board certified Chiropractic Physician and ...
Read More
Alnory-Gutlay

How COVID-19 is Affecting Domestic Violence Survivors

The Center for Pan Asian Community Services is an AWF Promoting Women’s Mental Health & Wellbeing grantee and a recipient ...
Read More
covid 19 grantee relief fund

First Round of COVID-19 Grantee Relief Fund Recipients

This month AWF granted $120,000 to six nonprofit organizations for the first round of grants as part of our COVID-19 ...
Read More

Finding Inspiration to Fundraise During a Crisis

When the COVID-19 pandemic began significantly impacting the U.S. in March and leaders started issuing shelter-in-place orders, AWF’s current class ...
Read More

How the CARES Act Impacts Women

Thank you to Kim Hartsock, CPA and Megan Randolph, CPA from Warren Averett for helping to breakdown and explain the ...
Read More
Kari B. Love, AWF CEO

Our work continues: A message from Kari Love

AWF exists to help women and girls thrive, and together during this unprecedented time, we will continue to do what ...
Read More

Women’s History Month 2020 Events

For Women’s History Month 2020, we’ve put together a list of events happening around Metro Atlanta to celebrate.  We’ll be ...
Read More

Breaking Barriers

As we close out January and Poverty Awareness Month, AWF’s Executive Vice President of Mission DiShonda Hughes writes about the ...
Read More

Communications Internship Spring 2020

We are seeking a dynamic Communications Intern for spring semester 2020. Because AWF is a small, nimble organization, the Communications ...
Read More
sandra font

Growing Small Businesses

This month's guest blogger is Sandra Font, director of the ACE Women’s Business Center (WBC). Sandra writes about the work ...
Read More
monica cucalon

Latina Leadership Institute

This month's contributor to our blog is Mónica Cucalón, the Managing Director of Economic Empowerment at the Latin American Association ...
Read More

$1.2 Million Impact

In 1986, a group of visionary women founded The Atlanta Women’s Fund as part of the Community Foundation for Greater ...
Read More
poverty simulation

Look Inside Inspire Atlanta

We wanted to share what our 2019 Inspire Atlanta class has been up to since orientation in March. They are ...
Read More

With Gratitude.

As June comes to a close, so does The Atlanta Women’s Foundation’s fiscal year, which means, we also say good-bye ...
Read More

Changing Lives Changing Generations

With May being Mental Health Awareness Month and Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month, we wanted to highlight one of our Promoting ...
Read More
budgeting

Budgeting for Life

This past summer, AWF launched our latest grant program – Breaking Barriers, Building Women: Economic Empowerment Program, which focuses on ...
Read More

Inspiring Women to Lead

In the U.S., March is Women’s History Month and it is an opportunity to celebrate the inspiring women who have ...
Read More

Building Better Futures Through Education

This month we're hearing from Kerry McArdle, Executive Director of Literacy Action, on the importance of adult education and literacy. ...
Read More
terri theisen

Why Women on Board

High-Functioning Nonprofit Board Members Learn What Works – and Utilize Knowledge & Leadership Skills to Make an Impact by Terri ...
Read More

Economic Empowerment

$100. That is the median net-worth for single African American women. For single Hispanic women, it's $120. When a woman ...
Read More

2018 Women in Healthcare

Women in Healthcare presents the documentary film, ANGST. This film explores teenage anxiety and depression- its causes, effects, and what ...
Read More

Upcoming Events

This year's Women in Law will be "A Conversation with Judy Smith", Crisis Management Expert, lawyer, and the inspiration for ...
Read More

The (Mental) Weight of Poverty

“One of the most consistently replicated findings in the social sciences has been the negative relationship of socioeconomic status with ...
Read More

Asset Building Key to Breaking the Cycle of Poverty

As April is National Financial Literacy Month, we want to talk asset building, as an aspect of financial literacy, and ...
Read More

Activate in April!

April is National Volunteer Month and we are bringing to you opportunities to get involved and volunteer with several of ...
Read More
Mark Wasserman

In His Own Words

By: Mark Wasserman, Managing Partner, Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP; Co-Chief Executive Officer, Eversheds Sutherland Limited To close out this year’s ...
Read More
ashley gravlee

Inspire Atlanta: Transforming Women’s Lives through Leadership & Philanthropy

By: Ashley Gravlee, Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Novelis Inc. The Atlanta Women’s Foundation is launching a new initiative called Inspire ...
Read More
paula goodman

Paula Goodman: a passionate advocate for women and girls

June is a bittersweet time for AWF because we usually have to say good-bye to Board Members who have completed ...
Read More
Join The Atlanta Women's Foundation for a Day of Service

Join AWF for a Day of Service

AWF corporate partner Novelis is hosting a home build for a single mother and her two daughters through AWF grantee ...
Read More
Mother and Son

A Mother’s Prayer: Treat My Son as an Individual

By: Lauretta Farmer May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The primary efforts of Mental Health Awareness Month are to reduce ...
Read More
National Volunteer Month

Give Your Community A Hand

Being involved in your community will not only connect you closer to your neighborhood, but can also help you transform ...
Read More
change ahead

Equality vs. Equity

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we wanted to explore the concept of equality versus equity and how ...
Read More
Women's History Month

Celebrating Women’s History Month in Atlanta

For Women's History Month, we've pulled together a listing of events happening throughout the metro Atlanta area during the month ...
Read More
Mental Health and Wellness Impact

Promoting Women’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Project Exceeds Expectations in Year One

Since 2015, The Atlanta Women’s Foundation has invested $500,000 in the Promoting Women’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Project with the ...
Read More
20 years of celebrating women

20 Years of Celebrating Women & Girls

As plans are finalized for the 20th The Atlanta Women’s Foundation Numbers Too Big to Ignore Luncheon featuring Gloria Steinem ...
Read More
Thank you in many languages

There Aren’t Enough Languages to Say "Thank You"

As June comes to a close, so does The Atlanta Women’s Foundation’s fiscal year, which means, unfortunately, we also say ...
Read More
dr. mishawna moore

Breaking Cycles of Generational Poverty: Positioning Teen Moms for Success

In recognition of May being Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month, we invited current AWF grant recipient Families First to discuss the ...
Read More
Pledge for Parity

#PledgeForParity – International Women’s Day 2016

International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also ...
Read More
A young, female child care employee sitting at a table with a girl toddler coloring in a child care center classroom. In the background is a second employee playing with two toddlers.

Increasing Access To Child Care Helps Georgia’s Women and The State’s Economy

At The Atlanta Women’s Foundation, we know that advocacy is one of the most effective ways to combat the sort ...
Read More