History

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In 1986, a group of visionary women business owners founded The Atlanta Women’s Fund as part of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. In 1998, that fund had grown in importance and credibility, becoming independent as The Atlanta Women’s Foundation (AWF). As the only public Foundation in Georgia dedicated solely to women and girls, AWF has invested $27 million into the community through grants and programs, helping hundreds of Atlanta area nonprofit organizations successfully move women and girls from poverty to economic self-sufficiency. In addition to strategic grantmaking, AWF provides leadership and philanthropic training to a diverse group of professional women to empower not only themselves but their communities as well.

TIMELINE

1986

Founded as the Atlanta Women’s Fund at the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta (CFGA).

1993

Launched our first "Women Who Are Homeless" Grant Cycle with the support of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW Atlanta).

1997

First Numbers Too Big To Ignore Luncheon, featured speakers Jane Fonda and Gloria Steinem.

1998

Separated from CFGA to become The Atlanta Women’s Foundation.

2000

  • Established "Angela's Fund" to raise money to help commercially sexually exploited girls in metro Atlanta.
  • Launched Women on Board.

2005

Launched the Destiny Fund Program, a leadership development program for emerging philanthropists.

2006

Established the Wieland Endowment and the Sue Wieland Embracing Possibility Award.

2009

Provided the seed funding to establish Global Village Project.

2012

Commissioned proprietary research: Breaking the Cycle of Generational Poverty in Metro Atlanta.

2015

  • Implements Collective Impact Approach to grantmaking.
  • Launched the Promoting Women’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Grant Initiative.

2016

Celebrate 20th anniversary of the Numbers Too Big To Ignore Luncheon, raising $1 million.

2017

Launched the Women’s Pathway to Success Grant Initiative.

2018

  • Celebrated 20th anniversary of the founding of AWF.
  • Launched the Breaking Barriers, Building Women: Economic Empowerment Program for Women Grant Initiative.
  • Launched community impact program for women, Inspire Atlanta.

2019

Commissioned new research: Women-Powered Prosperity in Metro Atlanta

2020

Created emergency fund for grantees most affected by the pandemic.

2021

Celebrate 25th Anniversary of the Numbers Too Big To Ignore Luncheon, once again raising $1 million!

2022

Commissioned new research: State of Girls in Metro Atlanta.

2023

  • 25th Anniversary of AWF as a 501c3!
  • Launched the ALL GIRLS FORWARD: Girls Empowerment Grantee Program