Atlanta Women’s Foundation

OVERVIEW: This funder supports causes that seek to break the cycle of generational poverty among women and girls in the five-county Atlanta metro area, and it seeks to promote economic self-sufficiency.

FUNDING AREAS: Women and girls in the Atlanta area, poverty, education

IP TAKE: This funder does not accept unsolicited proposals. Grant applications are currently by invitation only.

PROFILE: The Atlanta Women’s Foundation (AWF) was originally established as a fund in 1986 that was part of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. It was re-established as an independent foundation in 1998, and it is the only public foundation in the state of Georgia solely dedicated to women and girls. The foundation seeks “to be a catalyst for change in the lives of women and girls.” Specifically, AWF supports groups that improve the lives of females living in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties. Over the years, AWF has invested over $13 million into 250+ Atlanta-area nonprofits that help local women and girls move from poverty to economic self-sufficiency. Breaking the cycle of generational poverty is at the heart of this funder’s mission.

One recent grant cycle, for example, prioritized education and life skills for women and girls to increase high school graduation rates, provide educational opportunities and improve job skills. The foundation launched a two-year initiative, the Promoting Women’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Project, in partnership with Kaiser Permanente of Georgia, to support mental health for women and girls.

Local grantmaking is the main objective of this funder, however, it also supports public policy efforts that extend beyond the Atlanta area. AWF also produces community programs, including Community Connection, which promotes economic independence for low-income women through life skills training, education and career assistance.

The other big community program here is called Women on the Board, which seeks to help women tap into their own leadership abilities to increase the number of women on nonprofit boards in Metro Atlanta. AWF also offers the Sue Wieland Award, a special annual grant of $20,000 given to one of the funder’s grantee partner organizations.

Information about recent, current and upcoming grant cycles can be found on the funder’s grants page. At least 75 percent of a program's clients must reside in the five-county service area to be eligible for a program grant or a general operating grant. Currently, the foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals.

To keep up with what AWF is doing in the Atlanta area, follow the funder’s news section and blog. General inquiries can be directed to the six-woman staff at info@atlantawomen.org.

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