Foundation Kicks off its 25th Year with Heavy Investment and Releases New Research on the
State of Girls in Metro Atlanta
Living up to its mission to be a catalyst for change in the lives of women and girls, Atlanta Women’s Foundation (AWF) is providing $1.14 million to 21 nonprofits serving women and girls in Clayton, Cobb, Dekalb, Gwinnett, and Fulton Counties. The funds were distributed at a check presentation event held at the Ansley Golf Club on August 24, 2023.
The event welcomed 100 attendees, including recipient nonprofit leaders, AWF board members,
AWF Board Alumni and others who have raised funds and donated to the foundation.
“What’s special about this particular moment is that along with kicking off our 25th anniversary,
AWF is launching our All Girls Forward Empowerment Program,” explains Kari B. Love, chief
executive officer of AWF.
Through its All Girls Forward Empowerment Program, the Atlanta Women’s Foundation will
award a total of $2.5 million over five years to 10 local nonprofit organizations providing
girls-serving programs. The initial funding for the program, was primarily raised by this year’s
Inspire Atlanta class, many of whom were present when the inaugural checks – totaling
$500,000 – were presented to the recipient nonprofit organizations.
The check presentation also included grants made to the nonprofits selected for two other
Atlanta Women’s Foundation cohorts – the Two-Generation Initiative funded by the Liz Blake
Giving Fund and the Economic Empowerment Program funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation.
“We couldn’t be more grateful for the companies, organizations, and individuals who contribute
to AWF to make this investment possible,” states Love.
State of Girls in Metro Atlanta 2023
A recent research study commissioned by the Atlanta Women’s Foundation reveals that
continuing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, girls in metro Atlanta are facing exacerbated
negative effects. Factors such as disruptions in education, pressure to serve as caretakers for
younger siblings, mental health issues, an uptick in obesity rates, and an increase in the
proportion of girls living in poverty require a comprehensive, strategic response. The full report
is available here.
A few key takeaways from the study include:
● Population: 40 percent of girls (largest share) in metro Atlanta are Black
● Economic Insecurity: Girls are more likely to live in poverty than boys and poverty
rates are highest for girls of color
