In a world where the stakes for the environment and society have never been higher, the need for innovative interdisciplinary research is crucial. The James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies (LGS) is rising to meet this need with a pioneering new PhD program in Environmental Sciences and Society. The first of its kind at […]
Category: Thought Leadership
Posted inHistoric Westside
October Summit Recap: Faith in Action – Uplifting the Community Through Service and Support with Antioch Baptist Church North and Antioch Urban Ministries
The October 18 Transform Westside Summit brought together a diverse group of attendees—business and faith leaders, community members and Westside residents—all committed to the shared mission of strengthening the Westside through meaningful service and support. John Ahmann, Westside Future Fund President and CEO, and Ebony Ford, a proud resident of English Avenue, welcomed attendees and Dr. Alix Pierre, a Senior Lecturer at Spelman […]
Posted inSecuring Atlanta's Future
GEEARS’ Annual Luncheon Features Matt Ryan!
On Thursday, November 21st, GEEARS will host our annual luncheon and our headliner is super exciting: Former Falcons quarterback and children’s advocate, Matt Ryan. Here are three reasons you should snag your ticket today! Beyond all these enticements, purchasing a ticket or table supports GEEARS’ work to ensure that every child in Georgia has the […]
Posted inCorporate Community Impact
Planning for Successful Year-End Volunteering
By Carley Stephens, Senior Manager of Community Affairs, Gas South It’s that time of year again when all of us are thinking more about how we can give back to those who need help the most. At Gas South, giving is always on our minds, as our company purpose is to Be A Fuel For […]
Posted inGlobal Health & Development
75 Years of Transforming the Health and Hope of Georgians
In 1949, Atlanta was undergoing significant changes, reshaping one of America’s most dynamic cities. The city was transitioning from a streetcar-centered layout to an automobile-focused infrastructure, with cars quickly becoming the primary mode of transportation. At the same time, Atlanta’s health landscape was also evolving, marked by the founding of the Georgia chapter of the […]
Posted inSecuring Atlanta's Future
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month: ENCOREplus Annual Tea
October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when communities come together to raise awareness about the disease and advocate for life-saving screenings and treatment. In Georgia, breast cancer remains a serious concern. According to recent data from the American Cancer Society, nearly 9,800 women in the state of Georgia are estimated to be diagnosed […]
Posted inHistoric Westside
970 Partner Spotlight: Food Well Alliance – Cultivating Community Through Urban Agriculture
In 2019, Food Well Alliance and Westside Future Fund partnered to purchase and revitalize 970 Jefferson St. NW, the historic site of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Bill Bolling and John Ahmann played pivotal roles in making this acquisition a reality, turning a shared vision into a success. The two organizations collaborate on managing the […]
Posted inFinancial Inclusion
Building Dreams: How Homeownership Drives Stability and Generational Wealth
At Operation HOPE, we firmly believe homeownership is more than just acquiring a roof over one’s head—it’s a vital step toward financial empowerment, stability, and the creation of generational wealth. For underserved and underrepresented communities, these benefits are not just incremental but transformative. By equipping individuals with the tools and knowledge to become homeowners, we are […]
Posted inPhilanthropy
Inspired Generosity: Uplifting overlooked stories in Muslim American philanthropy
By Dilnaz Waraich, President, WF Fund Inspired Generosity: Muslim American Stories in Philanthropy, launched at the Auburn Avenue Research Library on Sept 17 as a multimedia showcase featuring videos, photos, poetry, digital art, and audio stories from the community on acts of kindness. This three-year, traveling showcase will shine a light on the central place of […]
Posted inSustainable Communities
Georgia Leads in Building Envelope and Ductwork Standards
As concerns about energy costs, carbon emissions, and airborne hazards grow, more homeowners and housing developers are focusing on building performance. Over the past several decades, Georgia has become a leader in two of the most important performance indicators: the tightness of a home’s duct system and its thermal envelope (the walls, doors, windows, roofs, […]
Posted inPeople, Places & Parks
Creating Habitat for Birds Along the Chattahoochee
By Jared Teutsch, Executive Director From its humble beginnings as a small stream in North Georgia all the way to the Florida border where it joins with the Flint River and ultimately drains into Florida’s Apalachicola Bay, the Chattahoochee River is a popular place with outdoor enthusiasts, from birders and paddlers to hikers, anglers and […]
Posted inHigher Education
Lessons from treating Ebola patients lead to Emory’s new Healthcare Test Kitchen Lab
Ten years ago, as the nation’s first patient with Ebola virus disease was transported to Emory University Hospital, charge nurse Jill Morgan, RN, was faced with a pivotal question: How? How could health care workers be certain of biocontainment? How could the risk of infection be mitigated, making the patient’s bedside as safe as possible? “I never […]
Posted inHistoric Westside
Westside Future Fund Receives $50,000 Grant from Bank of America to Support Home on the Westside Program
Westside Future Fund (WFF) is excited to announce that we have received a $50,000 grant from Bank of America, a long-time supporter of our mission to revitalize and restore Atlanta’s historic Westside neighborhoods. This generous grant will support WFF’s signature Home on the Westside program, which is designed to provide high-quality, affordable housing solutions and increase […]
Posted inPeople, Places & Parks
Atlanta’s parks are the places to be this fall — Get outside to see them in their vibrant glory!
By Hannah E. Jones, Park Pride’s Marketing & Communications Manager Atlantans know that we’ve had a tough few weeks – with the impact of Hurricane Helene and, right on its heels, a BioLab chemical fire in Conyers – and going outside hasn’t been exactly ideal. But with that fading in the rearview mirror, let’s all […]
Posted inGlobal Health & Development
Reflecting on the Legacy of Dikembe Mutombo, NBA Legend and CDC Foundation Board Member
By Judy Monroe, MD One of my first actions after being selected in 2016 by the CDC Foundation Board of Directors to serve as the president and CEO was to meet individually with each board member. Dikembe Mutombo had joined the CDC Foundation Board of Directors in the fall of 2014. We agreed to meet […]
Posted inHistoric Westside
Ride for the Westside: A Community in Motion
This year’s Ride for the Westside brought together 435 participants, all moving with purpose for a brighter future for the historic Westside. Hosted by the Westside Future Fund (WFF) and Quest Community Development Corporation (Quest CDC), the event offered something for everyone, featuring an 11-mile bike ride, a 5K race, and a walking tour of the historic Westside. […]
Posted inPeople, Places & Parks
Wheels of Change: How a Bike Park Benefits Everyone
Planning and fundraising are underway for the new Bike Park at Westside Park. Catalyzed by a generous lead gift from the Chestnut Family Foundation, this project will be one of Atlanta’s most distinctive and inclusive biking facilities, bringing a fresh recreational opportunity to communities across the metro area that users of all ages, abilities, and […]
Posted inCorporate Community Impact
Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta accepts nominations for Carol D. Reiser Youth Service Award
Each year, the Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta (CVC) presents the Carol D. Reiser Youth Service Award which is named in loving memory of CVC co-founder and past president, Carol Reiser. Reiser enjoyed a long career with Rich’s/Macy’s and established the company’s innovative “Partners in Time” volunteer program, which is still active today. The Reiser award […]
Posted inSmall Business
Maria Guerra-Stoll named to Georgia Film Commission
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp recently appointed Maria Guerra-Stoll, the CEO of Atlanta’s GSB Architects and Interiors, to the Georgia Film, Music and Digital Entertainment Advisory Commission. Guerra-Stoll, also the principal of PAM Studios (Playa Azul Media) in Rome, was a pioneer in the design and implementation of the sound stages, backlots and studios that now […]
Posted inPhilanthropy
You Are a Philanthropist
By Josh Dukelow, gift planning officer Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta Nine-figure gifts from MacKenzie Scott or Arthur M. Blank often make headlines, and those donations are certainly newsworthy. But those eye-popping numbers can create a mistaken impression that “philanthropy” is something only ultra-wealthy people can do. In fact, philanthropy is something we can all […]
