For the first time in its 71-year history, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta is reimagining what it means to work with and for the community. Part of that reimagining involves a new focus and grant strategy, called TogetherATL, the Foundation’s five-year, strategic plan that embraces equity and shared prosperity as its number-one priority.

“Our new focus allows us to provide donors with specific ways to use their substantial resources to get proximate to the needs of our region,” says Frank Fernandez, president and CEO of the Foundation.

TogetherATL, launching officially on Wednesday, June 1, focuses the Foundation’s resources and influence in two categories: place-based work and systems change. 

Place-based work goes deep into communities working with, and for, residents to identify and empower positive change. An example of this place-based focus is the Foundation’s work in the East Atlanta neighborhood of Thomasville, where the organization is working with the City of Atlanta to relocate residents of Forest Cove. 

The Foundation’s systems change work will seek to effect long-term change by transforming the structures that underpin the metro Atlanta region—systems such as affordable housing, voting rights and equity in the arts. 

TogetherATL marks a paradigm shift for the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, one of the largest philanthropic organizations in the Southeast, providing an estimated $140 million in grants to more than 400 nonprofits throughout the region each year. Since its inception seven decades ago, the Foundation has shepherded just shy of $2 billion to nonprofits through its philanthropic, civic-minded donors.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 and subsequent murder of George Floyd a few months later prompted and ultimately accelerated that shift. “During the early days of COVID-19, we were faced with dual pandemics—that of the virus and of racial and social justice,” Fernandez recalls. “Atlanta and the world were forced to reckon with inequities in healthcare, education, technology and economics. It became apparent that those of us who were able to weather those pandemics did so because we benefitted from participating in the system. Not everyone has that same opportunity. We have to change that. TogetherATL says that we are at our best when we work together with our donors, our partners and our community to seek solutions to the most pressing challenges in our region and of our time.”

Those challenges are largely divided by race. For example, Atlanta has one of the worst rates of economic mobility in the U.S., despite being home to the second-largest population of mortgage-ready Black households. In addition, Atlanta remains one of the most segregated cities in the country.

Beginning June 1, the Foundation’s grant portfolio will invest in systemic approaches to reversing these realities with a focus on policy and advocacy. The TogetherATL Fund, the initiative’s namesake fund, supports equity strategies, with a focus on racial equity, across our region to build a better, greater Atlanta. The work will be done alongside stakeholders on issues that inequitably impact Asian, Black and Latino communities and the nonprofits who serve them.

In addition, the Foundation is introducing four funds dedicated to advancing systems change in the following areas:

Arts, Culture and Creative Enterprises addresses historic inequities for arts organizations, artists and small creative businesses in the metro Atlanta region. 

Housing and Neighborhoods supports the creation of a minimum of 5,000 affordable housing units in the region by 2026 and support organizations helping people to stay in their homes.

Income and Wealth reduces income and wealth gaps and increase opportunities for wealth building among Asian, Black and Latino communities.

Power and Leadership aims to increase civic engagement and voter participation rates in communities of color equal to or exceeding the national average by 2026.

The Foundation’s initial place-based work is supported by funds focused on the following three communities: 

South Cobb serves residents of South Cobb and works with residents and community stakeholders to determine which neighborhoods have the most pressing needs for support. 

South Fulton serves legacy residents of South Fulton County.

Thomasville focuses investments in historic Thomasville, a small neighborhood in Southeast Atlanta with a rich and deep history.

Applications for grants will begin opening on Wednesday, June 1, and throughout the third quarter. Nonprofits wishing to apply can do so here. The Community Foundation is also inviting all Atlanta residents to be co-creators in its work toward equity and shared prosperity. Individuals wishing to donate may do so by credit card here. 

“From Buckhead to Bankhead and every place in between, we are the community’s foundation,” says Fernandez. “What affects one of us ultimately affects us all. In order for our Atlanta region to meet the challenges we’re facing and truly be a place where all can thrive, it will take ALL of us working together. To paraphrase Dr. King, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Ultimately, equity is about justice.”

In tribute to Dr. King’s vision for the beloved community, the Community Foundation teamed up with Atlanta-based film company Tomorrow Pictures, Instagram star Monty and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens to create a song and video titled TogetherATL. Watch the video and join the TogetherATL movement here.