Capacity Building Grants Awarded to 45 Westside Atlanta Nonprofits Through Westside Momentum Initiative
ATLANTA, March 19, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, in partnership with the Georgia Center for Nonprofits (GCN), has announced 45 nonprofits selected to take part in Westside Momentum, a three-year capacity building initiative of the Westside Neighborhood Prosperity Fund designed to increase the impact and sustainability of organizations based in Atlanta's historic Castleberry Hill, English Avenue and Vine City neighborhoods.
Momentum, piloted in 2011, is the first and largest project of its kind in Georgia and was developed by GCN to support the work of nonprofits addressing complex issues in communities around the state. Westside Momentum is the first time this process has been offered in Metro Atlanta, and will actively support and measure growth at the individual, team and organization level to enhance strategic capacity, leadership skills, collaboration and sustainability for Westside-based nonprofits.
"We publically committed to being a catalyst to help transform the Westside neighborhoods. Through our work, we know that nonprofits serving the Westside of Atlanta are a critical piece of the equation," stated Frank Fernandez, Vice President of Community Development, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. "Through Westside Momentum, those organizations selected have the opportunity to access resources that have long been needed to increase their collective community impact."
Selected nonprofits were invited to take part in one of the program's two group tracks.
The Core Group will work through an array of training seminars, personalized business coaching and consulting, and deep leadership training. In addition, annual financial support will be provided to aid in the execution of necessary practices and investments needed for becoming higher impact nonprofits. Organizations participating in the Core Group include: 21st Century S.T.E.M. Foundation, Integrity Transformations Community Development Corporation, Phoenix Boys Association, Raising Expectations, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, and a collaborative team from the English Avenue Neighborhood Association and Vine City Civic Association.
Additionally, 39 nonprofits have been selected to comprise the Community Group, with access to hands-on training, networking, and year-long programs focused on management, leadership and governance training. Community Group nonprofits include: The 3x3 Project, A Hand Up Ministries, Abel 2, Actor's Express, Antioch Urban Ministries, Assembly of Truth Ministries, Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency, Central Community Services, Community Empowerment Development Corporation, The Community Foundation for Financial Literacy, Create Your Dreams, Field of Dreams Academy, First Step Staffing, Flight Buddies Foundation, Foreverfamily, Friends of Lillian Cooper Shephard Park, Fulton County Court Appointed Special Advocates, Georgia Micro Enterprise Network, GivingPoint, Grow Montessori School, Hagar Civilization Missionary Training, Historic Westside Cultural Arts Council, Historic Westside Gardens ATL, HOPE Through Divine Intervention, The Joseph and Evelyn Lowery Institute for Justice and Human Rights at Clark Atlanta University, Lifecycle Building Center, Meals on Wheels Atlanta, Midtown Assistance Center, Morehouse Alumni Mentoring Program, The Music Education Group, New Hope Enterprises, Resources for Residents and Communities of Georgia, The Roosevelt House, SafeHouse Outreach, The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Greater Atlanta, Southeastern Horticultural Society, Truly Living Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture, Urban Perform, and Walking Through the Vine.
"When nonprofits are strong, strategic, and sustainable, their impact on the issues and causes important to communities are greater. We're excited to offer Momentum to the organizations and leaders working to make the Westside a great place to live, work, and play," said GCN President and CEO Karen Beavor.
About The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
Formed in 1995, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation promotes innovative solutions to transform the lives of youth and their families, seeking results that move communities beyond what seems possible today. For more information about The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, visit www.blankfoundation.org or follow us on Twitter at @blankfoundation.
About the Georgia Center for Nonprofits
The Georgia Center for Nonprofits builds thriving communities by helping nonprofits succeed. Through a powerful mix of advocacy, solutions for nonprofit effectiveness, and insight building tools, GCN provides nonprofits, board members and donors with the tools they need to strengthen organizations that make a difference on important causes throughout Georgia. Learn more at GCN.org, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Media Contact:
Alison Sawyer
The Arthur M. Blank Family of Businesses
404-367-2063
[email protected]
SOURCE Georgia Center for Nonprofits
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