Atlanta Influences Everything: Our First Place-Based Member Convening for Atlanta Nonprofits
By Jasmine (Jaz) Burton, Atlanta Executive Director
In August, we hosted our first convening for place-based member organizations in our Atlanta Partner City. We were honored to welcome 16 organizations working across our three issue areas: aligning K–12 education and youth development, reimagining postsecondary to workforce pathways, and increasing civic and democratic engagement. Together, we explored shared challenges, surfaced opportunities, and deepened partnerships to accelerate the important work already happening in Atlanta—and across the nation—so that young people have the support and opportunities they need to thrive.
Atlanta Nonprofit Leaders: What We Gave, What We Gained, What We Need
This was the first time our place-based orgs in Atlanta met in person and the energy was high as we navigated this shared space together. Through a “Give + Get + Help Needed” exercise, participants mapped their strengths and needs:
Gives included coalition-building experience, enrichment opportunities for youth, and capacity-building insights.
Gets ranged from exploring new partnerships to learning collaborative funding models and gaining grassroots perspectives.
Help needed centered on equitable funding, strategic communications, and technical support for digital tools and shared services
This exchange made clear that while Atlanta’s ecosystem of youth-serving organizations is vibrant and diverse, there is enormous value in aligning efforts, amplifying each other’s strengths, and speaking with a collective voice.
Cross-Cutting Themes
Over the course of the convening, six themes consistently rose to the top as priority areas for Atlanta nonprofits:
Partnerships & Collaboration – Members emphasized the power of coalition-building and working across silos to meet youth needs.
Community Needs & Perspectives – Understanding youth and family voice is critical to designing effective solutions.
Capacity Building & Skills Sharing – From fundraising and marketing expertise, to shared HR and IT systems, members are eager to learn from and alongside each other.
Funding, Advocacy & Policy – Equitable access to resources, deepening philanthropic partnerships, and engaging with policy were recurring priorities.
Data, Storytelling & Communications – Members stressed the importance of data and narrative in showing impact and shaping public will.
Youth Engagement & Programming – Enrichment programs, workforce pathways, and targeted supports for foster youth and girls emerged as key areas of focus.
Opportunities for Place-Based Collective Action
In breakout sessions, members engaged in problem diagnosis and “How Might We” design exercises across three core issue areas:
Aligning K–12 Education and Youth Development: Participants highlighted the urgent need to strengthen connections between schools and employers, ensuring students are equipped with academic training, the ability to navigate and develop social-emotional skills (or durable skills), and have access to social capital. Members emphasized the need to bridge the gap between youth talent and Georgia’s industry leaders, while elevating the value of career exposure and workforce readiness.
Reimagining Postsecondary to Workforce Pathways: Conversations centered on college affordability, systemic barriers to enrollment, and the importance of cultivating a “college-going” mindset. Members underscored the need for holistic supports—housing, food security, mentorship, and a sense of belonging—to help students persist and succeed. Attendees elevated chronic absenteeism and student disengagement as warning signs that traditional approaches aren’t meeting young people where they are. The challenge: adults must be more innovative in how we prepare students for an evolving workforce.
Increasing Civic and Democratic Engagement: Leaders identified misinformation, lack of trust, and fragmented leadership as key obstacles. They stressed the need for families to have clearer access to rights, resources, and trustworthy information while prioritizing wellbeing and human flourishing in civic life.
Looking Ahead
The Atlanta convening was just the beginning. By bringing together education leaders, community organizations, and advocates across sectors, we are laying the foundation for stronger, more connected support systems for young people. The energy, honesty, and creativity shared in the room point to what’s possible when we commit to collaboration.
We are grateful to every leader and organization that joined us in Atlanta.
21st Century Leaders
Achieve Atlanta
Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education
Girl Scouts
GLISI
Hands On Atlanta
HEY (Helping Empower Youth)
Emerging 100
First Tee
Multi-Agency Alliance for Children (MAAC)
Moving in the Spirit
OneGoal Atlanta
Purpose Built Schools Atlanta
RedefinED Atlanta
Soccer in the Streets
STE(A)M Truck
Watch the video below and learn more about our Partner Cities work here.