West Atlanta nonprofits receive coaching, training in new effort

Initiative to assist in developing long-term growth.

An effort that has strengthened nonprofit organizations in six Georgia communities has taken root in Atlanta’s westside.

The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, in partnership with the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, has established the Westside Momentum initiative to assist nonprofits in developing strategies for long-term growth.

The Blank Foundation has already been working in historic westside neighborhoods in the shadow of the Georgia Dome. The foundation established the $15 million Westside Neighborhood Prosperity Fund in 2013.

“The thing that excites us about Westside Momentum is the opportunity to open doors and provide tools and additional support for westsidebased nonprofits, who for years have been uplifting and enriching the quality of life in these communities, with limited resources,” said Frank Fernandez, the Blank Foundation’s vice president for community development.

Six core groups will work with consultants and business coaches to design their strategy, revenue and staffing models, improve internal process, track program effectiveness, and work as a team to address community needs. Thirty-nine additional groups will receive training for one year.

The groups represent all aspects of the community. “They are working with young people, creating roads to success and a vibrant sense of place,” said Karen Beavor, CEO of the Georgia Center for Nonprofits.

The Rev. Howard Beckham, executive director of Integrity Transformations Community Development Corporation, said his group wants to improve board and staff development as well as organizational structure. The nonprofit was founded in 1995 to help residents in the Vine City and English Avenue neighborhoods deal with issues such as unemployment and substance abuse. Beckham is the pastor of New Jerusalem Baptist Church.

Since 2011, the Georgia Center for Nonprofits has organized Momentum projects for more than 100 nonprofit organizations in Augusta, Albany, Macon, Haralson County/Carrollton, Savannah and the lower coastal area (Camden and Glynn counties).

Momentum also builds collaborations among participants. A nonprofit serving grandparents linked up with a technical college in the lower coastal area to address a major disconnect for grandparents raising their grandchildren: digital literacy.

“Often teachers reach out (to parents) over email,” said Beavor. “They formed a collaboration so the technical school helped train the grandparents.”