Empowering the Next Generation Through Partnership

At Georgia ACT, a statewide membership organization representing the state’s nonprofit housing and community development organizations, innovation and leadership development go hand in hand. Thanks to a growing partnership with the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta (CFGA), the organization is not only preparing the next generation of changemakers—it’s also transforming how it operates today.

For Dr. Bambie Hayes-Brown, President and CEO of Georgia ACT, the impact of this partnership has been both immediate and far-reaching.

“One of the most important things CFGA supported was AI training,” she said. “I can’t stress enough—it was the best training I’ve had during my more than eight years with Georgia ACT.”

Building Capacity Through Innovation

Through CFGA-facilitated training sessions, Georgia ACT participated in a year-long learning experience focused on practical applications of artificial intelligence. The program brought together 17 nonprofit organizations for six in-person sessions, along with additional webinars that encouraged peer learning and exploration of topics like ethical AI use.

For Georgia ACT’s small but mighty team of three, the investment was significant—they closed the office to attend together.

“It was just so good, we all had to go,” Hayes-Brown said. 

The results have been transformative. Today, the team regularly uses tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude to streamline daily operations.

“What used to take days, I can now get done in minutes or a few hours,” she explained. “From social media and newsletters to grant applications and impact reporting—this has made my life so much easier.”

Beyond communications, the tools are helping strengthen internal systems as well.

“We’ve used it for operations processes, financial procedures, even our employee handbook,” she said. “This is the first training where I can say I use it every single day.”

Investing in Future Leaders

In addition to capacity-building support, CFGA also provided a $40,000 grant to help launch Georgia ACT’s Next Generation Young Leaders Program, a pilot initiative designed to introduce young people to careers in community development, affordable housing, and public policy.

The idea was sparked by a moment of reflection.

“I heard that the average age of a C-suite executive in community development is 55,” Hayes-Brown said. “And I immediately thought, we have to do something about this.”

Determined to create a pipeline of younger leaders, Georgia ACT partnered with colleges and universities to recruit a cohort of 11 students. Over the course of six intensive sessions from September to November 2025, participants explored topics ranging from Advocacy 101 to how legislation works, knowledge Hayes-Brown says many young people simply aren’t exposed to today.

“Students don’t have Schoolhouse Rock anymore,” she noted. “They don’t know how a bill becomes law.”

The program also addressed the holistic needs of young leaders, including mental health training to equip students with tools to navigate stress and real-world challenges.

At the conclusion of the program, students were honored at a graduation ceremony, receiving certificates and $500 stipends funded by CFGA.

“It was a huge success,” Hayes-Brown said. “We’re tracking the students to see how they’re doing, and the goal is that they now see community development and advocacy as a viable career path.”

A Vision for What’s Next

While the initial cohort exceeded expectations, Georgia ACT is already looking ahead. The organization hopes to expand the program and ultimately run two cohorts per year, though additional funding will be needed to scale.

“We’d love to do it again,” Hayes-Brown said. “We’re currently working to raise money for a second cohort.”

For Hayes-Brown, the partnership with CFGA represents more than just funding—it’s about shared vision and meaningful investment in both people and progress.

“CFGA saw the value in what we were trying to build,” she said. “And because of that, we’re not only more effective as an organization today. We’re helping shape the leaders of tomorrow.”