Atlanta Jewish Foundation Giving Insight
Written by Ghila Sanders, VP of Philanthropic Advisory
June 17, 2026
Lately I have been using my LinkedIn platform to highlight community nonprofits that I have the honor of working with and am daily inspired by.
There are certainly too many meaningful efforts to feature, and the task can feel daunting. At the same time, I feel a responsibility to showcase this work and help connect people who may want to learn more, get involved, and support these causes.
Generosity, when paired with intentionality, has an enduring ripple effect. It is not only about making a gift; it is about noticing where strength already exists, where help is needed, and where each of us can play a role in building something larger than ourselves.
My latest post was particularly personal, because at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, I wear many hats: I am an employee, a donor and fundholder, and a community member whose family has been a beneficiary for years. That combination gives me a unique view of Federation’s work – not from a distance, but from the inside, the outside, and the very human space in between.
And I am not special in this way. Many of my colleagues share this same dual relationship -both uplifted by this organization and actively helping to sustain it. Since 1906, Federation has served as a cornerstone of Jewish philanthropy and leadership in Atlanta, bringing community, compassion, and collective action together.
It cares for those in need, strengthens Jewish education, deepens connections with Israel and Jews worldwide, and invests in the safety and security of Jewish life.
Much of this work happens quietly, often without recognition. It looks like a scholarship for a child to attend summer camp, a young adult finding belonging at a Shabbat dinner on the BeltLine, or a preschool security system that brings peace of mind to parents during uncertain times. It looks like support for older adults and Holocaust survivors, resources for families facing hardship, and programs that help people of all ages find connection and belonging across Jewish Atlanta.
What inspires me most is that this work is both practical and aspirational. It meets immediate needs while also asking bigger questions: What kind of community do we want to be? How do we ensure that people can find belonging at every age and stage of life? And how do we build the relationships and resources that will sustain Jewish Atlanta for generations to come?
Weaving together the fabric of Jewish life in our city is a daily practice, and no single organization, donor, volunteer, or professional can do this alone. Together, we create a network of care and possibility that is far stronger than any one thread.
I am continually moved by the generosity of donors and volunteers who give with purpose, responsibility, and heart. Their giving is not transactional; it is relational. It reflects trust in community, belief in Jewish continuity, and a commitment to showing up for one another in moments of joy, vulnerability, uncertainty, and hope. And as needs continue to grow, so too does the importance of investing in the future we are building together.
That is what I dedicate my days to: finding tools and opportunities to make this investment as easy, meaningful, and impactful as possible. Philanthropy often begins with curiosity – with a conversation or a question about where one’s values meet the needs of the moment.
If you want to learn more about the organizations strengthening our community, the ways Federation is helping power a thriving Jewish Atlanta, or how the Atlanta Jewish Foundation can help amplify your impact, I hope you’ll reach out to me or one of my colleagues. Community is truly our favorite subject.
