Announcement from the Fitzgerald Foundation
THE BETTY AND DAVIS FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVES A RENEWED STRATEGIC DIRECTION
January 1, 2024
The Betty and Davis Fitzgerald Foundation is pleased to announce a renewed strategic direction following a comprehensive planning process facilitated by Boldly Go. The iterative six-month planning process incorporated grantee feedback surveys, Board and staff interviews, focus groups, and external needs assessments.
Education and mental health have long been the keystones of the Betty and Davis Fitzgerald Foundation’s philanthropic endeavors. From our inception, driven by Betty’s own encounters with mental health challenges, to the presence of former educators and nonprofit practitioners on our Board, these causes have taken root in the Foundation’s core. We also know that Georgia’s fragmented system limits access to high-quality, equitable mental health services and educational opportunities.
As advances have been made in understanding and addressing the root causes of systemic inequity in these fields, the Foundation appreciates that its focus and strategy must be routinely revisited to ensure it remains a relevant and responsive partner. With humility, we recognize the need for focused and strategic philanthropy to effect meaningful systems change while providing immediate support to those in need.
Our learning journey has been steered by data-driven insights, enriched through dialogue with practitioners and the community, and illuminated by our collective experiences.
The Betty and Davis Fitzgerald Foundation is now poised to support organizations committed to enhancing quality education and mental health access for families experiencing low income, particularly those strengthening talent pipelines, championing systemic solutions, and promoting collaboration.
Specifically, the Foundation’s new priorities are to:
1. Support high-quality, culturally relevant talent development, training, and placement for educators and mental health workforce to better serve families with low income in areas with shortages.
2. Champion advocacy and policy agendas that strengthen and support the current workforce and broaden access for families with low income.
3. Promote strategic partnerships and coordinated approaches to enhance access for families with low income.
The Foundation’s commitment to equity and limited capacity compel it to prioritize opportunities that
focus on supporting families with low-income in historically marginalized or underserved communities. To increase our effectiveness and understanding of local systems, the Foundation's funding efforts will be concentrated on organizations serving the 21-county Metro Atlanta area.
The Foundation acknowledges the pervasive and deep-rooted nature of systemic injustice that permeates every level of society, significantly impacting the lives and well-being of our community. We see the pursuit of racial justice as ongoing and integral, not as a separate focus. We are dedicated to integrating a racial equity lens across all aspects of our operations, governance, and grantmaking approach. This commitment is strengthened by our Board and staff's diverse experiences and perspectives, enhancing our drive for impactful change.
The Foundation will offer four open application grant cycles annually and will implement a new online grant management system to streamline the application process. Additionally, we are considering the introduction of a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to complement our open application process in
2025.
To learn more about the Foundation’s revamped strategic direction, application process, and timeline, please visit www.bettyanddavisfitzgerald.org.