Purpose in Action: Highlighting Clients in Mentorship & Education
At Purpose Possible, we deeply value and admire the incredible work our clients and consultants do each day. January is National Mentoring Month—a time to celebrate the transformative power of education and honor the mentors shaping the future of our communities.
Below, we are showcasing organizations that provide youth mentorship programs, after-school initiatives, and professional development opportunities. Continue reading to learn more about 21st Century Leaders, East Atlanta Kids Club, Breakthrough Atlanta, and Science ATL.
21st Century Leaders
Mission: 21st Century Leaders is a non-profit organization that connects, transforms, and inspires high school students across Georgia to promote inclusion, explore career opportunities, and become leaders in their school, community, and ultimately the workforce.
Consultants: Mindy Schweitzer-Rawls, Caroline Egan, Amy Bowman
The Work: Purpose Possible is proud to collaborate with 21st Century Leaders (21CL), one of our longest-running fundraising clients. We’ve supported 21CL in grant writing, annual giving campaigns, and their endowment fundraising efforts. Additionally, our communications team has helped produce the organization’s impactful annual report. We are honored to contribute to their mission of creating lifelong leaders across the state of Georgia.
“Our team has worked alongside organizational leadership and the board of directors to secure the resources needed to sustain and expand their mission to create lifelong leaders by investing in high school youth across Georgia. The “Empowering Our Future” will change the trajectory of countless lives, giving these students the tools to become not just participants in their communities but leaders who drive innovation and inspire others for years to come. Knowing the long-term impact our today will have on students, their families, and the future workforce is personally fulfilling.”
“For nearly three years, I have had the privilege of working with 21st Century Leaders (21CL) as a grant writer and annual giving fundraiser, and I remain deeply inspired by the transformative impact of their work. What sets 21CL apart is its statewide reach, influencing high school students not just in Atlanta but in cities and communities across Georgia. Under the leadership of Kate Hewitt, Executive Director, 21CL continues to grow its presence across the state, ensuring no student is overlooked. I take pride in sharing the impact of their work through grant applications and annual giving campaigns, and I look forward to watching them continue to make an impact in 2025!”
“I’ve had the delightful experience of supporting 21 Century Leaders in their fundraising efforts for their endowment fund! This has mainly consisted of developing strategies & materials for board members to engage donors, prospects, and their networks to participate in the campaign. Having the opportunity to work directly with board members - arguably the most dedicated volunteers you’ll find in an organization - is so rewarding as I get to hear all the stories of why the organization means so much to them. I’m so impressed with the leadership that 21CL has cultivated to be the vital support that is their board. To have so many devoted, passionate people guiding their organization is a true testament to their mission!”
East Atlanta Kids Club
Location: Atlanta, GA
Mission: Building a promising future for the children of southeast Atlanta.
Consultant: Katie Busch
The Work: EAKC enriches the lives of southeast Atlanta youth through after-school activities, summer camps, mentorship, and S.T.E.A.M.-focused initiatives. Their programs empower children and teens, predominantly from low-income families, with academic support, leadership development, and life skills. Together with EAKC’s leadership, we work to ensure these impactful programs continue fostering brighter futures for Atlanta’s next generation. Purpose Possible supports East Atlanta Kids Club (EAKC) through fundraising partnerships that help sustain their vital programs.
“At Purpose Possible, our mission to create meaningful impact through innovation, experimentation, and inclusivity is exemplified in our work with the East Atlanta Kids Club (EAKC). As a Senior Consultant, it is immensely rewarding to collaborate with the inspirational and deeply committed professional and lay leadership at EAKC, particularly Executive Director Ryan Downy, whose tireless advocacy for the organization and the community is truly transformative. Supporting EAKC’s mission to build promising futures for the children of southeast Atlanta through their Kids Club, Teen Club, Summer Camp, and food insecurity initiatives is both humbling and fulfilling. Knowing that my expertise contributes to the growth and sustainability of a program that provides mentorship, leadership development, and joy to at-risk youth makes this work deeply meaningful. It is my hope that my contributions have a lasting impact, helping to pave the way for brighter futures for these deserving children.”
Breakthrough Atlanta
Mission: Increase academic opportunity for highly motivated, underserved students and get them into college ready to succeed; and inspire and develop the next generation of teachers and educational leaders.
Consultant: Saskia Benjamin
The Work: Breakthrough Atlanta is an organization committed to increasing academic opportunities for highly motivated, underserved students in the Atlanta area, guiding them toward college readiness and success.
Their six-year, tuition-free, year-round program begins in middle school and continues through high school, offering a comprehensive pathway to college. The program includes a six-week summer session focusing on core academic subjects and creative electives, as well as year-round support through workshops, college counseling, and pre-college experiences. Additionally, Breakthrough Atlanta inspires and develops the next generation of teachers and educational leaders by providing hands-on teaching internships for college students.
“Breakthrough Atlanta was my first client with Purpose Possible, and I have had the pleasure of filling several roles with them over the past year including Interim Director of Development and now, with my current role as grant writer. Working closely with Breakthrough development staff, I provide additional fundraising capacity to the organization by focusing my time on raising funds from foundation, government, and corporate funders. Part of what makes Breakthrough’s work so special is their “Students Teaching Students” model that harnesses the power of having a teacher from a similar background leading the class, as minority students are proven to perform better on standardized tests, have improved attendance and are suspended less frequently when they have at least one same-race teacher. As a parent, I connect with and believe in the mission of this organization and as such it is a pleasure to write grants for them that describe all the ways that Breakthrough supports their students academically and socially-emotionally, and their Teaching Fellows professionally.”
Science ATL
Mission: To cultivate an equitable community of lifelong learners across metro Atlanta who are connected and inspired by the wonder of science.
Consultants: Blake Beckham, Blair Keenan, Natalia Garzón Martínez, Catherine Warfield
The Work: Science ATL is dedicated to fostering a love for STEM through programs like the Atlanta Science Festival and Georgia Chief Science Officers (CSO) leadership development. The organization partners with researchers, engineers, technicians, artists, graduate students, and anyone working in a STEM-related career and brings 100 STEM pros to visit 100 classrooms across metro Atlanta to inspire students.
Purpose Possible, has supported Science ATL by crafting a strategic plan and enhancing their fundraising strategies, ensuring their programs can thrive and grow. Their passion for science and community impact makes every collaboration truly energizing and rewarding.
“Working with Meisa Salaita and Jordan Rose (Co-Executive Directors), the board of directors and staff was an absolute pleasure. My colleagues from the organizational strategy team and I helped them craft their most recent strategic plan and watching them meticulously and intentionally consider the input they received from partners, program participants, volunteers, and educators was inspiring. Their enthusiasm for science is truly contagious; their dedication to enhance their work and deepen their commitment to the students they hope to inspire is truly remarkable. I get to work with a lot of EDs for strategic plans and I can honestly say Jordan and Meisa are leading the organization, both internally and externally, with a genuine commitment to the programs and the people they impact. I am so happy they continued working with Purpose Possible so I don’t have to say goodbye! ”
“After working with Purpose Possible to articulate their organizational priorities in a Strategic Plan, Science ATL identified the need to boost their fundraising efforts, and our firm stepped in to lead the way. Now, we are working with Science ATL on developing plans and strategies that will allow their organization to grow, thrive and accelerate their community impact. Our goal is to help them grow their capacity while minimizing the impact on staff time, which is always a precious resource for our clients. I love working with Science ATL because they bring fun-loving energy and open-minded curiosity to everything they do. They are thoughtful decision makers who care deeply for the quality of their programs and the impact of their work, especially upon young people. Their passion for science is energizing and contagious. They are devoted to STEM - not only as an economic driver, but as a seedbed for imagination and insight. They are committed to creating a future in which scientific exploration is a shared community value, and a learning experience that’s available to all. ”
