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City staff seeks council support for Empowered by Getting Ahead gala to bolster housing stability programs
Summary
Office of Equity, Inclusion and Empowerment staff asked council to help promote an empowerment gala on Jan. 30, 2026, that would raise sponsorships to support a six-month stability cohort; staff said the program has engaged 200+ families in financial-literacy classes but the officecurrently has only $350,000 in general-fund support after prior grant funding ended.
A city presentation on Dec. 8 outlined the "Empowered by Getting Ahead" framework and a related fundraising gala staff want the council to promote and support.
Representatives from the Office of Equity, Inclusion and Empowerment described the program as a six-month cohort designed to increase economic mobility through financial literacy, credit education, workforce development and housing support. The presentation said the officehas engaged more than 200 families in budgeting and money-management classes, supported about 65 families toward homeownership and said past funding streams (ARPA, CDBG, ESG and general funds) totaled roughly $2 million from FY20 through FY26.
"Our goal is to sponsor 25 families at $10,000 each," the presenter said, describing the gala as the signature fundraiser to sustain the framework and expand rapid rehousing and support services. Staff set the gala date for Jan. 30, 2026, and estimated event costs near $30,000; the sponsorship packet includes levels up to $10,000.
Council members pressed staff on whether the event could close the office's funding gap. Staff responded the gala alone would not replace the roughly $1.7 million shortfall that followed the loss of prior grant streams, and described the gala target as approximately $250,000 toward ongoing operations and programming. Staff said they are seeking grants and foundation support as well as in-kind partnerships and outlined how the office would document program outcomes for philanthropic applications.
Speakers emphasized program metrics and partnerships as the basis for further fundraising: staff said the program obtained training and cohort recognition through a national mayorsassociation cohort and has built relationships with faith-based organizations, housing partners and local nonprofits. Council members recommended packaging the programoutcomes for grant and foundation pitches and suggested targeting both corporate sponsors and smaller public contributions.
The council did not take formal action on the funding request during the work session but accepted the presentation and asked staff to bring supporting materials and a sponsorship packet forward for council review ahead of the gala.
The office also announced a "point-in-time" count coordination role with Fulton County scheduled for Jan. 22 and invited council and volunteers to participate.
