Frank Fernandez, President & CEO, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta

In an interview with Focus:, Frank Fernandez, president and CEO of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, said that adapting to shifting federal policies and deepening local partnerships are central to advancing equitable community development. “As a foundation, we’ve been working hard to respond intentionally, not reactively, by supporting nonprofits and, most importantly, the communities most affected by these changes,” Fernandez said.

How has the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta been shaped by the most significant changes over the past year?

As you know, community foundations serve a unique role in bringing together a wide variety of donors — individuals, families, private foundations, corporate funders, and others. At a high level, we work with around 1,300 donors and manage approximately $1.6 billion in philanthropic assets. Last year alone, we distributed more than 13,000 grants totaling over $200 million, primarily in metro Atlanta, though some extended across the state and even the country.

Our focus is on making metro Atlanta a better place for everyone. That’s the core of our mission.

As for recent changes, the past year has been pivotal for the philanthropic sector, particularly in responding to shifts in federal policy and funding. With a new administration in place, we’re seeing significant rollbacks in federal funding that previously supported vulnerable communities. Regardless of political perspective, those decisions are having real consequences. As a foundation, we’ve been working hard to respond intentionally, not reactively, by supporting nonprofits and, most importantly, the communities most affected by these changes.

We see ourselves as a central hub for philanthropy in metro Atlanta, and that role has been especially critical lately. We’ve convened institutional funders to explore both individual and collective strategies to respond to this evolving landscape. I’m happy to go deeper into those efforts if helpful, but that’s been the major focus within our organization and across the philanthropic space.

What trends or challenges have you observed as having the most significant impact, and in which sectors?

It’s still evolving and much hinges on the passage of a new federal budget. However, based on legislation passed earlier this year, we’re already seeing clear intersections between the issue areas and populations most affected.

From what we know of the executive orders and policy changes in motion, we anticipate a growing number of people facing housing instability, food insecurity, and reduced access to primary healthcare beyond the emergency room. These outcomes are largely driven by cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and similar programs. So those three areas — housing, food security, and healthcare — are likely to bear the brunt of the impact.

As for the communities most affected, it’s primarily immigrant and refugee populations, especially within Latino communities. More broadly, low-income families and children from households already living in or near poverty are going to feel the effects most acutely. Our challenge and our mission is to respond to these evolving needs now and prepare for their continued growth over the next six to 18 months as the new policies take full effect.

How are broader macroeconomic trends such as inflation or workforce shortages affecting the communities you serve and the nonprofits you support?

Inflation, while lower than during the height of the COVID era, still hasn’t returned to the levels most would consider ideal. Decisions related to tariffs and other trade policies are keeping inflation higher than desired and potentially pushing it even higher.

Here in Georgia, the economy has generally outperformed the national average. That said, we’re seeing fewer jobs being created and persistent inflationary pressure. So even though metro Atlanta is growing, there’s a noticeable slowdown in economic activity. That creates real strain on both nonprofits and the communities they serve.

Can you share more about targeting housing affordability and economic mobility efforts and their anticipated impact? 

I’ll highlight three initiatives — two that have been in place for some time, and one that emerged in response to this year’s developments.

First, our work around housing is perhaps our most comprehensive and deeply developed initiative. Housing is foundational to quality of life — not just as shelter, but as a determinant of access to jobs, schools, public safety, and health outcomes. A lack of affordable housing is a national issue, but it’s especially acute in fast-growing cities like Atlanta and Miami. Rising costs and limited supply are straining families.

To address this, we committed $200 million over several years to support affordable housing — both production and preservation. While a small portion goes toward policy and programming, over 90% is dedicated to direct investment. We use philanthropic capital alongside impact investment — concessionary loans with favorable terms — to help finance housing projects.

Our goal is to catalyze the development or preservation of at least 5,000 units of affordable housing. So far, we’ve committed $130 million, which is projected to result in over 4,500 units. We’re on track to exceed our goal in the next year or two.

This effort is in deep partnership with the city of Atlanta, particularly the Mayor’s Office, as well as with financial institutions, foundations, and corporate partners. Though centered in Atlanta, we’re expanding to outlying counties too, recognizing that housing affordability is no longer just an urban issue — it’s increasingly suburban as well.

What changes does the tax reform bill bring to charitable giving, and how might it affect the foundation and nonprofit sector?

The bill includes some incentives that could increase charitable giving. We’re already seeing signs of that, with many of our donors accelerating their giving in Q4 to take advantage of the new tax benefits. In the short term, we anticipate a bump in contributions.

There were several provisions initially included in the bill that could have had broader implications for the philanthropic sector, but most of those were ultimately removed. The most notable remaining change is the introduction of a 1% minimum tax on corporations. The long-term impact of that remains to be seen.

How is the foundation adapting to shifts in the evolution of donor-advised funds and the rise of impact investing to better serve both donors and communities?

The donor-advised fund (DAF) landscape has changed significantly with the rise of commercial DAF providers like Schwab and Fidelity. Over the past 10 to 15 years, this has disrupted our market and forced us to clearly define our value proposition.

Unlike large financial institutions, we offer highly personalized service. When you open a DAF with us, you’re assigned a dedicated advisor who understands your goals, preferences, and giving history. It’s a level of relationship management that the big firms simply don’t provide.

Secondly, we’re deeply embedded in our local community. We know the issues, the players, and where the greatest needs are. National firms can’t offer that kind of localized knowledge or connect donors to impactful initiatives the way we can.

One example is our impact investing platform. About eight years ago, we began offering donors the opportunity to invest from their DAFs into funds that support causes like affordable housing. These are essentially “recyclable grants.” We make loans to support projects, then recoup and reinvest the capital. It’s a powerful way to stretch philanthropic dollars and drive sustainable impact.

What do you see as the foundation’s top priorities over the next three to five years, and how will you define success?

Our core priority is to rise to the moment and collaborate with others to address the most intractable challenges our communities face, especially those affecting the most vulnerable populations.

In response to recent federal shifts, we’re launching two new initiatives: a Nonprofit Sector Sustainability Fund and a Policy and Advocacy Fund. These are distinct but complementary.

The Sustainability Fund is about strengthening nonprofits, providing technical assistance, funding, and guidance to help them become more resilient and sustainable. We know that in the next few years, some organizations simply won’t survive without support.

The Policy and Advocacy Fund is aimed at pushing for policy changes, especially at the state and local levels, to mitigate the harm of federal cuts. Our goal is to amplify voices and drive action that protects those most affected.

Ultimately, success for us means fostering a stronger, more resilient nonprofit sector, deepening our partnerships, and ensuring that vulnerable communities not only weather these changes but thrive in spite of them.