Georgia Resilience & Opportunity Fund

The average Millennial today holds 41% less wealth than someone their age did in 1989. What does that mean? It means rising costs, stagnant wages, and systemic barriers are keeping an entire generation from building financial security—let alone wealth. And the racial wealth divide only grows with age, making it harder to narrow later in life. We need bold policies like #BabyBonds and #GuaranteedIncome to ensure economic mobility, financial security, and freedom of choice aren’t relics of the past—or privileges reserved for a select few. 📄 Sources: https://lnkd.in/eAU_auhC + https://lnkd.in/eN-CUyCz

Ruby Doris Smith-Robinson was more than a strategist—she was a force for transformation. As the first and only woman to serve as executive secretary of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), Ruby helped shape the direction of the Civil Rights Movement with unmatched resolve. She believed in collective liberation, organizing Freedom Rides, sit-ins, and voter registration drives across the South. Though her life was tragically cut short at age 25, her legacy lives on through every act of resistance and every push for justice. #WomensHistoryMonth

GRO’s very own Hope Wollensack, joined an insightful conversation on the next generation of philanthropy alongside Rodney Bullard, The Same House and Che Watkins, Braven for Coffee Conversations with Rose Scott on 90.1 FM WABE, Atlanta’s NPR station! This important discussion, part of a community event series, explored how philanthropy is evolving in the current political climate and the ways Atlanta's non-profits are navigating while continuing to serve impacted communities. Catch the re-air of the episode tonight from 8-9 PM EST on WABE!

From strategizing the Montgomery Bus Boycott to pushing for the national Food Stamp Program and free meals in public schools, Juanita Jones Abernathy was a force in the fight for civil rights and economic justice. She understood that true freedom meant more than just legal rights—it meant economic opportunity, dignity, and access to basic necessities. Her work continues to inspire the fight for equity today. #WomensHistoryMonth

Guaranteed income isn’t just good policy—it’s possibility and freedom of choice. A new study on a guaranteed income program for formerly incarcerated residents, from Equity And Transformation out of Chicago, confirms what we're seeing in our own findings: direct cash works. ✅ Increased financial stability ✅ Improved mental health ✅ Greater ability to plan for the future When we trust people with the resources they need, they build better lives for themselves and their communities. It’s time to invest in dignity and opportunity. https://heyor.ca/VtmkUx

Black women, like Fannie Lou Hamer, have always been at the forefront of economic justice—demanding fair wages, financial security, and opportunities to thrive. #BecauseOfHer, we continue the fight. March is #WomensHistoryMonth, and this month, we honor Black women who have paved the way for economic justice for all women. Because of them, we continue the fight for fair wages, financial security, and the right to thrive—not just survive. Their courage, leadership, and resilience have shaped a future where economic power is within reach for every woman. Join us as we celebrate their legacy and push for the change they envisioned. 💜

The State of the South, an annual report from MDC, has helped shaped the priorities of nonprofits, philanthropies, and elected leaders since its launch in 1996, offering critical insights into the region’s economic conditions and demographic trends. This year we were proud to contribute to this vital report and share our insights on building the foundation for a just economy. (Spoiler: It's income and wealth for all.) 📄 Read more: https://heyor.ca/G13r27 #SOTC #EconomicFreedom #JustEconomy

Hope Wollensack is a visionary leader dedicated to creating bold, community-led solutions that address poverty and narrow the racial wealth divide. As the founding Executive Director of the Georgia Resilience & Opportunity Fund (GRO Fund), she leads efforts to build evidence-based strategies to combat economic insecurity. GRO’s work includes the In Her Hands’ guaranteed income program, a $30M initiative serving over 900 Black women across Georgia, and the first accelerated Baby Bonds pilot program which will provide young people in Georgia with $40,000 to build wealth.  Prior to her current role, Hope served as a senior strategist at the Economic Security Project and played a key role for the Stacey Abrams Campaign in 2018.    With a background as a teacher and assistant principal in New Orleans, Hope has extensive experience organizing young people, educators, and faith communities to create change.  After serving nearly a thousand students, Hope wanted to address the root causes that forced children to live in economically violent conditions and that limited their lives and opportunities. Her career reflects a deep and sustained commitment to advancing racial equity and economic justice.    Join us in celebrating Hope Wollensack and the transformative impact she’s making as the founding Executive Director of the Georgia Resilience & Opportunity Fund. Through her leadership, Hope is reshaping how communities address economic insecurity, building sustainable, community-led solutions to narrow the racial wealth divide. Her work at the GRO Fund is empowering individuals and communities to take charge of their financial futures, ensuring long-lasting change that prioritizes racial equity and economic justice. Hope’s commitment to creating pathways to prosperity is helping to build a more resilient and equitable future for all. #EconomicJustice #RacialEquity #GuaranteedIncome #WealthBuilding #CommunityLedSolutions #FinancialEmpowerment #BabyBonds #EconomicSecurity #Leadership #EquityInAction #SocialImpact #ProsperityForAll

TONIGHT, March 4th, the Purpose Tour—a nationwide series of impactful conversations focused on social justice, youth empowerment, and community leadership—is coming to #Atlanta. GRO's Founding Executive Director, Hope Wollensack will join Trinity Simone and moderator Dr. Dolo Dorsey for Flipping the Game – Black Wealth, Power & the Future of Our Communities, a powerful conversation on building generational #wealth and reshaping economic power. 📅 March 4, 2025 | Doors Open at 6 PM | Panel Starts at 7 PM 📍 The Gathering Spot, 384 Northyards Blvd. NW, Atlanta 🎟️ www.blackjustice.fund

#BlackHistoryMonth may be coming to a close, but our work to expand economic freedom and justice continues. Throughout history, Black communities have fought for economic security—creating mutual aid societies, advocating for land ownership, and building financial institutions to ensure that future generations could thrive. Today, we continue that work through #InHerHands guaranteed income and #FreedomFutures baby bonds initiatives, innovative policies that seek to meaningfully narrow the racial wealth divide and uplift Black families. At GRO Fund, we believe the time for economic justice is now—not just a dream for the future. That’s why we’re committed to addressing the root causes of inequality and investing directly in communities. Because Black history is still in the making, and our policies are part of that story. #BHM #EconomicJustice #GuaranteedIncome #BabyBonds #InHerHands