Atlanta’s nonprofit community came together on Nov. 5 in the Georgia Aquarium Ballroom for the 2026 National Philanthropy Day luncheon. The event highlighted local generosity, honored longtime volunteers, and announced new initiatives that will benefit families and the environment across the metro area.
Philanthropists of the Year recognized
Angie and Sam Allen were named Philanthropists of the Year for their support of educational and health‑care institutions. Angie Allen reflected on her own blessings, noting that “philanthropy must not cause the philanthropist to overlook the circumstances of economic injustice which make philanthropy necessary,” echoing the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sam added that life’s opportunities often depend on the world into which one is born, saying, “I believe I’ve learned more in the last 15 years of my life than the previous 70.”
Lifetime achievement honors Ted Turner’s legacy
The late Ted Turner was posthumously awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for his $1 billion donation that helped launch the United Nations Foundation, his environmental stewardship, and his lifelong pursuit of world peace. His grandson, John R. Seydel, praised Turner as a “real Captain Planet” and urged the nation’s wealthiest individuals to give generously, stating, “Let’s celebrate generosity more than we celebrate wealth.”
Local nonprofit leaders celebrated
Lauren Koontz, CEO of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, received the Philanthropic Leader of the Year award and announced her upcoming role as CEO of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. She dedicated the honor to all of Atlanta’s nonprofit professionals.
Esther and Jim Stokes were honored for decades of environmental advocacy with groups such as Birds Georgia, the Chattahoochee Nature Center, and the Georgia Conservancy. Jim highlighted Georgia’s 22 million acres of working forests, noting that “the days of the environmental community and forestry being at cross purposes is over.” Esther announced the development of the Georgia Birding Trail, aiming for bird‑friendly sites in every county by 2035.
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta earns digital health distinction
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta received Level 9 recognition in both the Acute and Ambulatory categories of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives’ 2026 Digital Health Most Wired Survey, ranking above more than 44,000 peer facilities. Chief Information Officer Jeremy Meller praised the IT team’s work to improve patient safety, cybersecurity, data management and overall care quality. The hospital is also exploring artificial‑intelligence tools to reduce administrative burdens and expand access to pediatric care for its more than 1 million annual patient visits.
Arts and education accolades
Freddie Hendricks, a middle‑school theater teacher at Utopian Academy for the Arts in Ellenwood, won the 2026 Excellence in Theatre Education Award at the 79th Annual Tony Awards. The honor includes a $10,000 grant for his school, tickets to the ceremony and a master class for his students. Hendricks, who founded the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, emphasized the power of storytelling, telling students, “You’re born great. When you find your passion, you’re living in your greatness, and the next step is to be greater.”
Agnes Scott College in Decatur received the 2026 Higher Education Excellence and Distinction Award from Insight Into Academia, marking the sixth consecutive year the liberal‑arts college earned the honor. Vice President of People and Culture Yves‑Rose Porcena highlighted the college’s commitment to academic excellence, belonging and community building.
Westside Stride Block Party invites families to the streets
The fourth annual Westside Stride Block Party will close a portion of Howell Mill Road on Sunday, Nov. 8, turning the corridor into a pedestrian‑ and bike‑only zone from noon to 6 p.m. More than 90 vendors and artists will offer vintage clothing, plants, handmade crafts, a petting zoo, bounce houses, cornhole games and a fall‑themed tiny‑house photo studio. Live music will feature the Nathalie Rose Band and Band X on the QTS Main Stage at Northside Tavern. New sidewalks and protected bike lanes along 10th and 17th Streets, plus a connection to the Tech Parkway cycle track, will make the event easily accessible.
Shakespeare at Sunset returns to Avondale Estates
Free outdoor theater will once again grace the Avondale Estates Town Green this fall as Georgia Classic Theatre presents the Shakespeare at Sunset Fall Series, offering three Saturday performances of classic works for the community.
These celebrations underscore Atlanta’s vibrant nonprofit sector, its commitment to innovation in health care, and the city’s dedication to creating family‑friendly public spaces.
Original reporting: SaportaReport — read the source article.
