• I've been very proud and impressed with the nimbleness with which GGA has done its work in the past year or so. GGA can be flexible and move into issue areas that are urgent and relevant at that moment. I think sometimes that's hard in philanthropy. • I appreciate the speed and flexibility of the organization. They were able to pull together some experts, kept us informed, and presented opportunities for how our foundations could support nonprofits during the COVID crisis.
Thought Leadership – 7
• I think having an executive director, in particular Lydia, who challenges GGA to think differently and engage in a process like this one and to put at the forefront priorities like the non-profits perspective, racial equity, and equity in general. • What I found valuable is that Lydia is a good intermediary between voices outside of philanthropy and voices inside philanthropy. She helped us learn how to communicate with each other, understand each other's incentives, understand each other barriers and then find a way for us to meet and talk mutually. • I would probably say GGA has been smart about attracting talent like Lydia to shepherd this effort. I think it couldn't have come at a more critical time. It would have been great anyway, but it certainly, GGA was so needed in the last 18 to 24 months. State-Wide Approach – 12 • I would say to you, GGA is singularly the only organization focused on philanthropy across the state. You have the Southeastern Council of Foundations, but they are focused on the Southeast. They're not necessarily just Georgia focus. • Often within Georgia, it's just Atlanta versus everybody else or even some more significant cities like Savannah, Columbus, and Athens, so I appreciate GGA paying attention to all voices. • I'm proud that GGA has been intentional about including people outside of the Metro Atlanta area. I think the organization is a lot richer and healthier because of that. To have the ability for someone from Thomasville or Columbus or Macon or Athens or Gwinnett County or Dalton to be at the table, all of those folks are engaged as well.
Lydia’s Leadership – 12
• Lydia was astute in defining GGAs role in strengthening the sector, and Lydia leaned into other organizations for stronger collaboration. • With Lydia at the helm, GGA was very effective in 2020. • I just think Lydia is exceptional. She has given us a consistent and significant opportunity. I consider her both a thought partner professionally and just somebody who's very open to hearing frustrations in real-time.
Trust Builder – 6 •
I'm based here in Atlanta, but I've had a unique opportunity to see how other states do things. I haven't seen other states convene folks the way that GGA does. There are always key issues, and topics and GGA is very consistent. When I've tried to connect in
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