Hands on Atlanta

Almost 30 years ago, a busy Elise Eplan, was a newly minted investment banker, having trouble finding time to volunteer at service organizations. Her and her friends’ work schedules clashed with nonprofits’ 9-5 weekday programs. So, she and 11 acquaintances came up with a more organized and flexible business model for volunteering. The 12 volunteered as a group. If an agency needed a weekly volunteer, rather than one person having to make a weekly commitment, the group worked together to fill that slot. That gave them flexibility. They also offered to work weekends, promising agencies they could supply a number of people. The idea, which began with an informal meeting back in 1989 has become a one-stop shop to bring together Atlanta volunteers and nonprofits. After determining their system worked, they invited friends to join them. Their numbers went from 12 to about 60. They began to get a few small grants to help with postage, phones and other costs. With success came new problems. They were growing beyond what they could manage out of Eplan’s apartment and began looking for someone to run the organization. Michelle Nunn was weighing going to law school and a Peace Corps assignment, but when offered the opportunity to lead Hands On Atlanta, she didn't think twice, and the rest is history. It was Michelle's vision, tenacity, and spirit that helped grow the organization from 12 friends to another with international impact and tens of thousands of volunteers.

• Naomi GreenPresident and Chief Executive Officer
• Robert BallingerVice President, Finance & Operations
• Chanika R. Perry, Ed.DVice President, Impact Programs
• Nicki BrownVice President, Philanthropy & Engagement
• Ariel Brassil, MBAAssociate Director of Corporate Impact
• Emma KoenigCorporate Partnerships Senior Manager
• Brittany WrightIndividual Giving & Grants & Manager
• Kahiah Polidore, MFAMarketing Manager

• AmericorpsAs a Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps member, you will be given the opportunity to serve in elementary, middle, and high schools and other local nonprofits, helping students improve their academic…
• HANDS ON HUNGERIn partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Hands On Atlanta has lead 6 cohorts of pantries through this intensive capacity-building program. Empowering pantry staff with resources to do…
• Civic Leadership ProgramThe Civic Leadership Program trains volunteers while supporting the needs of nonprofit agencies. Participants begin as fellows and become civic leaders through ongoing leadership training and…
• DiscoveryOur Discovery program provides structured enrichment activities to K-5 youth, teaching STEAM, Social Emotional Learning, and health & fitness concepts. Discovery operates 2 Saturdays a month during…
• Hands On Atlanta WeekCelebrate Atlanta’s largest week of service!
• MLK Days of ServiceHonoring the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

• Work here?How Hands on Atlanta’s team gets in
• AddNews from Hands on Atlanta, first on your Home.Add
• DonateOnce or monthly.Donate

Based in

Marietta Street Artery

Founded

1989

EIN

58-1861026

Staff

8

Website

handsonatlanta.org