About the Evelyn Stokes Foundation
The Evelyn Stokes Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization and NGO dedicated to developing the next generation of public policy leaders by empowering young people to become informed advocates for positive change. We believe that meaningful and lasting improvements in our communities begin with education, leadership, and civic engagement. Our mission is to equip youth with the knowledge and practical skills needed to research community challenges, analyze public issues, and develop thoughtful written policy solutions that improve the lives of marginalized individuals and underserved communities.
At the Evelyn Stokes Foundation, we envision a future where talented young leaders from every neighborhood have the opportunity to help shape policies that promote equity, expand opportunity, and strengthen communities. By investing in the leadership potential of South DeKalb's youth today, we are helping build a future in which marginalized communities have informed, compassionate, and capable advocates working to improve the quality of life for all.
Wherever you are in life's journey, the Evelyn Stokes Foundation, Inc. is committed to empowering you, your family, and your community through education, leadership, and opportunity.
Through the Evelyn Stokes Global Fellowship, we work with ten (10) highly motivated students and young adults, ages 13 to 23, who live in South DeKalb ZIP codes 30034, 30038, and 30058. Fellows participate in a year-long leadership and public policy development program where they learn how governments, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders shape public policy. They gain hands-on experience researching issues, evaluating existing laws and programs, and drafting policy recommendations designed to address real-world challenges facing their communities.
Our curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, ethical leadership, collaboration, effective communication, and community service. Participants work alongside experienced mentors, civic leaders, educators, and subject matter experts while building the confidence to become thoughtful problem-solvers and engaged citizens. By encouraging young people to understand both local and global issues, the Foundation prepares them to become leaders who can influence positive change wherever their careers and service may lead.
For more information and an application to become a GLOBAL VOICES Fellow, please click here.
The Evelyn Stokes Foundation, Inc.
Based in Metro Atlanta, The Evelyn Stokes Foundation, Inc. is dedicated to equipping gifted, motivated youth with the essential skills to design effective programs, policies, and procedures for marginalized communities. Through robust collaborations with local and international organizations, we emphasize hands-on community service and policy engagement. Our ultimate goal is to empower these young leaders to drive systemic, meaningful change, growing into adults who are lifelong champions for the disenfranchised.
Annually, our foundation accepts 10 highly motivated students between the ages of 13 and 23 from South DeKalb zip codes 30034, 30038, and 30058. These selected participants have already demonstrated a passion for community empowerment. By meeting regularly to analyze, debate, and develop actionable policies, these young advocates work directly on solutions that will positively and permanently impact the communities they call home.
Beyond our flagship youth policy initiatives, The Evelyn Stokes Foundation is expanding its scope to serve the broader household. We are actively developing comprehensive community programs designed to support marginalized families, women, and seniors, ensuring that every individual has the resources, stability, and advocacy needed to live the best life possible within their means.
Central to this effort is our upcoming initiative, "Life for The Financially Challenged." This program focuses on practical financial literacy, resource navigation, and economic self-sufficiency—empowering community members to overcome systemic barriers, stretch household budgets, and build sustainable futures despite changing economic landscapes.
Join us as a mentor at The Evelyn Stokes Foundation, Inc. and play a pivotal role in shaping future leaders who will drive positive change in marginalized and underserved communities. We are looking for dedicated people who believe in not only themselves but the ability of their communities to prosper and grow. Your involvement will not only influence their personal growth of our participants but also extend their impact on improving the lives of others. Become a mentor today and help us cultivate a brighter future together!
Why Your Support Matters
The Evelyn Stokes Foundation was established with a simple but ambitious vision: to invest in the people who call our community home. Our work is intentionally focused on the South DeKalb communities within ZIP codes 30034, 30038, and 30058, where we believe meaningful change begins at the neighborhood level. Through leadership development, public policy education, economic empowerment, and community engagement, we are preparing young people and strengthening families to create lasting solutions for marginalized communities. While we are building relationships with organizations around the world to exchange ideas and broaden perspectives, each organization will be responsible for funding its own participation. Our primary commitment—and our greatest investment—will always remain the communities we serve here at home.
We believe that the strongest nonprofit organizations are sustained by the people who believe in their mission. Rather than becoming dependent on grants alone, we are committed to building a broad base of support from individuals, families, businesses, and community partners who share our vision of opportunity, leadership, and empowerment. Every contribution, regardless of size, is treated with care and invested wisely. We operate with a modest budget, maximize volunteer involvement, and carefully steward every dollar entrusted to us. When you support the Evelyn Stokes Foundation, you are not simply making a donation—you are investing in local youth, stronger families, and a future where our own community helps create the solutions that will improve lives for generations to come.
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