A Message from Our Board Chair

Dear Friends and Partners,

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am writing to share that Brittany Collins will conclude her tenure as Executive Director of the Betty and Davis Fitzgerald Foundation at the end of November as she prepares for a new professional opportunity.

Brittany’s leadership has been instrumental in the Foundation’s evolution. She brought strategic clarity, sound judgment, and a willingness to challenge conventional approaches to philanthropy, helping our Board think more expansively about how we use our resources, relationships, and influence to advance our mission.

During her tenure, Brittany strengthened the Foundation’s governance and helped foster a more engaged and strategic Board. She understood the importance of honoring Betty and Davis’s philanthropic vision while ensuring the Foundation remained responsive to the communities we serve. Her leadership deepened trustee engagement and created greater opportunities for community perspectives to inform our decisions.

Brittany also expanded the Foundation’s relationships locally, regionally, and nationally, building connections across philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and other sectors. These relationships created opportunities for collaboration, strengthened the Foundation’s voice in broader conversations, and positioned us to contribute to efforts beyond our individual grantmaking.

Brittany cultivated a culture of curiosity, learning, and thoughtful stewardship. She encouraged our Board to ask difficult questions, explore new approaches, and navigate complex decisions with conviction and care. Her leadership strengthened the Foundation’s ability to adapt while remaining grounded in its mission and values.

We are deeply grateful for Brittany’s leadership, her partnership with our trustees, and her commitment to the children, families, and communities at the heart of our work.

Looking Ahead

The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Qaadirah Abdur-Rahim will serve as Interim Executive Director.

As a former community trustee on the Foundation’s board, Qaadirah has developed a deep understanding of the Foundation’s mission, strategic priorities, and commitment to community-informed philanthropy. We are confident in her ability to provide continuity and work collaboratively with our staff, trustees, and nonprofit partners during this transition.

The Board is also undertaking a search with BoardWalk Consulting for the Foundation’s next permanent Executive Director. Throughout this process, our strategic priorities and grantmaking commitments remain unchanged.

We look forward to this next chapter with confidence in Qaadirah’s leadership and a continued commitment to the Foundation’s mission.

Below, Brittany shares her personal reflections on her time with the Foundation.

With appreciation,

Lindsay Stradley
Chair, Board of Trustees
Betty and Davis Fitzgerald Foundation

A Personal Reflection from Brittany Collins

Dear Friends and Partners,

Leading the Betty and Davis Fitzgerald Foundation has been one of the great privileges of my career. As I prepare to conclude my tenure as Executive Director, I am filled with gratitude for the people, partnerships, and shared commitment that have shaped this chapter.

My time at the Foundation has deepened my belief that philanthropy has both an opportunity and a responsibility to advance equity and justice. Doing so requires courage to challenge established practices, curiosity to question our assumptions, humility to listen and learn, and the conviction to turn those insights into action. Our greatest potential lies not only in the resources we provide, but in how we bring people together, use our influence, and work alongside communities to expand what is possible.

Together with our trustees and partners, we strengthened our focus on ensuring children and families have access to the educational opportunities and mental health support they need to thrive. We recognized that achieving this requires looking beyond individual programs to the policies, systems, and conditions that shape people’s lives. This meant investing in direct services while also supporting coalitions, policy, and advocacy efforts that address broader barriers. Meeting immediate needs is essential, but we must be equally committed to changing the systems and conditions that perpetuate them.

During a period of profound change and uncertainty, we expanded flexible funding through general operating and capacity-building support, recognizing that nonprofit leaders need the trust and resources to strengthen their organizations, navigate challenges, and respond to the evolving needs of their communities.

We also explored new ways to put the Foundation’s resources to work beyond traditional grantmaking. From participating in a bridge loan supporting Head Start providers to contributing to pooled funds that extend our collective reach, these efforts reinforced the importance of collaboration and using philanthropic capital creatively to advance shared goals.

I am deeply grateful to my Board Chair, Lindsay Stradley, our trustees, nonprofit partners, and colleagues for their trust, partnership, and willingness to think boldly about what is possible. Whatever progress we have made belongs to the many people who contributed their expertise, perspectives, and commitment along the way.

As I prepare for my next professional chapter, I do so with tremendous appreciation for this community and confidence in the Foundation’s future. My commitment to Atlanta and my belief in the power of place remain as strong as ever. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this work. It has been an honor!

With gratitude,

Brittany Collins

Download a PDF of this letter