Westside Future Fund celebrates 10th anniversary with commemorative event

Atlanta nonprofit Westside Future Fund (WFF) recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary of community-centered restoration efforts throughout the city’s historic Westside neighborhoods.

The organization honored its milestone with “Westside Proud,” a commemorative event that brought together over 300 attendees and raised more than $700,000 in sponsorship funding to support WFF’s work.

Founded in 2015, WFF says that it has utilized a “restoration, not displacement” approach to revitalizing the five neighborhoods located in Atlanta’s Westside: English Avenue, Vine City, Ashview Heights, Atlanta University Center and Just Us.

The organization’s work has centered around housing affordability, health and wellness, education and safety (all of which are guided by the Westside Land Use Framework Plan, a design and implementation strategy that was shaped by over 1,000 residents and adopted by Atlanta City Council in 2017).

“The story of Westside Future Fund is the story of Atlanta coming together with a shared commitment to equity and restoration,” said T. Dallas Smith, WFF board chair and Westside native. “This community raised me, and we’re here to restore its story, building on what was always good here.”

Over the past decade, WFF has reported significant progress in the area, including a 50% reduction in blight, over $130 million invested in real estate, 215 affordable rental units built and more than $1.8 million in down payment assistance distributed to first-time and legacy-connected buyers.

Additionally, the nonprofit established an Anti-Displacement Tax Fund that has covered more than $613,000 in property taxes for longtime residents, helping them to remain in their homes.

“Westside Proud reflects the spirit of restoration,” said John Ahmann, president and chief executive officer of Westside Future Fund. “It’s a declaration of belonging — for those who’ve stayed, returned, or just arrived. It’s the pride in legacy and the future we’re building together.”

Looking ahead, WFF is in the midst of its $55 million “Our Next Chapter” capital campaign, which aims to add 285 multifamily units (with the majority reserved for households earning 60% AMI or less) and 225 single-family homes, along with expanding upon its Anti-Displacement Tax Fund.

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