Our Foundation

Our Beginning

Welcome to Friends For Life Foundation, Incorporated (FFL), established in 2004 by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated®, Phi Phi Omega Chapter. FFL is a 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to support quality of life improvement for those that are disadvantaged and to assist individuals and organizations in our community that enhance education, family, health, economic empowerment, and the arts. This is done through community service and outreach programs; scholarships and grants; as well as our signature fundraising campaigns. We are an all volunteer organization primarily serving North Fulton County of Georgia and the Metropolitan-Atlanta GA communities.

Twenty years later, the Foundation has grown to over two hundred members with a commonality of "Building a Better Community. "The Friends For Life Foundation Board of Directors is comprised of professional women with broad and diverse backgrounds in varying fields of business, industry, education, and human services. Together, their collective strength yields the knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively lead the Foundation in achieving its mission: To support quality of life improvements for the disadvantaged by assisting individuals and organizations in our community to enhance education, the family, health, economic empowerment, and the arts.

Our Signature Program

R.I.S.E. - Reaching and Impacting Scholars for Excellence

Friends For Life Foundation, Inc. serves the community in multiple ways. Via our partnering organization, our members provide uplift brochures and information, workshops, and activities to the communities we support. Additionally, we offer a signature reading program, R.I.S.E. (Reaching and Impacting Students for Excellence) for students of all ages. This is envisioned via four separate and complimentary modules:

Today I Read, Tomorrow I Lead which encourages and motivates elementary aged students to read and improve their reading competency. It encompasses students, K-5.
The World and Me focuses on cultural development by providing access to enriching experiences like exhibits, museums, musicals, theatre, as well as etiquette and self-presentation skills.
Lead with Style which focuses on leadership development and job readiness skills, specifically those required to be competitive in the STEAM field.
Think Big which will assist disadvantaged students prepare for post–secondary education via workshops and mentorships, encompassing multi-year follow up.

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Our Community Partners

Grant Awards and Donations to Community Organizations

FFL also award grants and donations. O Additional scholarships and awards are offered by the foundation and through generous endowments established by foundation members. Our renowned annual “Heart of Giving” event is the opportunity for FFL to award an individual or organization for their service and support to the community. And over the past twenty years more than $500,000 has been awarded in community grants to 35 deserving organizations, including UNCF and local libraries (please view our Heart of Giving page for additional organizations).

Our Collaborative Partnerships

In 2024, we were thrilled to announce our partnership with Phi Phi Omega as we work together on impactful community initiatives. We proudly donated $1,000 worth of new shoes for the Roswell Day of Hope. We also donated $4,000 to the CHIPP Program, which provides essential backpacks to children at Ison Springs Elementary School, ensuring they have meals over the weekends. In celebration of Juneteenth, we also awarded $1,000 in scholarships to students at the Atlanta Drum Academy through the RISE arts program. Giving back is at the heart of our mission, and we take great in the positive difference we make in our community.

Our Fundraisers

Our organization proudly presents two key fundraising initiatives. The first is the Biennial Strands of Elegance Leadership Development and Cotillion, which offers scholarships and promotes community service among youth participants. This event not only serves as a platform for developing a commitment to volunteering but also highlights outstanding high school senior girls from North Fulton. These young ladies have shown a strong determination to succeed in life. Over the past twelve events, 225 young women have participated in this enriching experience that includes leadership development, cultural events, and community service projects. Since its inception in 2001–2002, more than $500,000 in scholarships have been distributed through our signature program. The Strands of Elegance Leadership Development and Cotillion Program is open to junior and senior high school girls in North Fulton and Metro-Atlanta areas.

In 2022, FFL started a new fundraising event, Friends on the Green Golf Charity Event, which allows the Foundation to partner with corporate and community supporters who share in our commitment to making our community a better place for all. All proceeds from this event go back to the community through our granst and donations given at our annual Heart of Giving.