Atlanta Neighborhood Collective Launches to Accelerate Neighborhood Investment and Opportunity Across Atlanta

Mayor's Office of Communications

Atlanta Neighborhood Collective Launches to Accelerate Neighborhood Investment and Opportunity Across Atlanta

New nonprofit will advance Mayor Andre Dickens' Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative; Donovan Lee-Sin named inaugural executive director.

ATLANTA - The City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Committee for Progress today announced the launch of Atlanta Neighborhood Collective, a lasting nonprofit organization founded to advance the work of Mayor Andre Dickens' historic Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative (NRI). The organization will center the voices of residents and dedicate itself to advancing the work of local nonprofit neighborhood partner organizations in support of the Mayor's broad NRI vision.

They also announced the appointment of Donovan Lee-Sin as the Atlanta Neighborhood Collective inaugural Executive Director, marking a significant milestone in a long-term effort to expand opportunity and strengthen economic mobility for families across Atlanta.

Lee-Sin was selected for his proven ability to build trust, align diverse partners, and translate ambitious community visions into measurable action. A local search committee selected Lee-Sin following a comprehensive national search conducted in partnership with BoardWalk Consulting, a national executive search firm specializing in nonprofit leadership recruitment.

"Atlanta's neighborhoods are the foundation of our city's strength," said Mayor Andre Dickens. "When children and families have access to the resources they need to thrive, our entire city moves forward. NRI is helping create that future, and Lee-Sin brings the experience, collaborative spirit, and commitment needed to translate vision into action. I look forward to working alongside him as we continue building Atlanta into the best major city to thrive and raise every child."

Lee-Sin brings more than two decades of leadership experience spanning, community development, civic engagement, philanthropy and public policy. Throughout his career, he has helped organizations navigate complex challenges, build trust across sectors, and improve outcomes for children and families. Most recently, he served as Senior Director of Community Impact for Augusta National Golf Club, where he led the organization's philanthropic and community investment initiatives. Previously, he held roles with The Children's Trust, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

"Where a person lives in Atlanta should not determine their opportunities, yet we know too many families still face barriers based on their neighborhood," said Courtney English, Chief of Staff to Mayor Andre Dickens. "NRI is an opportunity to address those disparities and create pathways for residents to thrive. Lee-Sin is the right leader for this work. He knows how to bring people together around a shared purpose and stay focused on results. This is our chance to meet the moment, and I am confident Lee-Sin will help build on the momentum already underway to create lasting impact."

The Atlanta Neighborhood Collective will facilitate coordinated strategies across seven founding NRI neighborhood areas, implementing a collective strategic plan developed by a coalition of nonprofit, place-based Neighborhood Partner Organizations together with the City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Committee for Progress. Applying best practices in place-based community development, the Atlanta Neighborhood Collective will align investments, partnerships, and community priorities to support long-term neighborhood health. Through shared accountability and resident engagement, NRI seeks to expand economic mobility while building on existing community strengths.

"The promise of NRI lies in what we can collectively accomplish when Atlanta residents, neighborhood leaders, and partners work together around a shared purpose," said Lee-Sin. "I am honored to join this effort and humbled by the opportunity to serve. My commitment is to listen first, build on the strengths and leadership already present in every neighborhood, and help turn shared priorities into coordinated action and measurable outcomes. By earning trust, strengthening partnerships, and remaining accountable to residents, we can create meaningful progress that expands opportunities for Atlantans that endures for generations."

"As the Mayor reminds us, Atlanta is a group project, and NRI is the manifestation of that collective spirit," said Marty Flanagan, ACP NRI Taskforce lead and former CEO, Invesco. "With Lee-Sin at the helm, the Atlanta Neighborhood Collective is well positioned to build the next enduring Atlanta movement. ACP is honored to partner with Mayor Dickens and our local partners to contribute to its lasting success."

"Atlanta has a long history of doing big things well, and strategic partnership is the foundation of those achievements. The Atlanta Neighborhood Collective follows the successful paths trod by other Atlanta collective action initiatives," said Megan Sparks, Senior Advisor to Mayor Dickens. "This organization will ensure residents and their visions for their communities stay at the heart of NRI's cross-sector investments."

Marvin Nesbitt, President of Focused Community Strategies, the NRI Neighborhood Partner Organization (NPO) for the Thomasville Heights and Historic South Atlanta communities, shared his excitement for the Atlanta Neighborhood Collective. "As the leader of Focused Community Strategies, nothing is more important to us than the vision of our neighborhood residents," Nesbitt said. "I'm excited to see the strong history of building community trust and getting big things done that Lee-Sin brings to this work. We look forward to having someone like him in our corner as we seek to ensure every Atlantan has the opportunity to thrive."

The Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative (NRI) is a long-term effort to increase economic mobility and improve outcomes for children and families in Atlanta. Guided by the belief that residents are essential partners in creating lasting change, NRI aligns public, private, philanthropic, and community resources around locally informed priorities and shared measures of success.

Launched through the leadership of the City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Committee for Progress, the Atlanta Neighborhood Collective focuses on creating neighborhood-driven change in the NRI founding neighborhood areas of: Thomasville Heights, English Avenue/Vine City, Grove Park/Bankhead, West Hollowell, East Campbellton, West Campbellton, and Downtown and Mechanicsville. Through coordinated investment and sustained partnership, the initiative seeks to expand opportunity, strengthen community assets, and help more Atlanta families thrive.

Foundational support for the Atlanta Neighborhood Collective includes leadership and support from the Atlanta Committee for Progress, the City of Atlanta, and Purpose Built Communities. Locally the work is being led with the support and partnership of the NRI Neighborhood Partner Organizations (NPOs) - Atlanta Downtown, Focused Community Strategies, Grove Park Foundation, West Hollowell Foundation, and Westside Future Fund. Blue Meridian Partners, in collaboration with Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, is considering an additional investment to help catalyze local and regional stakeholders. This work moves forward alongside a growing coalition of residents, businesses, nonprofits, philanthropic organizations, educational institutions, and civic leaders committed to Atlanta's future.

Lee-Sin holds a Master of Public Administration from Florida International University and a Bachelors from Belhaven University. His first day in this role will be October 12, 2026. Visit atlneighborhoods.org to learn more.

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For more information about the City of Atlanta, please visit www.atlantaga.gov or watch City Channel 26. Follow the City of Atlanta on Facebook and Twitter @CityofAtlanta.