Home
Focus Areas
About Us
Homelessness is on the rise in the US, with a 12% increase reported in 2023, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
One solution: connecting people to job skills training and placement services, among other wraparound services, to empower individuals working toward self-sufficiency.
Since 2007, First Step Staffing has taken an innovative approach to ending homelessness by connecting people to job skills training and placement services, among other wraparound services, to empower individuals working toward self-sufficiency.Headquartered in Atlanta, FSS is one of the largest nonprofit staffing agencies in the country.
The organization uses a personal touch to restore dignity, employ, and support individuals experiencing homelessness and those who have been impacted by the criminal justice system, as well as those who face barriers to employment, such as veterans, refugees, and domestic violence survivors.
"Our goal is to give people a chance to reconnect with jobs and income," says FSS Chief Executive Officer Amelia Nickerson, who has led FSS as the CEO since 2020.
Over the last five years, FSS has grown from a one location nonprofit serving 100 individuals each year to a seven-location nonprofit serving 8,000 per year, with the ability to scale and serve another 50,000 individuals over the next few years.
Nickerson says having more female nonprofit leaders brings diverse perspectives
Selected Grant News Headlines
A customized collection of grant news from foundations and the federal government from around the Web.
Haril Kazindra and wife Andrea are the co-founders of Musana, a community development NGO that runs 19 social enterprises across Uganda.Musana has offices in Denver and London and employs 700 staff,...more
Foundation: Lilly Endowment
All In Kosciusko exists to promote and accelerate the economic and community development already happening across the county.Concerns about economic diversification, talent retention and quality of...more
The Bill Gatton Foundation supports K-12 and higher education, health, and community development in Kentucky, Upper East Tennessee, and Southwest Virginia.Large education grants include $13.5 million...more
Local organizations win $9 million for new affordable housing, social services.Connecticut's Community Investment Fund grants come amid a deluge of cuts to federal funding.The fund was established in...more
Foundation: Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation
Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation has proudly supported Bread & Broth for the past 10 years.In 2024, the Community Foundation was able to introduce the mission of Bread and Broth to a donor who is...more
Foundation: Latino Community Foundation
Latino Community Foundation Awards $3.88M in Grants Across California and Nevada.NewsBreak: Latino Community Foundation awards $3,000,000 in grants across California andNevada.Newsbreak: $1.5 million...more
Alejandro Betancourt Lopez rejects traditional corporate social responsibility models that separate business operations from community impact.Rather than limiting community engagement to corporate...more
Thoughtful giving isn't just about making a donation, it's about creating meaningful impact.Community foundations exist to connect generosity with need, ensuring that charitable giving is both...more
Kareem Thomas most recently served as Chief Credit and Lending Administration Officer at Reinvestment Fund.Bhavani Daryanani has more than 20 years of experience in the sector, bringing deep...more
SECU Foundation has been named a recipient of the 2024 Carolinas Credit Union Foundation Hero Award for Partner in Philanthropy.The SECU Foundation promotes local community development in North...more
Community Building News from...
Wells Fargo Foundation
New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas
Dallas Foundation
Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation
Greater Washington Community Foundation
Rhode Island Foundation
Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
California Community Foundation
Arizona Community Foundation
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
When it Comes to Social Enterprises, Failure is the Best Platform for Innovation
In the world of social enterprises, failure is a cringe-worthy moment nobody wants to talk about. But, social entrepreneurs can benefit from their failures.
