The Georgia Reslilience and Opportunity (GRO) Fund

Year Founded: 2021

The GRO Fund believes that investing in Black rural, urban, and suburban communities through innovative financial programs like Guaranteed Income and Baby Bonds can disrupt cycles of poverty and build generational wealth. By improving participants’ financial stability, generating evidence to inform policy, and reshaping narratives around poverty, they aim to drive systemic economic change nationwide.

The GRO Fund’s innovative programs, such as the south’s largest Guaranteed Income initiative, “In Her Hands,” and their accelerated Baby Bonds program, “Freedom Futures,” set them apart in addressing systemic inequities. Their commitment to evidence-based approaches and community-driven solutions aligns with New Profit’s Economic Mobility strategy and focus on transformative impact models driving financial health and wealth creation. 

Founded in 2021, The GRO Fund operates in Black rural, urban, and suburban communities across Georgia, with plans to expand their programs’ reach and impact.

Founder and Executive Director Hope Wollensack brings a clear and compelling vision for systemic change, informed by her experiences as an educator and community organizer. Her leadership prioritizes innovative approaches to economic empowerment and rigorous evaluation to ensure effectiveness.

Impact Highlights:

• “In Her Hands” participants are 20% less likely to skip housing payments, 20% more likely to cover a $400 emergency, and 15% less likely to overdraft.
• “Freedom Futures,” the accelerated Baby Bonds program launching in 2025, will generate learnings within four years, significantly faster than traditional models. The pilot will provide participants with a Baby Bond of up to $40,000, a $500/month guaranteed income, and support services like financial advising to those eligible.
• Early evaluations of In Her Hands demonstrate increased housing security, fewer evictions, and greater financial stability among participants.