GGA's Statewide Call: Funding Information to Influence Policy & Budget Wins
Join us for our final webinar in our three-part series designed to provide funders with practical on-ramps into policy engagement. This conversation will focus on how community-based initiatives can generate the data that fuels statewide policy and budget wins.
In our first two sessions, we explored how funders can leverage their influence with federal, state and local policymakers and how nonprofit advocacy groups worked with legislators during the 2025 Georgia Assembly. In this webinar, we’ll explore how using data from pilot projects can play a critical role in building the foundation for long-term policy change.
Event Details:
Format: Virtual
Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Featured Speakers:
Mindy Binderman, GEEARS — will share the origin story of the Georgia Infant-Toddler Coalition and how a pilot project laid the groundwork for future advocacy.
Raynell Washington, GA-AIMH — will discuss how the Coalition's efforts led to measurable wins, including the formation of GA-AIMH and new funding through state budget allocations.
Brittany Collins, Executive Director, Betty and Davis Fitzgerald Foundation
Join us for lessons learned that can be implemented in your grantmaking and in your communities. Register now to attend the live webinar on 7/29 or to receive the recording & resources.
About our Speakers:
Mindy Binderman,
Executive Director, GEEARS (Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students)
Mindy Binderman leads GEEARS’ mission to advance early learning and healthy development for Georgia’s youngest children. As Executive Director, she serves as the organization’s lead advocate, fundraiser, and spokesperson. Under her leadership, GEEARS has helped preserve and strengthen Georgia’s Pre-K program, expanded access to high-quality, affordable child care, elevated the importance of early childhood mental health, and supported the creation of Georgia’s first paid parental leave law. She has also led major initiatives including PAACT: Promise All Atlanta Children Thrive, the Mayor’s Summer Reading Club, and the P3 Leaders’ Fellowship.
With a background in public affairs and government relations, Mindy has held leadership roles at Voices for Georgia’s Children, the Baltimore Jewish Council, and Planned Parenthood of Maryland, and previously ran a successful lobbying firm. She serves on multiple boards and advisory councils focused on education, equity, and community impact, and has been recognized with numerous awards for her advocacy and leadership.
Raynell Kimberly Washington,
Director, Georgia Association for Infant Mental Health
Raynell Washington is Assistant Director at the Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University’s School of Public Health and Director of the Georgia Association for Infant Mental Health: Birth to Five (GA-AIMH). In these roles, she leads initiatives that promote early relational health and advance culturally responsive, relationship-based practices across Georgia’s early childhood systems. Her work includes professional development for the child-serving workforce, cross-system collaboration, and advocacy to support the well-being of infants, young children, and their families.
Raynell holds a Master of Social Work from Tulane University and is a Licensed Master Social Worker with Infant Mental Health Endorsement® as an Infant Family Specialist. She is an alum of the Georgia LEND program and the AUCD Leadership Academy. Her expertise spans early childhood, trauma-informed care, and disability advocacy, with a deep commitment to equity and improving outcomes for underserved communities.
Brittany Collins,
Executive Director, Betty and Davis Fitzgerald Foundation
Brittany Collins is a trusted social impact strategist with more than a decade of experience in urban education, community development, and philanthropy. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Betty and Davis Fitzgerald Foundation in Atlanta, where she advances initiatives that promote equity and opportunity for children and families.
Previously, Brittany was the Founding Director of PAACT: Promising All Atlanta Children Thrive, a citywide alliance focused on improving early childhood outcomes. Under her leadership, PAACT launched a $2 million pandemic relief fund for child care and partnered with the City of Atlanta to develop a historic $20 million early childhood investment strategy. She has also served as Managing Director of Program for OneGoal Metro Atlanta and as a Community Development Advisor at Purpose Built Communities, where she supported more than 18 cities in implementing holistic neighborhood revitalization strategies with a strong focus on early learning.
Throughout her career, Brittany has helped forge cross-sector partnerships and led efforts to scale high-impact, community-driven solutions to improve life outcomes for children and families.
