Letter from the Executive Director

In 2025, Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta’s role has proved more vital than ever. Throughout a year of rapid change for nonprofits across Georgia, PBPA volunteers, staff, and donors have risen to meet the moment. Together, we are helping organizations safeguard their missions, navigate funding cuts, and stay focused on serving their communities. 

Nearly 1,000 attorneys have partnered with PBPA this year, contributing thousands of hours of high-quality legal support that nonprofits can rarely access anywhere else. That support is felt directly by nonprofit leaders who rely on PBPA.

“This experience is like no other. The services and team are always great, educated, and skilled. We are grateful for [PBPA] because, as a nonprofit, I honestly don’t know how we could have handled the issues that presented themselves without you. Thank you all for your faithfulness, commitment, and dedication to keep nonprofits in compliance and abreast of federal and state regulations/updates.”

As we conclude our 20th anniversary year, one thing remains clear: PBPA’s model works. Leveraging the work of dedicated volunteers with support from PBPA staff, every dollar donated becomes over eight dollars in legal services for nonprofits. Multiplying generosity into impactful results means that organizations across the state can serve more individuals in need. 

If you are planning year-end giving, we invite you to include PBPA in your support. Your contribution helps ensure that nonprofits can continue to turn to PBPA with confidence in 2026 and beyond.

Thank you for being part of this community.

Happy Holidays,

Rachel Spears
Executive Director

Don't miss the chance to double your impact! A few generous board members and their families will match every donation from new or renewing Happy Perkins Society members (annual donors of $1,000+) up to $25,000.

Charitable Giving Under the New Tax Law

On November 17, PBPA offered a free CLE webinar exclusively for donors on “Strategies for Charitable Giving Under the New Tax Law.” 

This well-received webinar was presented by Nick Djuric and covered how the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act” reshapes the charitable income tax deduction—and what actions donors might take as a result.

While CLE credit is no longer available, you can take advantage of the webinar at the link below.

Please consider becoming a PBPA donor today! 

Shoutouts to our Volunteers

Thank you to the more than 980 volunteers who have signed up for a pro bono project in 2025! We could not do this work without you. Click here for a list of individuals who have volunteered so far this year.

From: Child Advocate Network
To: Tessa Deardorff (Eversheds Sutherland) and Matt McGrath (Southern Company)
I wanted to express our heartfelt gratitude for providing the [board] training on Wednesday. It was refreshing and inspiring as well as confirming and informative. The Board truly appreciates you taking the time, after hours, to educate us on board policies and standards. The assessment was a great checkup of our current practices and helped us to see where we need to adjust. 

From: People Living in Recovery
To: Amanda K. Holcomb (Nelson Mullins)
I want to take a minute or two of your time to say thank you for not only your help in this matter, but also for your service work with Georgia’s nonprofits. We sometimes struggle to navigate this journey and your work in collaboration with PBPA makes it a lot easier and less intimidating! Thank you again!

From: Community Friendship
To: Jason Lichtstein (Akerman)
On behalf of Community Friendship Housing Services, I want to extend my sincere gratitude for your extraordinarily support bringing our property closing across the finish line! After months of waiting, everything seemed to move at once--and you rose to the challenge. Your expertise, attention to detail, and willingness to step in made all of the difference. We are especially grateful for the time and energy you invested to ensure this was handled with care and precision. This closing represents an important milestone for CFI and we could not have achieved it without your last minute support. Please know that your pro bono support is not only appreciated by me and our board, but will ultimately benefit the individuals we serve.

Cornerstone Donors: Powering PBPA’s Mission

At PBPA, we work to give nonprofits the legal resources they need to thrive—and that’s only possible because of generous partners. Our Cornerstone donors—Alston & Bird, Eversheds Sutherland, Georgia Power, King & Spalding, and The UPS Foundation—lead the way with annual contributions of $50,000 or more. Their commitment fuels our ability to serve Georgia’s nonprofits, fund our dedicated staff, and empower volunteer attorneys who make a difference every day.

When you give, you join a community that strengthens Georgia’s nonprofit sector and amplifies impact across the state. Together, we make this work possible.

Thank you to our Cornerstone donors for championing PBPA’s mission—and thank you to every supporter who helps us build a stronger, more vibrant Georgia.

Client Spotlight: Mostly Mutts

Mostly Mutts is committed to saving lives by reducing the number of animals euthanized in county shelters and ensuring rescues find loving, permanent homes. One such success story is Dolphy, a former Mostly Mutts resident who has found his forever home with Staff Attorney Justine Cowan (pictured above with Executive Director Tammy Turley).

Since becoming a client, PBPA volunteers have supported Mostly Mutts with 23 legal matters, helping the organization stay strong and focused on its mission.

Reflecting on this partnership, Board President Karen Mitchell shared: “Mostly Mutts has been fortunate to work with PBPA and volunteer attorneys for three years, making sure we are in legally good shape. It has been a very worthwhile experience.”
 

New Clients

PBPA would like to give a warm welcome to our new clients:
 Atlanta LGBTQ+ Community Center
Camp Kudzu
Sur Legal Collaborative
Top Dogg K9 Foundation, Inc.
William's House, Inc