East Lake Foundation

What East Lake Foundation does

East Lake Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1995 by real estate developer and philanthropist Tom Cousins to revitalize the East Lake neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia. Headquartered at 2606 Alston Drive SE, the foundation operates an integrated, place-based community development model organized around four pillars: Mixed-Income Housing (centered on the Villages of East Lake and now extending to The Trust at East Lake, a 40-townhome permanently affordable housing development with Atlanta Land Trust), Cradle-to-College and Career Education (anchored by Charles R. Drew Charter School serving 1,900+ students, RISE After School, and multiple scholarship programs), Community Wellness (delivered with East Lake Family YMCA and Piedmont Healthcare), and Economic Vitality (Wealth Builds youth program, College Savings Accounts, and career connections). The foundation directly benefits more than 3,000 residents and serves over 2,200 students annually from birth through college.

The foundation's go-to-market is event-driven and donor-centric rather than commercial. Signature fundraising events — the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club (a record $7.3M contribution in 2025), East Lake Cup (over $1.5M raised since 2015), Party on the Green, East Lake Invitational, and Run for East Lake 5K — generate the majority of charitable contributions, supplemented by corporate sponsorships (Proud Partners Accenture, Coca-Cola, and Southern Company; financial partners Bank of America, Delta Community Credit Union, Cousins Foundations), individual giving, planned gifts, and matching-gift programs. Sponsorship tiers range from $500 (Bronze) to $50,000 (Lee Elder Package). Operations are led by President & CEO Ilham Askia (since August 2022) with a lean team of 11-50 staff, governed by a board that includes executives from Coca-Cola, Delta Community Credit Union, Accenture, T. Dallas Smith & Co., and Cagle Land.

The foundation's methodology has become the national blueprint through Purpose Built Communities, a spinoff nonprofit established in 2009 that has grown to 27 additional communities replicating the holistic redevelopment framework. Recognition includes Bank of America's 2022 Neighborhood Builder award ($200,000 in flexible funding). The foundation celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025 with the 30 Voices storytelling initiative. The organization has no disclosed technology products, APIs, or AI capabilities; its intellectual capital is its 30-year track record, integrated partner ecosystem, and brand association with the PGA TOUR.

Name

East Lake Foundation

Legal name

East Lake Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://eastlakefoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

East Lake Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1995 that drives holistic community redevelopment in Atlanta's East Lake neighborhood through mixed-income housing, cradle-to-college education, wellness, and economic-vitality programs serving over 3,000 residents, funded primarily via PGA TOUR-linked signature events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG, Place-Based Initiatives) (BPAIANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB), Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization Housing Programs (FSALAKAO), Community Health & Health Equity/Social Determinants Units (HLAJAAAO)

Keywords

• Community development services
• Nonprofit neighborhood revitalization
• Affordable housing programs
• Youth education programs
• Economic vitality initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Signature Event Fundraising: Major annual events including the Tour Championship (record $7.3M charitable contribution in 2025), Party on the Green, East Lake Cup collegiate golf tournament, and Run for East Lake 5K generate significant charitable donations. These events have contributed over $7 million to support programs over the last ten years.
2. Individual Giving and Donations: Individual donations, matching gift programs, gifts of stock, and planned giving options allow donors to support the organization. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization (EIN: 58-2204306) with tax-deductible donation options.
3. Corporate Philanthropic Grants: Corporate partners and foundations provide grants and sponsorships. Delta Community Credit Union awarded $150,000 in 2025 grants to metro Atlanta nonprofits including East Lake Foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

East Lake Foundation delivers a place-based holistic community development model in Atlanta's East Lake neighborhood, combining mixed-income housing (Villages of East Lake), cradle-to-college education (Drew Charter School and scholarship programs), community wellness services, and economic vitality initiatives (Wealth Builds, College Savings Accounts). Programs are delivered directly and through partner organizations and supported by signature fundraising events such as the TOUR Championship, East Lake Cup, Party on the Green, and Run for East Lake 5K that generate charitable contributions to fund operations.

Product overview

East Lake Foundation is a place-based nonprofit organization established in 1995 that utilizes an integrated model for holistic community development. The Foundation operates as a unified platform combining four core pillars: Mixed-Income Housing (Villages of East Lake), Cradle-to-College and Career Education (Charles R. Drew Charter School, RISE After School Program, and Sponsored Scholarships), Community Wellness, and Economic Vitality (Wealth Builds Program and College Savings Accounts). Additional programs include the Resident and Community Support Program (RCSP), East Lake Women's Alliance (ELWA), and the 30 Voices community storytelling initiative. The organization also hosts signature fundraising events including the TOUR Championship, East Lake Cup, Party on the Green, Run for East Lake 5K & Fun Run, and East Lake Invitational. The Foundation's approach has become a national model through Purpose Built Communities, with approximately 27 additional communities replicating this holistic redevelopment framework.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Villages of East Lake Mixed-income housing program providing affordable living options for East Lake residents as part of the Foundation's holistic community revitalization approach.
• Charles R. Drew Charter School K-12 educational institution implementing Project-Based Learning with STEAM curriculum, supporting a cradle-to-college/career continuum serving over 1,900 students enrolled annually.
• Resident and Community Support Program (RCSP) Free community programs for Villages of East Lake residents focused on Financial Wellness, Career Connections, Educational Support, and Community Engagement.
• Wealth Builds Program Economic vitality initiative for East Lake youth focusing on strategic wealth building, financial empowerment, and partnership-based program development.
• Community Wellness Programs Health and wellness initiatives supporting the physical and mental well-being of East Lake community members, delivered in partnership with the East Lake Family YMCA, Piedmont Healthcare, and other wellness providers.
• Sponsored Scholarships Multiple named scholarship programs supporting Charles R. Drew Charter School students pursuing higher education, including the Charles W. Harrison Scholarship (more than 80 awarded since 1998) and the Tom and Ann Cousins Scholarship ($5,000 annually renewable).
• East Lake Cup Annual signature collegiate golf competition featuring top-ranked men's and women's teams from NCAA Championships, held at East Lake Golf Club with broadcast on Golf Channel. Sponsorship packages and proceeds benefit East Lake Foundation community programs.
• Party on the Green Annual signature fundraising event held at East Lake Golf Club featuring music, food, beverages, and an inspiring program to support the Cradle-to-College and Career Continuum. Offers tiered sponsorship packages from $1,500 (Par) to $50,000 (Lee Elder).
• Run for East Lake 5K & Fun Run Annual community fitness event featuring a 5K race and children's Fun Run, presented by East Lake Family YMCA and TOUR Championship, benefiting East Lake Foundation programs. Offers tiered sponsorships from $500 (Bronze) to $5,000 (Platinum Presenting).
• East Lake Invitational Charity pro-am golf tournament hosted by PGA professionals Billy Andrade and Stewart Cink benefiting East Lake Foundation's neighborhood revitalization efforts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3,000 residents directly benefiting from Foundation programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• TOUR ChampionshipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2025The TOUR Championship is the culminating event of the PGA TOUR season held at East Lake Golf Club. As the primary charitable beneficiary, the tournament has contributed record amounts to the Foundation, including $7.3 million from the 2025 tournament. The partnership provides significant funding for East Lake Foundation's community programs.
• East Lake CupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollegiate match play championship at East Lake Golf Club featuring top men's and women's golf programs from NCAA Championships. Has raised over $1.5 million for the Foundation since 2015 and contributed over $7 million combined with Party on the Green over ten years.
• Party on the GreencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual signature fundraising event at East Lake Golf Club honoring community supporters. Combined with East Lake Cup, has contributed over $7 million to support Foundation programs over the last decade.
• AccentureflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerProud Partner of the TOUR Championship (2022-2027), joining Coca-Cola and Southern Company. Makes annual contributions to First Tee and supports the tournament's community impact initiatives in Atlanta.
• Coca-ColaflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive Proud Partner of the TOUR Championship alongside Southern Company and Accenture, supporting the tournament's charitable mission and community programs in Atlanta.
• Southern CompanyflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Energy Company of PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions. Proud Partner of TOUR Championship and presents the Payne Stewart Award. Supports East Lake Foundation through tournament sponsorship and charitable contributions.
• East Lake Family YMCAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey service partner in the East Lake community providing community wellness programs. Co-presenter of the Run for East Lake 5K & Fun Run event.
• Charles R. Drew Charter SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerK-12 charter school representing the educational continuum in the East Lake community. Integral part of the holistic neighborhood revitalization, implementing Project-Based Learning with STEAM curriculum serving 1,900+ students.
• Purpose Built CommunitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit established in 2009 based on the East Lake Foundation's success. Today there are 27 additional Purpose Built Communities across the country successfully creating opportunities for residents and building strong economically diverse communities.
• First Tee – Metro AtlantacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth development organization reaching kids through golf at 6 program locations, 248 schools, and 38 youth centers. Primary charitable beneficiary of TOUR Championship. Participants include Haven Ward and Ethan Quitman recognized at HOPE Tee Shot ceremony.
• Atlanta Land TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloping The Trust at East Lake, a new permanently affordable housing development with 40 townhomes. Land donation from CF Foundation in partnership with East Lake Foundation accelerates affordable homeownership.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Habitat for Humanity International: Global nonprofit building affordable housing through volunteer-driven model. Overlaps with ELF's mixed-income housing and Villages of East Lake work, though delivery model and scale differ substantially.
• United Way Worldwide: Large community-focused nonprofit operating local affiliates that fund place-based education, income, and health programs. Comparable in the breadth of community-vitality funding and donor activation, though operating model differs.
• StriveTogether: National cradle-to-career network supporting place-based partnerships across many U.S. communities. Comparable in its cradle-to-college outcomes framework and community-level collaboration model.
• Annie E. Casey Foundation: Major private foundation focused on children and families, supporting place-based community change efforts including education and economic mobility. Comparable in outcome focus and place-based community development orientation.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit focused on affordable housing and community development, with program-related investments and place-based initiatives. Comparable in mission scope, particularly ELF's mixed-income housing and community revitalization work.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): Large national community development financial institution supporting affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization across the U.S. Comparable in its integrated housing-plus-community-development approach and place-based focus.

Direct peers

• Purpose Built Communities: National nonprofit directly spun out of East Lake Foundation's model in 2009 to replicate the holistic community redevelopment framework across 27+ communities. Most directly comparable organization given shared DNA, methodology, and leadership lineage.
• East Lake Family YMCA: Direct on-the-ground partner delivering community wellness programs in the East Lake neighborhood and co-presenting the Run for East Lake 5K. Comparable as a community-services operator within the same East Lake service area.
• Harlem Children's Zone: Pioneering place-based nonprofit delivering cradle-to-career services (education, housing, health) to a defined NYC neighborhood. Closest conceptual analog to ELF's integrated four-pillar approach and a comparable model for national replication.

Regional players

• Atlanta Land Trust: Atlanta-based nonprofit developing permanently affordable housing, currently partnering with ELF on The Trust at East Lake. Comparable place-based affordable-housing mission within the same Atlanta geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EastLakeFound
• Facebookfacebook.com/eastlakefoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/east-lake-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/eastlakefound

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about East Lake Foundation