Helping girls choose purpose, independence, and possibility.
GIFTS, Inc. develops self-advocacy and independence in girls ages 10–24 and community members through education, one-to-one mentoring, life skills, STREAM exploration, leadership development, and personal growth.
Transforming Self. Strengthening Community.
Mentoring, life skills, STREAM, leadership, and holistic youth development.
We believe transformation begins with how a girl sees herself.
Girls Intellectually Focused in Transforming Self, Inc. exists to help girls and young women build the intellectual, emotional, social, and practical skills needed to lead independent and purpose-filled lives.
Our work is rooted in holistic development: one-to-one mentoring, life skills, financial literacy, career readiness, STREAM exploration, arts and culture, garden-to-table learning, leadership, and personal growth.
Read Our MissionOne-to-One Mentoring
Supportive relationships that help participants build confidence, set goals, practice decision-making, and strengthen self-advocacy.
Life Skills
Practical training that includes financial literacy, career readiness, work readiness, communication, and independence-building.
STREAM
Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics experiences that connect creativity with critical thinking.
Holistic Growth
GIFTS supports academic, emotional, social, vocational, cultural, and personal development.
Building confident young women prepared for sustainable change.
GIFTS develops self-advocacy and independence in girls ages 10–24 and community members, leading to sustainable, positive change through education, leadership development, mentoring, life skills, STREAM, and personal growth initiatives.
Mission
To empower girls and young women through education, one-to-one mentoring, life skills, STREAM, leadership, self-advocacy, and personal development.
Vision
A community where girls and young women are confident, skilled, independent, civically engaged, and prepared to transform their lives and communities.
Who We Serve
Girls and young women ages 10–24, families, and community members in Atlanta, South Fulton, Fulton County, Georgia, and surrounding communities.
Programs organized around mentoring, life skills, and STREAM.
GIFTS programming is designed to help participants build confidence, independence, academic curiosity, career readiness, cultural awareness, and practical life skills.
One-to-One Mentoring
Individual mentoring relationships that support goal-setting, self-advocacy, leadership, decision-making, and personal accountability.
- Identity and confidence-building
- Goal-setting and accountability
- Leadership and self-advocacy support
Life Skills
Life skills programming helps participants prepare for independence, school, work, leadership, and informed financial decisions.
- Financial literacy
- Career readiness and training
- Work readiness and communication
STREAM
STREAM connects Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics through hands-on, creative, and community-centered learning.
- Arts and culture programming
- Garden-to-table learning
- Creative problem-solving and exploration
Supportive guidance that helps participants grow with confidence.
Mentoring is a central part of GIFTS. Through consistent one-to-one support, participants receive encouragement, structure, and practical guidance as they build confidence, personal responsibility, and leadership capacity.
Discover strengths and identity.
Mentors help participants explore interests, values, talents, challenges, and goals in a safe and supportive environment.
Develop practical life skills.
Participants receive guidance in communication, financial literacy, career readiness, personal organization, and problem-solving.
Practice through real experiences.
Mentoring connects learning to school, career exploration, community service, STREAM projects, and personal growth goals.
Lead with purpose.
Participants grow as advocates, creators, workers, entrepreneurs, students, and community leaders.
Financial literacy and career readiness belong inside practical life preparation.
GIFTS life skills programming prepares participants to make informed decisions, communicate effectively, manage money, explore career pathways, and build the habits needed for long-term independence.
Financial Literacy
Budgeting, saving, banking basics, spending decisions, financial goal-setting, and introductory entrepreneurship concepts.
Career Readiness & Training
Resume preparation, interviewing, workplace etiquette, time management, job search skills, and professional communication.
Self-Advocacy & Communication
Confidence-building, healthy boundaries, conflict resolution, decision-making, social skills, and personal accountability.
Hands-on learning that connects creativity, literacy, culture, and problem-solving.
STREAM programming helps participants explore Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics through culturally relevant, project-based learning.
Arts & Culture
Creative arts, sewing, quilting, storytelling, oral history, cultural awareness, and identity-building activities that strengthen self-expression.
Garden-to-Table
Community gardening, sustainable growing practices, healthy eating, food awareness, environmental responsibility, and hands-on science learning.
Reading, Research & Exploration
Reading, critical thinking, research, reflection, and project-based learning that strengthen academic confidence and curiosity.
Governance rooted in accountability, experience, and community service.
GIFTS is governed by a Board of Directors responsible for oversight, fiscal accountability, policy approval, and mission integrity.
Rashida A. Kirton
Founder and CEO
Atlanta entrepreneur since 2009. Entrepreneur and systems optimization expert specializing in finance and technology integrations to create efficiencies. Rashida brings 17+ years of hands-on experience managing small business and nonprofit finances, including a $3.5 million endowment for a nonprofit organization.
- Member, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated
- Former volunteer, Junior League of Atlanta
- Board member, The Montpelier Descendants Committee
Jeanelle Wallington
Board Member
Regional Vice President, Primerica.
Safiya Queen
Board Member
Owner of Safiya Queen LLC, Atlanta, Georgia.
Fernandus Jones
Board Member
Board member. Photo and additional biography are pending.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Safiya Queen is the sister of Founder & CEO Rashida A. Kirton. This relationship is disclosed in accordance with our Conflict of Interest Policy.
All remaining board members are independent of the Executive Director, with no family or financial relationship to organizational leadership. The Board Chair position is currently being confirmed and will be added to this page when appointed.
Independence Statement
The majority of Girls Intellectually Focused in Transforming Self Inc.'s Board of Directors are independent members. Board composition reflects the diversity of the Atlanta communities we serve. Board meetings are held a minimum of three times per year with a quorum requirement. The board reviews and approves the annual budget, the Form 990 before filing, and all major organizational policies.
Measuring growth in confidence, readiness, and community contribution.
GIFTS can use this section to publish annual outcomes, participant stories, mentoring matches, program numbers, community partnerships, and strategic progress.
Participant age range served
Core program areas
Learning with arts and culture
Holistic youth development
Public accountability, governance, and organizational compliance.
Girls Intellectually Focused in Transforming Self Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Our independent Board of Directors oversees governance, financial accountability, and mission integrity.
Tax-Exempt Status
GIFTS, Inc. is recognized as an educational and charitable 501(c)(3) organization.
State Registration
Georgia charitable solicitation registration is in progress. The registration number will be posted upon receipt.
Board Oversight
The Board of Directors provides independent oversight for governance, fiscal accountability, program alignment, and mission integrity.
Legal and operating information.
611430 — Professional and Management Development Training
Public documents and compliance records.
This library provides a central location for governance, tax-exempt, annual reporting, and compliance documents. Most documents are available by request to support privacy, record control, and responsible disclosure.
IRS Determination Letter
Confirms recognition as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
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Articles of Incorporation
Foundational corporate filing for the Georgia nonprofit corporation.
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Bylaws
Governing rules for board structure, meetings, officers, and organizational operations.
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Conflict of Interest Policy
Policy supporting ethical decision-making and disclosure of potential conflicts.
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Whistleblower Policy
Policy supporting responsible reporting and protection for good-faith concerns.
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Document Retention Policy
Policy outlining responsible retention, storage, and disposal of organizational records.
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Privacy Policy
Explains how GIFTS handles website inquiries, contact information, and communications.
Read Privacy Policy
Annual Report
Summary of programs, stewardship, organizational progress, and community impact.
Request
Form 990 / 990-N Filing
Annual federal nonprofit information return or postcard filing, as applicable.
Request
Financial Statement Summary
Public summary of financial activity, stewardship, and program support.
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GA Charitable Registration
State charitable solicitation registration documentation will be posted upon receipt.
Request
Board of Directors
Current board roster, officer listing, or governance overview may be requested.
Request
Your support helps girls build skills that last a lifetime.
Contributions and service support one-to-one mentoring, life skills programming, financial literacy, career readiness and training, STREAM activities, arts and culture, garden-to-table learning, and community-based leadership development.
Action starts with connection.
Contact GIFTS to ask about program enrollment, mentoring, volunteer service, sponsorships, partnerships, career readiness training, STREAM activities, document requests, board service, or community collaborations.
Organization: Girls Intellectually Focused in Transforming Self, Inc.
Address: P.O. Box 85123, Atlanta, GA 30337
Phone: 404.857.1622
Governance: governance@giftsatlanta.org