Who are we?

In 2001, Paula Swartzberg started the DeKalb County Board of Education's grant program.  She quickly realized that there was a need for a "job-a-like" group or a "support group" for grant writers, grant managers, grant coordinators and grant development professionals.  Over the next few years, there were a handful of school district employees who met occasionally to network and share ideas.

In 2004, this handful of pioneering grant professionals decided they wanted to join or start a professional grants association.  This group served as the original Board Members and Directors.  After considerable discussion and research into their options, they decided to join the American Association of Grant Professionals (AAGP).  

The American Association of Grant Professionals, is a nonprofit membership association that builds and supports an international community of grant professionals committed to serving the greater public good by practicing the highest ethical and professional standards.

In 2005, the Metro-Altanta Association of Grant Professionals (MAAGP) was incorporated and the membership elected its first Officers (2006-2007).  The MAAGP became an official chapter of the American Association of Grant Professionals.  The chapter serves members in the Atlanta, Georgia area and metropolitan surrounding counties.  The MAAGP.org website was launched.

In 2006, the membership of the Georgia Government Grant Writers Association (G3WA) joined the MAAGP.  The G3WA was a group of grant professionals employed by city, county and state government agencies in the Atlanta region.  The G3WA was formed by Danny Blitch while employed as a Grants Manager for the City of Roswell, Georgia.

In 2007, the MAAGP's membership elected new Officers for 2007-2008.  The MAAGP membership grew to inculde grant professionals who are self-employed as grant consultants, or employed by government agencies and non-profit organizations.  The MAAGP formed four committees: Programming; Membership; Professional Development; and, Funding/Website Development.

2007-2008 Committee Membership:

Programming Committee (Dana McGraw)

Membership Committee (Mac Sudduth, Michael Surma, David Bridges & Amanda Day)

Professional Development Committee (Michelle Epstein, Cathy Brown, Sonja Fillingame, Sandy Spruill & Patricia Duboise)

Funding/Website Development Committee (Danny Blitch, Jessica Pater, Paula Swartzberg & Vickie Scott).

About forming chapters: The Metro-Atlanta Chapter of the AAGP was formed by grant professionals in the Atlanta, Georgia area. As the first chapter, it is called the state chapter. More chapters may form in other areas, as grant professionals indicate interest. If you know of grant professionals in other areas who want to form a chapter, Contact Us or email our State Representative.

Who are the MAAGP Officers?

(Pictured above:  2007-2008 MAAGP Officers and AAGP Representative for Georgia; from Left to Right: Dana McGraw, Chief Financial Officer, Jessica Pater, Secretary, Amanda Day, President, Snady Spruill, Vice President, David Bridges, AAGP Representative for Georgia)

 More about the 2007-2008 Chapter Officers:

State Representative to the AAGP, David Bridges
Grants Manager for Cobb County School District 
Telephone: 770-426-3450
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The 2006-2007 Chapter Officers:

(Pictured Above:  2006-2007 MAAGP Officers and AAGP State Representative for Georgia; from left to right: Edward Jonas, Jr., Board Member/Director, Dana McGraw, Secretary, Paula Swartzberg, President, David Bridges, AAGP Representative to Georgia, Michael Surma, Treasurer; Not Pictured, Sandy Spruill,  Vice President)

Board Members/Directors: