OUR STORY

ACAN began with the vision of Jack Balser, who served

for 13 years as the Endowment Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. Jack understood something profound: that the true power of philanthropy lies not just in today’s giving, but in planting seeds for tomorrow. He knew that when we educate and empower both donors and professional advisors, we create a ripple effect that transforms lives for generations.

In 2007, Jack's vision grew into a remarkable collaboration: Three of Atlanta's preeminent charitable organizations - The Atlanta Jewish Foundation, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, and United Way of Greater Atlanta - came together to offer ongoing professional development for advisors, helping them bring even more value to their clients through philanthropic conversations and legacy planning.

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In 2023 this partnership was rebranded as ACAN - Atlanta Charitable Advisor Network. Our community now includes over 200 professionals who come together around one shared goal: empowering Atlanta advisors and creating a more just, generous, and charitable city.