2023 Rising Star: William Jackson

By Kalie VanDewater

Rising Star

William Jackson

New Georgia Project Action Fund
Membership Coordinator

Getting started in a new role, let alone a leadership role, can be a challenge. You have to pick up new processes, get to know a new team and still fulfill all the responsibilities that come with it.

To not only succeed but excel in such a situation is an even larger task, and this year’s NonProfit PRO Rising Star Award recognizes someone who has proven they are up for the challenge.

William Jackson, this year’s winner, joined the team at New Georgia Project Action Fund, an organization dedicated to increasing civic engagement among historically underrepresented populations in Georgia, as membership coordinator just over one year ago. Since then, Jackson, who previously served in Afghanistan in the U.S. Army, has proven himself to be a valuable piece of the New Georgia Project Action Fund team, according to his nominator.

Over the past year, Jackson invested his efforts in the nonprofit’s new membership program, more than doubling the 800 members involved in the program.

“Under his stewardship, the membership program has grown to over 2,145 members,” his nominator told NonProfit PRO. “This is a testament to his operational prowess and reflects his innate ability to connect with diverse communities and inspire them to be part of a larger movement.”

Jackson has also developed new programs to connect young people with resources to become active within the political sphere. Notably, he has established the nonpartisan “How to Run for Political Office” program, which enables members to connect face-to-face with politicians who can answer questions about political engagement, as well as the “Women in Power and Politics” program, which has helped people in Georgia learn more about the women who hold office in their state and what they do, according to Jackson’s nominator.

At other events throughout the year, such as Juneteenth, Pride and Black History Month, Jackson developed and distributed 300 “Party-in-a-Box” packages to participants.

“In these unique distributive organizing events that Will created, members received custom designed boxes with gift cards for expenses, games, decorations and civic actions to help engage their communities and increase members,” his nominator told NonProfit PRO.

As a leader, Jackson has made it a point to offer opportunities for training to members, such as The People’s Convention. Members traveled out of Georgia to the convention, held in Memphis, Tennessee, to learn about how to engage their neighbors in the political process and educate them on voting.

He has also led conversations on community care and strategic engagement.

“His focus on marginalized communities, particularly Black queer individuals, has elevated the discourse to one of inclusivity and representation,” his nominator told NonProfit PRO.

“But beyond these tangible accomplishments, what stands out most prominently about William is his unique leadership style,” his nominator added. “He has fostered an organizational culture where every team member, irrespective of their role, feels intrinsically valuable to the mission. His ability to inspire, motivate, and rally his team toward common goals is truly commendable.”