Case Study

Helping Atlanta's youth thrive

Partnering with Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta to expand its reach and deepen its impact on Atlanta’s next generation

Opportunity

A pivotal moment for greater impact

At Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA), the mission is clear and deeply rooted: help kids and teens realize their full potential—strengthening families and communities along the way. With more than 20 clubs across the region and over 7,000 young people engaged in programs focused on academic success, healthy living, and personal growth, BGCMA plays a vital role in the lives of Atlanta’s youth. But rising community needs, a projected budget shortfall, and the ongoing challenge of attracting and retaining top talent signaled a critical inflection point—and an opportunity to reimagine what impact could look like.
Hear from former BGCMA President and CEO, David Jernigan, and the McKinsey team about our partnership to expand BGCMA's reach and deepen its impact on Atlanta's next generation.

Solution

Turning insight into action

To jump-start its next chapter, BGCMA joined Ability to Execute (A2E) for Nonprofits, McKinsey.org’s leadership development program focused on strengthening day-to-day operations. That experience laid the foundation for a targeted six-week engagement aimed at expanding BGCMA’s reach, enhancing its operations, and ensuring young people receive the support they need—where and when it matters most. Together, the team developed a comprehensive view of BGCMA’s strategy and operating model. This included:

  • a current-state assessment with peer benchmarking and staff interviews
  • long-range financial forecasting through 2029
  • a portfolio of 10 initiatives to close budget gaps through new revenue streams and operational improvements

To help bring these ideas to life, McKinsey embedded a nonprofit fellow at BGCMA headquarters. With their support, the team has already delivered early wins: piloting a flexible staffing model, launching a new system to leverage underused facilities, and convening Boys & Girls Club leaders nationwide to share insights and best practices.

Next up: BGCMA will test a new membership fee structure at select clubs in fall 2025—and the fellow will continue to support the organization’s next strategic planning cycle.

We have been on a journey of expanding our impact across Metro Atlanta. We can and should be doing even more. I’m grateful for the partnership with McKinsey because it has positioned us to make smart investments, generate additional revenue, and operate more efficiently.

David Jernigan, former CEO, Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta

Impact

Get in touch

Darius Bates
Atlanta
Leads enterprise-wide transformations that deliver a step-change in performance, organizational health, and capabilities
Ariel Watt
Atlanta
Serves public and social sector clients with a focus on corporate finance and strategy topics.