Atlanta United owner Arthur Blank, through his family foundation, is donating $5.4 million to COVID-19 relief efforts, both immediate and long-term, in Georgia and Montana.
“As a Family Foundation we have always believed that it is the power of many that will make the greatest impact on the most pressing issues in our society,” Blank said in a statement. “This is that moment — to join together to truly harness the power of all of us to address a challenge that knows no boundaries and has no precedent in our lifetimes.”
The foundation is granting $5 million to the Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, established by United Way of Greater Atlanta and Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.
It helps those in economically vulnerable populations facing a sudden gap in support. Funds will go to nonprofit organizations that address food insecurity, housing stability, medical supports and childcare among pressing concerns.
“Thank you to The Arthur M. Blank Foundation for their generous investment in the Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund,” United Way of Greater Atlanta CEO Milton J. Little, Jr said in a statement. “The Foundation’s gift will give our children, families, communities and the nonprofits who support them across Greater Atlanta the resources they need during a time of great economic crisis. Our leaders continue to step up and support the residents of our great city and we couldn’t be more grateful.”
Blank’s foundation has also issued matching $100,000 grants to Hands on Atlanta, which helps support public schools across Atlanta, and the Atlanta Police Foundation.
In addition, Mercedes-Benz Stadium is donating 3.5 tons of surplus food, a value of $100,000, that will provide 2,310 meals to six Atlanta-area nonprofit groups.
The foundation is also granting $50,000 to Hopa Mountain in Montana to aid Native America and Latino workers who have been displaced by the closing of hospitality venues. An addition $50,000 will go to HRDC to find alternative housing options for area homeless
Another $25,000 is donated to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank, and $20,000 to both the Healthy Gallatin Campaign and the Livingston Food Resource Center to those in Park County who need emergency food support, including the area’s most at-risk during the pandemic — the children and elderly.
