The Coca-Cola Foundation Awards $1 Million in Grants for China Study-Abroad Programs

Grant Supports U.S. State Department's Goal to Strengthen Ties between United States and China

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Coca-Cola Foundation, the global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company, has awarded grants totaling $1 million to six U.S. colleges and universities to send approximately 160 students to study abroad in China over the next four years in support of the U.S. State Department's "100,000 Strong Initiative."

The initiative, which supports President Barack Obama's vision to see 100,000 American students study abroad in China, is designed to enhance and strengthen ties between the citizens of the United States and China in the areas of education, culture, sports, science and technology, and women's issues. It has received strong support from the Chinese government and a number of U.S. companies, including Citigroup, Caterpillar and Coca-Cola.

"Through this grant, we hope to establish a stronger relationship, find common ground, and build a better understanding between our nations," said Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. "We want to promote stronger ties between our two countries and the importance of diversity among our student bodies and global communities."

"We are very appreciative of Coca-Cola's support of our efforts to enhance relations between the US and China," said Kurt Campbell, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, for the U.S. State Department. "We share the goal of building the next generation of Americans who will manage the growing strategic, economic, and cultural ties between the United States and China."

The six U. S. colleges and universities receiving grants from The Coca-Cola Foundation for the China study-abroad programs include:

    --  Columbia University- $150,000-20 students: 10 students to participate in
        a 10-week business and internship program, and 10 students to attend a
        nine-week intensive language immersion program.
    --  Georgia Institute of Technology - $200,000-30 students: five students
        for a one-year deep immersion program, five students in a semester-long
        immersion study, and 20 students in summer programs.
    --  Michigan State University - $200,000-30 students in programs focused on
        Chinese language, business and culture.
    --  Morehouse College - $150,000- 26 students: six students in a semester
        long program and 20 students in a three-week summer program.
    --  University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) - $150,000-15 students in
        summer immersion programs.
    --  University of Texas, Austin - $150,000-45 first-generation students in
        semester long courses at one of five Chinese universities, faculty-led
        summer programs or immersion language programs.

The Coca-Cola Foundation has a strong heritage of supporting educational initiatives. In 2010, the Foundation awarded more than $23 million to support programs that offer scholarships, school drop-out prevention and access to educational programming.

About The Coca-Cola Foundation

The Coca-Cola Foundation has contributed more than $418 million in support of sustainable community initiatives worldwide. For more information about philanthropic priorities of The Coca-Cola Foundation, please go to www.thecoca-colacompany.com/citizenship/foundation_coke.html.

The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio features 15 billion dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of 1.7 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

    Source: The Coca-Cola Company

Released July 15, 2011