The Coca-Cola Foundation: Building Stronger Communities One Grant at a Time
The Foundation Awards More than $1.6 Million to Disaster Relief Efforts and Nonprofit Organizations in the U.S. and Canada
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- When communities and organizations need the most help, The Coca-Cola Foundation is there, steadfast in its commitment to create a positive difference. During the third quarter, the Foundation awarded more than $1.6 million in grants to nonprofit organizations across the U.S. and Canada.
In the last three months, the country has experienced unprecedented natural disasters including heatwaves, hurricanes and flooding. The damage from these has been devastating, especially for some parts of the Northeast U.S. The Coca-Cola Foundation is pleased to be able to assist affected communities in disaster relief efforts. In addition to providing beverages immediately following the devastation of Hurricane Irene, the Foundation also earmarked $50,000 to support disaster relief efforts. A $25,000 grant will benefit the American Red Cross to support relief efforts in upstate New York, while another $25,000 grant will support the United Way's Vermont Disaster Relief Fund.
“Every day, Coca-Cola partners with organizations that make a meaningful impact on community needs,” said Lori George Billingsley, Vice President, Community Relations, Coca-Cola Refreshments. “In the midst of uncertainty, such as after severe weather damage, the Foundation and the entire Coca-Cola system are also there to help communities that need additional support. Coca-Cola strives to not only provide ongoing funds for organizations across North America, but also to help communities rebuild after natural disasters.”
In addition to the disaster relief funding, the $1.6 million included $875,000 for education and youth development programs; $150,000 for community programs; $200,000 for active, healthy living initiatives; $220,000 for water stewardship projects; and $150,000 for community recycling efforts.
The recent grants are part of nearly $10 million that The Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded to 65 organizations across the U.S. and Canada this year.
Organizations receiving funding include:
Education and Youth Development
Apollo
Theater Foundation Inc., New York, NY, $200,000
Latin American
Association Inc., Atlanta, GA, $25,000
Marcus Jewish Community
Center of Atlanta Inc., Atlanta, GA, $50,000
Maynard Jackson Youth
Foundation Inc., Atlanta, GA, $50,000
National Urban Fellows, New
York, NY, $50,000
University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA,
$500,000 (multi-year grant of $125,000 annually through 2014)
Community
24/7 Gateway LLC,
Atlanta, GA, $50,000
La Mama Experimental Theatre Club Inc., New
York, NY, $100,000
Active, Healthy Living
Gameday
Healthy Kids Foundation, Collierville, TN, $50,000
ParticipACTION,
Toronto, Ontario, $125,000
Please Be Kind to Cyclists, Austin, TX,
$25,000
Water Stewardship
The Nature
Conservancy, Arlington, VA, $200,000
TreeUtah, Salt Lake City, UT,
$20,000
Community Recycling
Keep
America Beautiful, Stamford, CT, $150,000
About The Coca-Cola Foundation
Since its inception, The Coca-Cola Foundation has donated more than $418 million to sustainable community initiatives across the globe. For more information about The Coca-Cola Foundation, please go to http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/citizenship/foundation_coke.html.
About 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.
The Coca-Cola Company
Ali Hartman, 678-910-4196
alihartman@coca-cola.com
Source: The Coca-Cola Company
Released September 20, 2011