The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation promotes positive change in peoples' lives and builds and enhances the communities in which they live. They seek innovative solutions that enable young people, families and communities to achieve results beyond what seems possible today.
Current programs of the foundation include:
AMB West Philanthropies: AMB West Philanthropies comprises the nonprofit interests of The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation in the Western United States, which includes West Creek Ranch, AMB West Community Fund, AMB West Conservation, AMB West Base Camp, and AMB West Challenge Course. Through grant making, convening, advocacy and in-kind services, AMB West Philanthropies promotes positive change in peoples' lives and builds and enhances the communities in which they live.
American Explorers: American Explorers is a comprehensive leadership development program giving youth from Atlanta's historic Westside communities pathways to leadership. Through a collection of programs and hands-on learning experiences, American Explorers become change agents, educators, community builders, entrepreneurs and stewards of their communities.
The American Explorers leadership development program involves year-round opportunities and activities for participants to engage in school and community service projects, leadership cultivation, and collaborative experiences. Participation requires youth to meet annual benchmarks and to identify ways in which they can improve their Circles of Influence.
Art of Change: More than 50 Atlanta arts organizations have come together to change the game. Launched by the Blank Family Foundation and led by a steering committee of peers, the Audience Building Roundtable is poised to accelerate audience building innovations. Through the Roundtable, groups are testing ways to build relationships with those elusive adults– the interested, non-attenders – and to deepen relationships with customers who have sampled programming but not returned for more.
Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation: The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation makes investments in nonprofit organizations that demonstrate capacity to reduce obesity and improve fitness among school-age children in Georgia. In particular, investments in innovative ways to move more children from sedentary to active lifestyles. Partners may serve kids at after-school programs or at school during the school day. Beginning in 2017, emphasis will be placed on the Rise Up! 159 initiative, which is expanding NFL Flag Football participation in every one of Georgia's 159 counties.
Atlanta United Foundation: AUF makes grants to nonprofit organizations that show promise for extending soccer programs and participation to children and adults who would not otherwise get to participate.
Inspiring Spaces: The foundation seeks partners with a passion for parks and green space. Through these partners, they aim to preserve and enhance a new generation of safe, clean, accessible parks and community green spaces.
The Molly Blank Fund: The focus of investments are on programs that address the interests Molly Blank supported in her lifetime, including at-risk youth, arts and culture, and Jewish causes emphasizing social justice and interfaith coalitions.
The Overwatch Fund: Administered by The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, The Overwatch Fund awards grants to nonprofit organizations supporting veterans of the U.S Military in the state of Georgia. A select group of veterans who currently hold positions as associates across the Blank Family of Businesses lead The Overwatch Fund. The Fund will focus on investments, programs or policies that improve veterans' conditions related to mental health, homelessness and successful transition from service.
Pathways To Success: Support for in-school innovations and out-of-school initiatives that provide powerful learning and mentoring experiences, encourage and guide youth to pursue rigorous postsecondary programs and offer useful information about what it takes to gain access to and persist in high-quality postsecondary education and training.
PGA Tour Superstore & The First Tee: Joining more than 300 golf professionals from the network of PGA tours in supporting The First Tee, the PGA TOUR Superstore provides chapters with equipment donations, tournament sponsorships, training and clinics and customer fund-raising events. In partnership with The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, the PGA TOUR Superstore makes grants to chapters where the stores do business.
Westside Neighborhood Prosperity Fund: The foundation has committed up to $30,000,000 to transforming the Westside neighborhoods (English Avenue, Vine City and Castleberry Hill). Investments give preference to projects that:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the overall needs of the neighborhoods;
- Accelerate quality-of-life improvements, benefitting children and families;
- Improve the health, education and welfare of residents;
- Address equity, social justice and cultural/historic preservation issues associated with new residential and commercial development; and
- Attract new investment, new jobs and new businesses to the stadium neighborhoods.
To date, more than $15 million of the $30 million has been distributed to projects focused on housing, educational opportunity, crime and safety, health, and civic empowerment. Grantees can be seen at https://blankfoundation.org/investments/.