ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As The Coca-Cola Company celebrates 125 years of sharing happiness throughout 2011, its philanthropic arm continues the Company’s heritage of giving back to the communities where it does business. During the first quarter of 2011, The Coca-Cola Foundation awarded grants totaling more than $6 million to 31 organizations across the United States. The grants focus on active, healthy living; water stewardship; community recycling; education and youth development; and community, arts and culture.
In addition, The Coca-Cola Foundation and the Coca-Cola system awarded grants totaling $600,000 to assist with emergency relief efforts in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee following recent tornado and flooding devastation. Coca-Cola also delivered more than 28 truckloads of bottles and cans of water, juice, sports drinks and sparkling beverages to residents and relief organizations, in addition to assisting with community rebuilding efforts.
“Coca-Cola has been a proud part of the fabric of our communities throughout the United States for 125 years. Throughout our history, we have worked to bring a little happiness into the everyday lives of Americans and to support charities, colleges, universities and community organizations across the country. The Coca-Cola Foundation's goal is to continue our Company's great tradition of giving,” said Lori George Billingsley, Vice President, Community Relations, Coca-Cola Refreshments. “We can work together for another century and beyond by promoting and creating sustainable communities.”
Of the $6 million allocated, $342,000 supports active, healthy living initiatives; $1 million supports water stewardship projects; $1.5 million aids community recycling efforts; $1.5 million supports education and youth development programs; and $1.6 million supports community, arts and culture programs.
Organizations receiving funding include:
Active, Healthy Living
America
SCORES - Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, $25,000
Birmingham Athletic
Partnership, Birmingham, AL, $10,000
Good Sports, Quincy, MA,
$100,000
Marathon Kids, Houston, TX, $30,000
New Mexico
Centennial Foundation, Santa Fe, NM, $25,000
Pinebelt Association
for Families, Petal, MS, $37,000
Rancho Los Amigos Foundation Inc.,
Downey, CA, $50,000
The Children’s Museum of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA,
$20,000
Truly Living Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture,
Atlanta, GA, $20,000
Young Men’s Christian Association of
Metropolitan Atlanta Inc., Atlanta, GA, $25,000
Water Stewardship
Save the
Harbor / Save the Bay, Boston, MA, $25,000
The Nature Conservancy,
Atlanta, GA, $1 million
Water Environment Federation, Alexandria,
VA, $25,000
Community Recycling
Keep Baton
Rouge Beautiful Inc., Baton Rouge, LA, $9,500
The Ocean
Conservancy, Washington, D.C., $1.5 million (multi-year grant of
$500,000 annually through 2013)
Education and Youth Development
American
Association of Community Colleges, Washington, D.C., $55,000
Atlanta
Music Project, Atlanta, GA, $50,000
Barrio Station, San Diego, CA,
$50,000
Christ the King School, Atlanta, GA, $50,000
Morehouse
College, Atlanta, GA, $150,000
Sphinx Organization Inc., Detroit,
MI, $30,000
The Arch Foundation for University of Georgia Inc.,
Athens, GA, $1 million (multi-year grant of $250,000 annually through
2015)
The Georgia Charter Schools Association, Atlanta, GA, $50,000
Truancy
Intervention Project Georgia Inc., Atlanta, GA, $25,000
Wesleyan
School Inc., Norcross, GA, $50,000
Community, Arts and Culture
Atlanta
Historical Society Inc., Atlanta, GA, $1 million (multi-year grant to be
paid annually through 2013)
Atlanta Leadership Development
Foundation Inc., Atlanta, GA, $25,000
McComb Main Street
Association, McComb, MS, $10,000
National Black Arts Festival Inc.,
Atlanta, GA, $96,000
Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center Inc., Atlanta,
GA, $500,000
United Way of Greater Houston, Houston, TX, $40,680
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.
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.