Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta Grants $1 Million to Support Black Arts Programs

91% of funding supports BIPOC-founded or led organizations

Atlanta, GA — The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta announces funding through the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund (Arts Fund). A total of $1.15 million is awarded to 28 arts organizations profoundly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic that have responded to the needs of their constituencies with safe, innovative programming to uplift arts throughout the region. Of the $1.15 million, more than a million, representing 91% of total funding, is granted to organizations founded or led by Black, Indigenous or people of color (BIPOC). Of those 28, 18 organizations are first-time recipients of a competitive cash grant from the Arts Fund.

The Community Foundation recognizes that arts organizations have been especially hard hit during the COVID-19 pandemic as performances shuttered and venues closed. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic especially overwhelmed Black-led organizations that were already at a significant disadvantage. Following a forum discussion with Black arts leaders across the region after an initial round of funding in June, the Community Foundation adapted the eligibility criteria and application process for the Arts Fund to be more accessible to a broader range of organizations that have not been supported in the Arts Fund’s 27-year history.

“With this grant cycle we prioritized Black-founded and led organizations and those that have been thoughtful and innovative to continue to provide artistic education and expression to the community during the pandemic,” said Lita Pardi, vice president, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. “Our program changes were spurred by honest and unflinching feedback given to us by those we seek to serve. Moving forward we will work with organizations that did not receive funding in this round to direct them to our other grant programs or partners that can provide pro bono support during this critical time of need.”

“My colleagues here at the Foundation, and our Board, are navigating a path toward equity, not just in the arts, but across multiple priorities that have been exacerbated by the pandemic – including inequities in education, food security, and affordable housing,” said Frank Fernandez, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “We recently held a follow-up meeting to form a task force of Black arts leaders that will continue driving the work of the Arts Fund toward racial equity and boosting arts organizations that focus on creative expression of the Black experience. We expect that this will be a model for more collaborative grantmaking moving forward.”

These grants are made for general operating support, allowing grantee organizations the discretion to immediately put resources where they are needed most. Arts organizations receiving grants, and individual grant amounts are listed below (more details on each organization can be found here):

1. Abel 2, Inc. ($21,600)
2. Alternate ROOTS ($85,000)
3. Amario’s Art Academy for the Gifted and Talented ($32,400)
4. APEX Museum ($50,000)
5. AREA: Atlanta’s Resource for Entertainment and Arts ($80,000)
6. ART Station ($75,000)
7. ARTiculate ATL ($10,000)
8. ArtsXchange (Southeast Community Cultural Center) ($80,000)
9. Atlanta Music Project ($85,000)
10. Ballethnic Dance Company ($84,842)
11. ChopArt ($40,000)
12. City Gate Dance Theater Company ($11,550)
13. Clark Atlanta University Art Museum ($25,000)
14. Dance Canvas ($40,000)
15. Flux Projects ($20,000)
16. Giwayen Mata ($18,000)
17. gloATL ($20,000)
18. Hammonds House Museum ($83,000)
19. How BIG Is Your Dream Foundation ($10,000)
20. Manga African Dance ($21,000)
21. Murmur Media ($10,000)
22. PushPush Theatre Company ($16,000)
23. re:imagine ATL ($85,000)
24. Soul Food Cypher ($15,000)
25. Staibdance ($25,000)
26. T. Lang Dance ($10,000)
27. Trey Clegg Singers ($20,000)
28. True Colors Theatre Company ($85,000)

In addition to these arts-focused grants, the Community Foundation has also awarded more than $18.4 million to 321 nonprofit organizations through the Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, a joint effort with United Way of Greater Atlanta, delivering to the areas of greatest need and the most vulnerable populations as our region endures this pandemic.

About the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
Since 1951, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta has been leading and inspiring philanthropy to increase the vitality of our region and the well-being of all residents. With nearly 70 years serving the 23-county Atlanta region and a robust team of experts, the Community Foundation expands its philanthropic reach and impact by providing quality services to donors and bold, innovative community leadership. The Community Foundation is a top-20 community foundation among 800 nationally, with approximately $1.2 billion in current assets, and is Georgia’s second-largest foundation. For more information, visit: cfgreateratlanta.org or connect with the Foundation via Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

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