Arthur Blank Family Foundation

ATLANTA, June 8, 2006 — The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation today announced it is awarding more than $655,000 in Better Beginnings grants focused on early education training and policy in Atlanta. Better Beginnings is an initiative aimed at ensuring a healthy, nurturing environment for children from birth through age five.

Organizations receiving grants from the Blank Foundation are:

Jumpstart - $530,000 over three years to support the development of a pilot program in Atlanta and offer Jumpstart training to full-time staff at participating centers. The national program recruits college students to work individually with pre-school children to improve language, literacy and social skills. Jumpstart will also receive state funding through a $248,000 Georgia Americorps Commission sponsorship.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Leadership in Action Program - $50,000 to help early education professionals develop an action plan focused on increasing school readiness outcomes for children.
Voices for Georgia's Children - $75,000 to support the development and implementation of a long-term policy agenda for children in Georgia.

"If kids don't come to school prepared and ready to learn, there's a greater chance they’ll struggle throughout their lives," said Penelope McPhee, president of The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. "By making investments in early childhood programming, planning and policy development, we hope to provide them with the healthy learning environment and opportunities they need to succeed."

Formed in 1995, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation is focused on improving early childhood development, enhancing education, preserving green space, sustaining the arts and sparking collaboration among its nonprofit partners, primarily in Atlanta.

Arthur M. Blank is owner & CEO of the Atlanta Falcons and Georgia Force. He co-founded The Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, in 1978 and retired from the company as co-chairman in 2001. Through his generosity, the foundation, along with Blank and his wife's personal giving, has granted over $220 million to various charitable organizations.