Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) announced that its SCAD SERVE initiative — a program that empowers students, faculty and staff to address community needs throughout Atlanta — had a record-breaking year.
According to the college, SCAD SERVE partnered with over 60 charities, foundations, schools, healthcare providers and government agencies across Atlanta and Savannah during the 2024–25 academic year, the most in the program’s history.
During the school year, SCAD students from a number of different majors — including Interior Design, Architecture, UX, Industrial Design and Advertising — collaborated with the local partners to develop strategies and solutions in support of local communities.
Some of the organizations the program worked with were American Red Cross, Ronald McDonald House, Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta and Nicholas House Atlanta, to name a few.
“We are incredibly grateful to the talented SCAD Serve students who brought creativity, compassion and innovation to the interior design of our shelter renovation and rebuild,” said Jannan Thomas, executive director of Nicholas House Atlanta (homeless shelter).
“Their vision for a warm, welcoming, and functional environment that truly feels like home for the families we serve really captured the mission of our organization. Their dedication and artistry have made a lasting impact, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the results!”
Other achievements the program accomplished during the academic year include awarding almost $2 million in grant funding to local nonprofits (in support of food, shelter, safety and education initiatives), gifting hundreds of art supply boxes to Atlanta and Savannah schools, along with collecting and donating more than 50,000 pounds worth of items to Goodwill and over 3,000 pounds of non-perishable food to the Salvation Army.
“Our students have demonstrated a remarkable new level of altruism — channeling their creativity, compassion, and commitment to service in ways that have truly transformed our communities,” said Scott Linzey, vice president of SCAD SERVE. “Their selfless dedication reflects the very heart of SCAD SERVE’s mission: using art and design to uplift, empower, and inspire lasting change.”