The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation announced Oct. 13 that it would make $50 million, 10-year scholarship investment to support students at four of Atlanta’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
According to a press release from the foundation, the funding will provide gap scholarships intended to increase the number of students graduating from Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morris Brown College, and Spelman College.
For many students, financial barriers—not academics—stand in the way of earning their diplomas, the release said.
The gap scholarships are designed to overcome the financial barrier, helping more students complete their education. Beginning in 2026, the program is projected to support nearly 10,000 students, helping raise graduation rates across Atlanta’s HBCUs and serve as a model for other philanthropies to expand investment in HBCU student success.
Students who are in good academic standing and have fully exhausted other financial options, including scholarships, federal grants, state assistance and loan programs, will be eligible to receive funding at the discretion of their respective institution. The funding will largely support students in their junior and senior years, when financial stress can be most acute as family resources may be spread thin or additional siblings begin college.
The funding is from the Blank Foundation’s Founder Initiatives portfolio, including support of essential Atlanta institutions.
“Atlanta holds a special place in my heart and will always be an integral part of our family foundation’s giving,” Arthur M. Blank, chairman, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, said in a statement. “We know Spelman, Morris Brown, Morehouse and Clark Atlanta are vital to Atlanta’s future, and we are deeply committed to supporting the students who will carry that legacy forward. We recognize that these campuses, like many across the country, are home to generations of students whose promise inspires us. Our hope is that by helping more students earn their degrees, launch successful careers and become alumni who give back, we are investing in a cycle of opportunity that benefits young people and their families in Atlanta and communities across the nation for years to come.”
“This monumental investment will empower our students to remain focused on their academic studies and ensure that their talent, ambition, hard work, and integrity, not financial hardship, will determine their futures,” Morehouse President Dr. F. DuBois Bowman said in a statement.
“This investment affirms that every Spelman scholar deserves access to a world-class education. It expands our ability to bridge financial gaps and support students through to graduation,” Spelman Interim President Rosalind “Roz” Brewer said.
“This transformative gift empowers Clark Atlanta students to succeed and lead globally,” Clark Atlanta President Dr. George T. French Jr. said. “It provides the critical resources they need to graduate and prepare for leadership in the global marketplace.”
“The Blank Foundation’s commitment provides critical support for Morris Brown students in their educational journeys,” Morris Brown College President Dr. Kevin E. James said. “It removes economic barriers that have historically stood in the way of achieving their aspirations.”