Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Pledges $50 million to Atlanta HBCUs

In a landmark move to expand educational access, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation (AMBFF) has committed US$50 million over 10 years to four historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in Atlanta: Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morris Brown College, and Spelman College. The initiative, set to begin in 2026, aims to support nearly 10,000 students through scholarships funded by the foundation’s Founder Initiative portfolio.

“This investment is about more than financial aid – it’s about unlocking potential,” said Fay Twersky, president of AMBFF. “We’re empowering a new generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers who will transform their communities and beyond.”

Founded in 1995 by Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United owner Arthur M. Blank, the foundation has distributed over US$1.5 billion to educational, civic, and nonprofit organizations across the United States.

Its prior HBCU investments include US$10 million for Spelman’s Arthur M. Blank Innovation Lab, US$6 million for athletic infrastructure at multiple institutions, US$3 million to digitize Morris Brown’s hospitality credential program, and support for Morehouse’s golf team and football equipment upgrades.

The latest pledge underscores AMBFF’s deepening commitment to equity in higher education and the long-term vitality of Atlanta’s HBCU ecosystem – key engines of Black academic excellence and economic mobility.