The Coca-Cola Foundation, the global philanthropic arm of Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co., awarded $26 million in grants to 85 community organizations during the first quarter of 2012. The grants support the foundation’s global priority areas, including the following: $9.7 million for water stewardship; $3.6 million for fitness and nutrition; $7.4 million for education; and $4.9 million for community recycling and other local priorities such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, youth development and civic initiatives.
“We measure the success of our commitments by the impact these grants will have in people’s lives, in their neighborhoods and in their communities all over the world,” said Ingrid Saunders Jones, chairperson of The Coca-Cola Foundation, in a statement. “Seeing the tangible results of partnership and innovation inspires our continued investment to help build sustainable communities around the world.”
The grants will create the following benefits, according to The Coca-Cola Foundation:
- 2 million people worldwide will have improved access to clean water or sanitation.
- 3.1 billion liters of water will be conserved; 48 tons of debris will be collected.
- 8.9 million people will benefit from increased water conservation and education.
- 2.3 million youth and adults will participate in fitness or nutrition programs.
- 255,000 students will benefit from education programs, 32,639 of which will be awarded scholarships; 169 colleges and other schools will receive grant support.
For a complete list of organizations receiving grant funding from The Coca-Cola Foundation, visit www.thecoca-colacompany.com.
