Leveling the Playing Field for Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Four historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in Georgia and Alabama unveiled newly refurbished football fields through a program funded by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and supported by the NFL Foundation. The HBCU Invitational Field Refurbishment Program, managed by the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC), utilized a $6.5 million grant to improve field quality, safety and accessibility.

LISC President and CEO Michael T. Pugh shared, “These updates create opportunities benefiting institutions, students and community members.”

The program’s impact extends beyond athletics. These refurbished fields inspire greater pride and strengthen connections between schools, students, alumni and communities.

Montana Media Lab Elevates the Voices of Rural and Indigenous Youth

Rural and Indigenous youth rarely see their stories in the media, let alone told by journalists who reflect their communities. Montana Media Lab's Youth Voices program addresses this gap, equipping young people with the skills to craft compelling narratives about issues that matter to them.

Mary Auld, executive director of Montana Media Lab, explains, “Our greatest challenge is convincing students that their voices are essential to a media landscape from which they’ve been largely excluded. We teach students hard journalism skills like interviewing, fact-checking and news writing, and then empower them to make something amazing!”

The foundation has invested $50,000 in Montana Media Lab to expand this vital initiative. This will enable more young storytellers to amplify their voices and enrich the media landscape with diverse perspectives.

Helping Women Pursue Public Service Through Education and Inspiration

Significant strides have been made in the century since women won the right to vote. Yet, the journey towards full political equality remains ongoing. Larissa Martinez, founder and president of the Women's Public Leadership Network (WPLN), highlights a persistent challenge: "Women generally tend to hover around 20-30% of any given chamber, but that does not include a broad range of backgrounds or ideological diversity."

WPLN, an organization dedicated to providing leadership training for women, has received a $1 million grant from the foundation. This funding will bolster WPLN's efforts to increase the diversity of women running for office in Montana and Georgia.

Research shows that women in politics excel at consensus-building and bipartisan problem-solving. By nurturing diverse female leaders, WPLN aims to create a more representative political landscape at all levels, reflecting our communities' diverse voices.

AMBFF In The News

• First look at Children's Healthcare Of Atlanta's massive new hospital, AJC

• From breadth to depth: The Blank Family Foundation tackles mental health, Inside Philanthropy

• New logo unveiled for Arthur M. Blank National Training Center, AJC



• Atlanta Falcons owner gifts HBCUs grants to upgrade football field turf, HBCUSports

• Montana Community Foundation opens grants to support mental health services, KTVH