(from L - R): Beth Brown and Kristen Ward

Two Leadership Moves Advance the Foundation's Mission

The foundation is celebrating two important leadership changes. After leading the foundation’s Mental Health & Well-Being portfolio since 2022 and helping build its strategy to support young people from infancy through adolescence, Beth Brown has transitioned to managing director, Effective Philanthropy and Learning.

In this role, Brown will partner with colleagues across the organization’s giving areas to strengthen effectiveness and amplify impact.



Stepping into the managing director, Mental Health & Well-Being role is Kristen Ward, who co-founded Mindful Philanthropy, an organization that advises funders on high-impact mental health strategies. 


Together, Brown and Ward will help usher in an exciting new chapter for the foundation as it continues to innovate to further advance this important work.

SEEDS Expands Access to Energy Efficiency Programs in the Southeast

Low-income families make up 27% of U.S. households and often help fund energy efficiency programs through fees on their monthly bills, yet they receive just 13% of the assistance.

The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance's SEEDS program is working to change that. Partnering with trusted local organizations in eight southeastern metro areas, SEEDS offers hands-on case management to help residents enroll in existing programs that will lower their bills.

The program has increased enrollment, rebuilt trust and provided real savings for families who need it most.

Helping Young Men Find Healthy Forms of Belonging

Social media is pulling many young men toward isolation and grievance. LinkUp Lab, a partnership between Equimundo and Futures Without Violence, is working to steer them toward healthier forms of connection and belonging by developing innovative approaches to meet young men where they spend time online.

Its approach is to "invite, don't indict," which is about welcoming and engaging young men rather than shaming them, and encouraging them to see the benefits of listening, curiosity and care for others.

LinkUp Lab’s innovations are yielding positive results, including reducing toxicity in online communities and reaching thousands of participants with positive messaging and educational content.

Leaders Unite to Strengthen Atlanta's Westside Workforce Pathways

Earlier this month, the Westside Workforce Convening brought together leaders in workforce development to support residents of Atlanta’s Westside, specifically in the English Avenue and Vine City neighborhoods. More than 30 grantees, partners and residents gathered for a day of reflection, dialogue and fellowship.

Participants in the convening represent all aspects of workforce development programming, including career training and coaching, job placement, financial education and more, which provided an opportunity to gain a holistic view of successes, challenges and opportunities for innovation. These leaders identified areas where continued investment and creative solutions are needed, including accelerated career training programs, flexible pathways for career advancement and expanded opportunities for seasoned professionals.

The conversation continued during the From Conversation to Action: Building Workforce Pathways on the Westside presentation, which was part of Westside Future Fund’s monthly Transform Westside Summit. Presenters and attendees left both events encouraged by the progress being made and committed to working together to advance economic mobility across Atlanta’s Westside.

Special thanks to our partners:

·     Host: Atlanta Technical College

·     Catering: Cafe Momentum

·     Moderator: Darnell Cadette of DKC Consulting

(from L - R): Mary Mazzio, Arthur M. Blank, Amy Baltzell and T.A. McCann

Championing Women in Sports Through an Underdog Story on the High Seas

Arthur M. Blank and the Blank Family Foundation partnered with Olympic rower and award-winning filmmaker Mary Mazzio to help bring Mighty Mary to life. Narrated by Elizabeth Banks and Hugh Jackman, the film chronicles the groundbreaking story of the first all-women’s sailing team to contend for the America’s Cup, one of the world’s most elite sporting competitions that has been dominated by white male athletes for most of its 175-year history. The film depicts the inspiring story of a team that redefined what is possible in a sport long closed to women.

The film’s message aligns with the Blank Family of Businesses’ (BFOB) broader commitment to expand opportunities for women in sports, which is evident in the recent additions of a National Women’s Soccer League team and a Women’s Team Golf League to the BFOB portfolio. Reflecting on those investments, Arthur Blank said, “We want to give these women athletes an opportunity to showcase their talent and be a part of that.”

One Year on the Road With Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening

A year ago, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University launched its mobile prostate cancer screening program, bringing no-cost PSA blood tests directly to communities across Georgia.

In its first year, the program held 149 community screening events across 45 zip codes and screened 2,546 men.

Of those, 377 were identified with an elevated PSA, and 40 have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, which means they can now get the care they need.

We're proud to support this work alongside Winship and Mount Sinai Health System, and we look forward to seeing the program keep bringing screening closer to the communities that need it most.