March 18, 2024, Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition (CGIC), a Savannah area organization focused on improving community well-being by engaging and leading the community to work collectively, has been awarded a $50,000 operational grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.

CGIC will use the grant money to develop an enhanced communication plan leveraging various channels and media outlets to share information about upcoming activities, stakeholder engagement, and community support. 

“We are grateful to the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation for this generous grant, which we will use for our day-to-day operations to foster active engagement and collaboration among local organizations and government agencies to help our community’s well-being,” said Roberts.

The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation 2023 grant portfolio included more than $8 million to direct service providers working in the foundation’s primary geographies of Georgia and Montana, as well as nonprofits such as Coastal Georgia Indicators, which drive influence in community well-being and catalyze collective action through philanthropy. 

Roberts says CGIC will use the funds in specific areas to assess the needs of the Chatham County community to align initiatives with the most pressing issues encompassing economy, education, health and quality of life indicators.

“As our county is slated for substantial industrial growth, building strong community connections is crucial for identifying and addressing shared concerns effectively.” said Roberts. CGIC works with over 120 partners. 

According to data provided by U.S. Census Bureau and Casey Foundation, key areas of interest could include poverty rates, educational attainment levels, health/care access, and environmental quality. Census Bureau data shows Chatham County has a diverse population 52.5% White, 41.3% Black or African American, 7% Hispanic, 3.2% Asian, and 2.5% two or more races, with a mix of urban, suburban and rural areas.

CGIC will also use the funds to evaluate the effectiveness of its programs and initiatives, helping identify areas for improvement.