As part of the Savannah College of Art and Design’s (SCAD) ongoing commitment to strengthening the communities it calls home, the university announced it has awarded nearly $700,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia, through the SCAD SERVE Community Fund, established by SCAD president and founder Paula Wallace. With more than $2.6 million invested to date, the fund supports organizations addressing critical community needs in the areas of food, shelter, safety, education, and access to essential services, reinforcing SCAD’s 48-year legacy of civic engagement and community impact.

This year's grant recipients include Union Mission, the Atlanta History Center, and the Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless.  Each project integrates design, innovation, and collaboration to deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes that directly benefit local residents. SCAD students developed the designs through SCAD SERVE Design for Good courses, translating their skills and creativity into practical solutions that support community partners and address local needs.

Union Mission received $372,000 to implement student-designed plans for a new 8,200-square-foot Day Center for individuals experiencing homelessness. The project applies a trauma-informed design approach that responds to lived experiences, using interior buildout, furnishings, and an outdoor courtyard to help restore safety, autonomy, and healing, with the center scheduled to open in June. “SCAD continues to make a tremendous impact with its support of innovative and essential initiatives that improve our community. Our efforts to bring a one-stop shop of solutions for our area’s homeless will be another game changer as we partner with people to end their homelessness,” said Michael Traynor, president and CEO of Union Mission.

The Atlanta History Center received $150,000 to implement a student-designed wayfinding and visitor experience system that improves navigation, accessibility, and storytelling across its 33-acre campus.  Installation is planned for this summer to support the center’s landmark 100th anniversary programming and ensure an enriched visitor experience throughout this milestone year. “Working with SCAD was as inspiring as it was fruitful. The students approached our unique challenge with professionalism and creativity, yielding results that exceeded our expectations,” said Pola Changnon, chief content officer of the Atlanta History Center. “As we celebrate our centennial year, we expect the SCAD project will greatly improve our guest experience, enliven our space, and drive discovery for visitors.”

The Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless received $150,000 to install self-service digital kiosks designed by SCAD students that provide real-time, 24/7 access to essential services for individuals experiencing homelessness, with installations planned across Savannah in the second half of this year. “This project shows what’s possible when creativity and compassion are paired with real community needs,” said Jennifer Dulong, CEO and executive director of the Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless. “The care, thoughtfulness, and innovation the students brought to this work were truly impressive. By working directly with people who have experienced homelessness, they created kiosks that restore dignity, remove barriers, and provide around-the-clock access to critical information. The kiosks will make it easier for people in crisis to find help when they need it.”

The SCAD SERVE Community Fund was established in 2024.  Previous awards include support for the City of Savannah for public safety initiatives, Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia to launch a mobile grocery store bringing healthy, affordable food to underserved neighborhoods, and City of Refuge in Atlanta to expand its Tech Transformation Academy.