Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur M. Blank, along with his Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, has announced a $50 million donation to the HBCUs of Atlanta.

According to the foundation’s announcement, the philanthropic gift aims “to close financial aid gaps that might otherwise prevent students from completing their degrees.”

The foundation’s investment in gap scholarships is designed to overcome the financial barrier, helping more students complete their education. In 2026, the program is projected “to support nearly 10,000 students, helping raise graduation rates across Atlanta’s HBCUs and serve as a model for other philanthropies to expand investment in HBCU student success.”

“These grants are a material investment in hope,” said Fay Twersky, the foundation’s president.

The gift comes from the Blank Foundation’s Founder Initiatives portfolio, including support of essential Atlanta institutions. 

“Atlanta holds a special place in my heart and will always be an integral part of our family foundation’s giving,” Blank said in a statement. 

“We know Spelman, Morris Brown, Morehouse, and Clark Atlanta are vital to Atlanta’s future, and we are deeply committed to supporting the students who will carry that legacy forward. We recognize that these campuses, like many across the country, are home to generations of students whose promise inspires us,” Blank continued. “Our hope is that by helping more students earn their degrees, launch successful careers, and become alumni who give back, we are investing in a cycle of opportunity that benefits young people and their families in Atlanta and communities across the nation for years to come.”

Dr. F. DuBois Bowman, the president of Morehouse College, lauded Blank for his generosity to HBCUs.

“This monumental investment will empower our students to remain focused on their academic studies and ensure that their talent, ambition, hard work, and integrity, not financial hardship, will determine their futures,” said Bowman.