Spelman College Receives $16 Million Gift from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation to Support Student Scholarships 

10-year commitment advances Spelman’s Strategic Plan to enhance student access and success

Spelman College is pleased to announce a $16.5 million gift from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation to expand student scholarship support. The funding is part of a broader $50 million, 10-year scholarship commitment from the Blank Foundation to support students at Spelman, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Morris Brown College. 

This investment is dedicated exclusively to scholarships and will provide critical financial aid to Spelman juniors and seniors with the greatest financial need, ensuring they can complete their degrees and pursue their career goals without interruption. The decade-long commitment aligns directly with Goal 2 of Spelman's Strategic Plan, which prioritizes enhancing student access and success. 

“We are profoundly grateful to the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation for this generous $16.5 million gift dedicated to student scholarships,” said Spelman Interim President Rosalind "Roz" Brewer. “This investment is a powerful affirmation of our shared belief that a world-class education should be accessible to all. For nearly 145 years, Spelman College has led the way in preparing our students for the world as they will shape it. As a recognized leader in student access and social mobility, we are committed to empowering every scholar who walks through our doors. This gift is a crucial investment that will significantly expand our ability to bridge the financial gap for students with the greatest financial need.” 

The gift underscores the Blank Foundation’s commitment to educational equity and community uplift and reinforces Spelman's mission to develop leaders who will change the world. 

The announcement comes on the heels of the Blank Foundation's public unveiling on October 13 of its $50 million total investment in Atlanta's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Spelman is profoundly grateful for this partnership and the doors it will open for future generations of Spelman scholars.