October 17, 2012
Clare Morton, 404-413-7083
World Affairs Council of Atlanta
ATLANTA – The World Affairs Council of Atlanta received a $50,000 grant from The UPS Foundation, which governs corporate citizenship and philanthropic programs for UPS (NYSE:UPS). The grant will be used to support the operations of the council, which was founded in 2010 and is affiliated with Georgia State University, the J. Mack Robinson College of Business, and the World Affairs Councils of America.
The ongoing support of The UPS Foundation has been critical to the growth of the council, which in two years has been able to grow into one of the top 15 World Affairs Councils in the country. With the support of The UPS Foundation, it is on course by the end of 2013 to be one of the top 10 councils in the national system of nearly 100 locally affiliated World Affairs Councils.
The World Affairs Council of Atlanta, a nonpartisan, membership organization, is dedicated to providing experiences for its members that will enhance their understanding of the world in which we live — locally, nationally and globally. The mission of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta is to provide a forum for dialogue, a source of expertise, and an engine for research on international affairs and global issues that impact Atlanta’s corporate, governmental and nongovernmental organizations, and the wider community. The council maintains close relationships with corporate leaders, government officials, the diplomatic corps and relevant international organizations, and contributes to the community by providing access to high-profile American and international leaders such as Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga; Muhtar Kent, chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company; Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of State; and Helene Gayle, president and CEO of CARE USA.
Commenting on the grant, Dennis P. Lockhart, chairman of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta, said: “The council is again this year very honored to receive this major grant from The UPS Foundation. Their continuing support is essential as we build the premier World Affairs Council in the country — one that provides unique experiences and leads in the building of Atlanta as an international city.”
Established in 1951 and based in Atlanta, Ga., The UPS Foundation identifies specific areas where its backing clearly impacts social issues. In support of this strategic approach, The UPS Foundation has identified the following focus areas for giving: volunteerism, encouraging diversity, community safety and environmental sustainability.
In 2011, The UPS Foundation distributed more than $45.3 million worldwide through grants that benefit organizations or programs such as the World Affairs Council of Atlanta and provide support for building stronger communities.
“The UPS Foundation is honored to support the World Affairs Council of Atlanta’s efforts to strengthen global expertise and contribute to the economic development of Atlanta,” said Eduardo Martinez, president of The UPS Foundation. “Our goal is to fund powerful programs that make a lasting difference to the global community.”
The largest business school in the South and part of a major research institution, Georgia State University's J. Mack Robinson College of Business has 200 faculty, 8,000 students and 80,000 alumni. With programs on five continents and students from 88 countries, the college is world-class and worldwide. Its part-time MBA is ranked among the best by the Aspen Institute, Bloomberg Businessweek and U.S. News & World Report, and its Executive MBA is on the Financial Times list of the world's premier programs. Located in Atlanta, the Robinson College and Georgia State have produced more of Georgia's top executives with graduate degrees than any other school in the Southeast.