Today, Healthcare Georgia Foundation announced it has received a $9 million investment from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. This unrestricted donation will allow the Foundation to continue its work to improve and advance the health and well-being of all Georgians.

“We are honored and grateful to receive this donation, and it arrives at a crucial time for Georgians across the state who continue to face systemic barriers gaining access to the services and conditions they need to thrive,” said Foundation President & CEO, Kristy Klein Davis. “Our Board and staff are thrilled to utilize these funds to expand upon our work with communities to advance health equity.”

Healthcare Georgia Foundation is one of the leading voices on health equity in Georgia. Since 1999 the Foundation has partnered with community organizations and civic leaders to ensure that all Georgians can attain their full potential for health and well-being. With a keen focus on the ways racism and geographic factors have created structural barriers to opportunity, the Foundation invests in community-driven solutions that breakdown and redesign more inclusive pathways to health. Most recently the Foundation’s work has focused on maternal health, rural health, and behavioral health.

The Foundation recently wrapped up The Two Georgias Initiative, a five-year rural, place-based strategy that fostered collaboration and innovation in 11 rural Georgia communities, by supporting local coalitions seeking to address health disparities, improve health, and expand access to quality health services. The Initiative tackled issues of health inequities and access to care for rural areas and gave communities a platform to raise awareness of their own local issues. Scott’s donation provides an opportunity to build on that, continuing to foster collaborative conversations that bring Georgians together around the health issues impacting our communities.

“The Foundation is working to meet a wide range of Georgia’s most pressing needs. Our state has one of the highest rates of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity in the nation, rural residents have limited access to needed high-quality healthcare, and many of Georgia’s families are going into debt just trying to manage chronic conditions,” said Dr. Doug Patten, Foundation Board Chair. “These funds will help us elevate conversations and further leverage statewide partnerships that will create a better and healthier future for all Georgians.  We’re grateful to Ms. Scott for investing in us, and thereby investing in Georgia families.”