Whitehead Foundation & United Way of Greater Atlanta Answer Atlanta Mayor’s Challenge with a $4.5M Investment in Early Education
Wednesday, June 8th, 2022
At his first State of the City address, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens pledged $5 million of City funds toward a $20 million goal for early education. He also called fellow Atlantans to action. Today, the United Way of Greater Atlanta and the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation are answering that call as the first funders, committing $4.5 million toward the Mayor’s early learning initiative.
“My goal is to make Atlanta the best place in the country to raise a family, but I cannot do it alone,” said Mayor Dickens. “I am looking for partners that can help move Atlanta forward, together. I am grateful that the Whitehead Foundation and United Way of Greater Atlanta are locking arms with us to invest in early education, particularly in areas of our city that have too long lacked this critical investment. I invite other funders to join our cause.”
Mayor Dickens’ commitment of $5 million is the City’s first-ever direct support of early childhood education.
“The Whitehead Foundation has made high quality early education a priority,” said Foundation President P. Russell Hardin. “We are pleased our Mayor also believes in the paramount importance of early education. The data is clear that wise investment in literacy and early education pays long term dividends for children and our community.”
