The Coca-Cola Foundation — the global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company — awarded $26 million in grants to 85 community organizations during the first quarter, including Long Beach’s own California State University (CSULB). The grants support the Foundation’s global priority areas, including: $9.7 million for water stewardship; $3.6 million for fitness and nutrition; $7.4 million for education; and $4.9 million for community recycling, and other local priorities, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, youth development, and civic initiatives.
The grant given to CSULB will benefit 25 students from California who are the first in their immediate family to attend college, United States, $500,000.
This and other grants will make a powerful difference and will benefit:
- 2 million people worldwide with improved access to clean water or sanitation;
- 3.1 billion liters of water will be conserved; 48 tons of debris will be collected;
- 8.9 million people will benefit from increased water conservation and education;
- 2.3 million youth and adults will participate in fitness or nutrition programs; and
- 255,000 students will benefit from education programs; 32,639 will be awarded scholarships; and 169 colleges and other schools will receive grant support.