Philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott has given the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga a “transformational gift” of $2.4 million. It’s the largest single contribution in the affiliate’s history.
“For decades our leadership, board, staff and volunteers have worked with limited resources to help make a positive impact on thousands of residents representing communities of color and disadvantaged persons,” says ULGC Board chair Allen Clare. “This gift will give us the leverage we need to sustain our critical work longer term.”
Historically, the local league has not had the capital, assets, reserve or feasibility to own its own space. The organization says it will use this contribution to leverage the initial investments of those who made a commitment to its Reframing Our Future capital campaign, it notes in a news release.
The building will increase capacity to serve more individuals through the Center for Education Workforce and Family Empowerment, the Center for Equity and Inclusive Leadership and the Center for African American Business Success.
“The impact of these dollars will maximize our total investment in our new headquarters,” says Urban League of Greater Chattanooga president and CEO Candy Johnson. “The new facility will modernize our strategy for economic inclusion and be a place where our clients and stakeholders are proud to connect and belong.”
Johnson says the gift will also help the Urban League to accelerate its efforts at the local level to create a more equitable and inclusive Chattanooga.
“We believe Ms. Scott’s gift will continue to shine a light on the nation’s structural and institutional barriers for people of color.”
The new headquarters is located at 401 E Martin Luther King Blvd.
Scott signed The Giving Pledge in 2019 as a promise by the world’s wealthiest individuals and families to dedicate the majority of their wealth to charitable causes.
Source: Urban League of Greater Chattanooga