A Transformative Investment from Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott to Help Students Overcome Obstacles to Learning 

Communities In Schools of Georgia is honored to announce an unprecedented gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott to the Communities In Schools Georgia Network and National Office.  

In a time when the global pandemic has created unparalleled challenges for students and families, including experiences of social isolation, economic crisis, stress, and trauma, this investment will help CIS of Georgia build sustainable systems of support for the students and families that would otherwise be left behind. This investment in CIS will help students overcome obstacles to learning is tremendous fuel for impact, infrastructure, and the people working inside schools. However, it does not change the reality of the continued work ahead, and the public and private partnership that must remain true. 

“We are filled with gratitude for this investment in the work of Communities In Schools, which will allow us to grow our mission of surrounding students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. These funds will support expansion plans, secure needed staff, and further strengthen the CIS Georgia Network,” said Carol Lewis, state director and CEO of Communities In Schools of Georgia, which currently serves more than 72,000 students in 144 schools throughout the state.   

CIS believes that transformative relationships are key to unlocking a student’s potential. Our school-based staff works inside schools in partnership with teachers and parents to help address the non-academic needs of students CIS coordinates with schools and local service providers to meet the needs of students and families, as well as providing critical resources such as food, housing, healthcare, counseling, access to remote technology, and more so that students (and educators) can focus on academics. By identifying the points of challenge for students in their personal lives, CIS staff helps to empower students to move beyond the barriers they face in the school building and in the community.  

“Today is an important day for students who are underserved, under-resourced, and in need of supports to build a brighter future,” said Rey Saldaña, President and CEO of Communities In Schools. “This unrestricted gift allows us to combat the inequities in public education and reimagine the way schools operate and show up for all students. Our national goal is to bring our model inside of every one of the 70,000 Title I-eligible schools in the country; currently, we operate in 3,000 schools – so we still have a long way to go, and we will need ongoing support to get there.”