The Coca-Cola Foundation Seeks Bids for Summer Youth Activity and Nutrition Education Programs in the State of Alabama

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Coca-Cola Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company, today announced a pilot Request for Proposal (RFP) grant process designed to get Alabama’s youth up and moving this summer. Selected programs will be awarded grants between $10,000 and $25,000 each.

“At The Coca-Cola Company, we are committed to improving the quality of life in the communities where we do business”

The RFP seeks proposals from nonprofit organizations that are working to change the behavior of sedentary youth between the ages of 12 and 18. The program must include an element of nutritional education, and must be in operation at least four weeks between June 1, 2009 and September 30, 2009.

“At The Coca-Cola Company, we are committed to improving the quality of life in the communities where we do business,” said Ingrid Saunders Jones, chair of The Coca-Cola Foundation. “We have a long tradition of supporting physical activity and nutrition education programs around the world. Our goal is to make a positive difference in the lives of Alabama’s youth by helping to address declining daily physical activity.”

Encouraging healthy active lifestyles is one of the Foundation’s global community investment priorities, along with support for water stewardship programs, community recycling projects and education initiatives. The RFP grant process, a commonly used tool within the philanthropic community, will ensure the Foundation receives proposals strategically aligned with this priority area.

The Coca-Cola Foundation’s Active Healthy Living Program RFP seeks US-based organizations with a tax-exempt status under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code, to submit proposals by Friday, April 17, 2009 that:

• Provide access to physical activity through a summer program targeting youth, ages 12 – 18, in the state of Alabama;
• Include an element of nutritional education;
• Include a four week program between June 1, 2009 and September 30, 2009; and
• Have clear, defined measurable results.

Exclusions:

• Sponsorships of tours or races;
• Sponsorships of organized sport teams;
• Requests for capital campaign support; and
• Seed funds to start an organization.

In 2008, The Coca-Cola Company and The Coca-Cola Foundation contributed more than $82 million to sustainable community initiatives worldwide, of which $6.7 million or 18 percent was directed to innovative physical activity and nutrition education programs, ranging from the restoration of walking trails and biking paths through the National Park Foundation to support for The Great Fun2Run Program, a curriculum-based program in England that guides teachers, students and their families on the benefits of healthier active lifestyles.

To apply for a grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation, please complete the application at: http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/citizenship/foundation_guidelines_rfp.html.

Notification to grant recipients will take place by May 22, 2009.

About The Coca-Cola Foundation

The Coca-Cola Foundation has contributed more than $265 million to help build sustainable communities worldwide through initiatives that are focused on water stewardship, active healthy living, community recycling, education, arts and culture and civic affairs. For more information about The Coca-Cola Foundation, please go to

http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/citizenship/foundation_coke.html.