Savannah Standard

The City of Savannah has been awarded a $972,000 grant from the SCAD Serve Community Fund, as announced by the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in late February. This grant is part of nearly $2 million distributed to nonprofits and government entities in Savannah and Atlanta this year. The SCAD Serve Community Fund was established with a $10 million allocation in 2024 to support local organizations serving residents and workers in these areas.

The funds allocated to the City of Savannah will be used to enhance public safety measures, focusing on expanding technological capabilities within the city's public safety framework. Mayor Van R. Johnson, II expressed gratitude towards SCAD President Paula Wallace and the institution for their commitment to community welfare through this fund. He stated that "this generous grant will significantly enhance the Savannah Police Department’s citywide technological capabilities," including improved cameras, call boxes, and mapping tools.

City Manager Jay Melder also acknowledged the partnership with SCAD, noting that "these grant funds will provide our law enforcement officers with new tools and capabilities to help keep us safe."

Other recipients of grants from the SCAD Serve Community Fund include America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, which received funding for a mobile grocery store initiative designed by SCAD students. In Atlanta, City of Refuge was granted funds for new computers and software for its Technology Transformation Academy. Greenbriar Children’s Center in Savannah will use their grant to expand their gymnasium into a community center for educational services.