$1,000,000 Gift to MTB Atlanta to Benefit Eight Parks Across Metro Atlanta

The Chestnut Family Foundation donated over $1,000,000 to MTB Atlanta to build more than 20 new miles of multi-use trails across eight parks in Metro Atlanta. These funds will also support the development of a new hard surface pump track at Pitner Road Park in Cobb County. All of the projects supported by this grant had been “shovel ready” (in existence) and will now be brought to completion for mountain bikers, runners, and hikers alike to enjoy. The Chestnut Family Foundation is proud to partner with MTB Atlanta! We are excited to help expand the landscape of mountain biking and outdoor recreation in our city and surrounding communities.

 MTB Atlanta manages a trail network of more 160 miles of trails in 29 different parks across Metro Atlanta area. The organization partners with the National Parks Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, Georgia State Parks, and multiple municipalities and counties in the Metro Atlanta area. MTB Atlanta is a membership bases non-profit organization of 450+ members across the metro region. The organization has most recently merged West Georgia SORBA and Gwinnett SORBA under the MTB Atlanta organization. MTB Atlanta has successfully raised more than $1 Million in 2022 through grants, fundraising, memberships, and foundation awards.

Strengthening Our Partnership with the Join Together Society (JTS) America

The Chestnut Family Foundation has donated an additional $900,000 to JTS America. This gift will help fund the reconstruction of a school in Aleppo Province, Syria (a demilitarized zone between Türkiye and Syria). The school had been almost destroyed by the conflict in that area. Once reconstructed, the school will have an enrollment of 3,500 students. Currently classes are being held in tents.

JTS America practices humanitarianism by helping those in need around the globe. Its work includes the provision of practical support to underprivileged communities affected by disasters, and the development of school education in some of the poorest areas of India and the Philippines.

We are humbled to be able to play a small part in supporting JTS’s extraordinary work which provides assistance to communities in desperate need.

$180,000 Gift to the BRAG Dream Team

The Chestnut Family Foundation has made a two-year commitment of $180,000 to the BRAG Dream Team. The donation will support the BRAG Dream Team’s road cycling activities for middle and high school age students and will enable support to the Kids Bike League summer camps in 2024 and 2025 (a program run by the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail). The funding will also support the purchase of a new cargo van and new kits for the 30th anniversary of the BRAG Dream Team.

The BRAG Dream Team program was created in 1994 by the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia (BRAG) to offer Atlanta Public School students the opportunity to get fit by cycling across the state. ​The team has evolved from its origin as an event-oriented program exclusively for Atlanta middle school students, to a year-round cycling program that includes youth from across the state of Georgia. The Team provides mentorship to its participants, broadening their horizons and providing a myriad of learning experiences they might not otherwise have a chance to experience.

We are excited to support the Dream Team’s important programs for youth in our state!

2023 Henry M. Chestnut Scholarship Awarded to Students at Bay High School

The Chestnut Family Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of the 2023 Henry M. Chestnut Scholarship in honor of Mr. Pears at Bay High School. This year, the scholarship was awarded to 20 students who will each receive $2,000 to be used towards their college expenses.

• Paige Katherine, Gulf Coast State College, plans to major in Psychology

• Faith Miller, Florida A&M University, plans to major in Cardiopulmonary Science

• Reagan Harrison, Troy University, plans to major in Communication Disorders and become a Speech Language Pathologist

• Harmony Smith, University of West Florida, plans to major in Business

• Kahlan Gant, Florida A&M University, plans to major in Mechanical Engineering

• Keyarra Hamilton, University of West Florida, plans to major in Psychology

• Lauren Ponds, Gulf Coast State College, plans to major in Graphic Design

• Jayden Calloway, Gulf Coast State College, plans to major in Business (Not pictured above)

• Jaykwon Conerly, Gulf Coast State College, undecided

• Nick De La Cruz, Gulf Coast State College, plans to major in Accounting/Finance

• Gabriella Gonzalez, Pennsylvania State University, plans to major in Diagnostic Medical Sonography

• Jordan Destifino, Gulf Coast State College, plans to major in Social Work

• Jeremy Cayden Sapp, Gulf Coast State College, plans to major in Cybersecurity

• Rickenna McLennon, Gulf Coast State College, plans to major in Health Sciences

• Allie Villegas, University of Florida, plans to major in Pre-Med

• McKenzie Verhines, Gulf Coast State College, plans to major in Sonography

• Maria Bacak, Gulf Coast State College, plans to major in Psychology or Social Work

• Jayshawn Conerly, plans to attend Birmingham Southern, to play football and major in Sports Management

• Jazmira Guzman, plans to attend Nova Southeastern University to major in Sports Management and Public Relations

• Marisha Baker, Florida A&M University, plans to major in pre-law and become a criminal defense attorney

We wish these students the best of luck as they continue their education in college!

You can find more information on the previous scholarship recipients here: 2020, 2021 and 2022.

$150,000 Gift to the Aimee Copeland Foundation

The Chestnut Family Foundation has donated $150,000 to the Aimee Copeland Foundation in support of their All Terrain Georgia initiative. The funding will go towards to the purchase of an all-terrain chair transport vehicle, which can transport up to three chairs, and three new all-terrain chairs for Georgia national parks.  

All Terrain Georgia enables people with mobility impairments to enjoy the nurturing and healing qualities that the vast natural resources of our state has to offer. In partnership with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Aimee Copeland Foundation houses and maintains all-terrain chairs (ATCs) for free rental by eligible users. The ATCs may be used for hiking, hunting, fishing and other outdoor education and recreational events sponsored by the Foundation, the DNR and/or partnering organizations. 

We are proud to support the Aimee Copeland Foundation’s vision of an inclusive Georgia where everyone has the opportunity to live and play in their own community!