The Atlanta Business League has received a $1 million grant from The Delta Air Lines Foundation to support its Tradition & Vision Capital Campaign. This significant investment strengthens the organization’s ability to serve entrepreneurs and small businesses across metro Atlanta. The grant marks an important milestone for the Atlanta Business League, one of the nation’s oldest business advocacy organizations. Founded in 1933, ABL has played a longstanding role in supporting business growth, professional development and economic mobility throughout the region. The Delta Air Lines Foundation’s support reinforces the importance of sustained private-sector investment in organizations with deep community roots and a long-term economic development mission.
The Tradition & Vision Capital Campaign is structured around four core initiatives: expanding entrepreneurial training and workforce development programs; modernizing ABL’s headquarters and technology infrastructure; restoring the historic Ashby Street Theater; and preserving the organization’s historical archives and legacy programs.
Campaign leaders say the early investment from Delta provides momentum and helps accelerate the campaign’s broader goals. “We are deeply grateful for this extraordinary commitment from The Delta Air Lines Foundation,” said Shirley Franklin, former mayor of Atlanta and chair of the ABL Tradition & Vision Capital Campaign. “This gift propels us forward and ensures the ABL can continue to serve as a powerful force for economic advancement and community empowerment for generations to come.”
For small business owners in the Atlanta region, the grant signals expanded access to training, modern facilities and collaborative spaces. Planned renovations to ABL’s headquarters include state-of-the-art training rooms, technology-enabled classrooms and updated work environments designed to serve more entrepreneurs and students each year. The upgrades are also expected to improve operational efficiency and expand virtual learning capabilities. “These initiatives will provide direct benefits to small business owners, young leaders, and communities throughout Atlanta,” said Leona Barr-Davenport, president and CEO of the Atlanta Business League. “The Delta Air Lines Foundation’s investment in the early stages of the campaign will serve as a catalyst for others and build momentum in the commitment to inclusive economic growth.”
A central element of the campaign is the restoration of the historic Ashby Street Theater, which will be transformed into a multifunctional space for entrepreneurial training, community gatherings and cultural programming. League leaders view the project as an opportunity to connect business development with cultural preservation and place-based investment.
From Delta’s perspective, the grant reflects a commitment to strengthening local business ecosystems and supporting organizations that contribute to long-term community vitality. “The Delta Air Lines Foundation is honored to support the Atlanta Business League’s visionary work,” said Tad Hutcheson, senior vice president of The Delta Air Lines Foundation. “The Tradition & Vision Capital Campaign is strengthening the ecosystem for entrepreneurs and revitalizing cultural and community assets like the Ashby Street Theater.”
For small firms navigating a competitive and evolving marketplace, the announcement underscores the role of institutions like the Atlanta Business League in providing pathways to growth, leadership development and sustainability. By investing in modern infrastructure, expanded training capacity and historic preservation, the Tradition & Vision Capital Campaign positions ABL to deepen its impact while remaining grounded in its nearly century-long mission.
More information about the Tradition & Vision Capital Campaign is available at www.atlantabusinessleague.org.
