Okefenokee Swamp Park was among a dozen recipients of a 2025 McDonald’s Golden Grant.
The park received one of the five $1,000 awards presented in the South Georgia and North Florida area, the company announced last week. All total, $45,000 was presented in this year’s program, the largest being two of $10,000.
Like Okefenokee, the other recipients were organizations that fuel local youth's imagination, education, and growth and positively impact the lives of hundreds of area children.
“It's a privilege to support the McDonald's Golden Grants program, which, now in its fifth year, provides crucial support to educators and non-profit leaders in select parts of the Southeast,”said McDonald’s Owner/Operator Will Garcia. “We’re truly making a big difference right here in our local communities.”
The grants were presented based on creativity, innovation, need, and handson application of projects.
Seven of the dozen awards went to organizations in Georgia, among them two in Valdosta and Savannah, and others in Macon and Ludowici.
The Daily Food Pantry in Savannah received one of the two $10k grants with the other going to Autism Programs at Eneray in St. Augustine.
Activities that qualify for a McDonald’s Golden Grant include student homelessness support, supply needs, technology programs, mentorship and empowerment programs, after-school programs, arts and music programs, community service outreach, sporting programs, and other education initiatives.
The Golden Grant program will reopen for next year’s awards in June with applications available at mcdgoldengrants.com.
