At the Blank Family of Businesses, our Core Values drive our culture, guide our decisions, and make our organization a great place to work.
Recognize that the well-being of business cannot be separated from the well-being of society. Join in our ongoing efforts to give back through time, talents, labor and financial commitment.
Demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit that supports our culture and vision. Take full advantage of our empowerment philosophy by offering suggestions, making decisions and taking responsibility for actions. Stand up for your convictions and vocalize your opinions.
Constantly seek new ways to improve results and move above and beyond what seems possible. Demonstrate non-stop reinvention. Do not let unnecessary bureaucracy kill innovation. Implement high quality, new processes, products, services, or solutions that meet or exceed the needs and expectations of our customers.
Demonstrate understanding that people are the center, the heartbeat of any successful enterprise. Build rapport and trust by demonstrating sensitivity and respect for others. Empower and listen to associates because they are our number-one source for information and ideas. Invest time and resources in developing associates’ skills and assisting them in managing their careers.
Listen to internal and external customers (fans, grantees, players, associates, vendors, partners) to understand what they need. View customer needs as golden opportunities that, when creatively addressed, will enhance our competitive edge and the environment in which we all work and professionally grow. Dedicate the needed resources, time and energy to creating lasting value for all customers.
Our individual differences make our organization more valuable. Value diverse ideas, experiences, skills, work styles and backgrounds. Harness individual differences to create a competitive advantage and better support our partners. Encourage others to accept and capitalize on diversity.
A renowned entrepreneur and co-founder of The Home Depot, Arthur M. Blank is now recognized for his values-based Blank Family of Businesses (BFOB) and as one of America’s leading philanthropists through the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. All his industry-leading businesses, including the foundation, operate on six core values: Put People First, Listen and Respond, Include Everyone, Innovate Continuously, Lead by Example and Give Back to Others.
After over 25 years and over $1 billion in giving, the foundation has committed to significantly escalating the impact of its philanthropy over the next 10+ years. This milestone coincides with deeper participation among the next generation of Blank family members on the board and in advisory capacities, partnering around their shared core beliefs, including the Jewish value of tikkun olam (“heal and repair the world”) and seeking a fuller realization of American ideals.
The foundation works across various programmatic areas, including Youth Development, Democracy, Environment, Atlanta’s Westside, and Mental Health and Well-Being. The foundation also manages a large portfolio of founder-led initiatives, supporting the causes, institutions and relationships our founder holds dear. Geographically, much of the foundation’s work prioritizes Georgia (with a focus on Atlanta) and Montana, while also considering the potential for greater national impact and influence.