The Mark Spain Foundation was created by Atlanta native Mark Spain to provide charitable investments in the local communities served by Mark Spain Real Estate.

Girl Scout CEO Amy Dosik and four Girl Scouts were on hand to greet Mark Spain at the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Everyone pitched in to unload thousands of boxes from the Girl Scout truck.

“When I heard the story of how Girl Scouts cookie sales were being impacted across the nation, I wanted to get involved in helping these young women get closer to their goals,” explained Chairman and CEO Mark Spain. “The Girl Scout’s cookie sales fund their community outreach programs and allow young women in our communities to be Girl Scouts regardless of their financial or life circumstances.”

Mark Spain founded the foundation in 2016 after realizing one in five families in the local community were on some form of scholarship or financial assistance to access programs for children to grow and be successful. As a father himself, Spain felt it was a personal call to action to make a positive impact. The Mark Spain Foundation prioritizes investing in initiatives that provide kids access to programs to help them grow, stay healthy, learn and be successful.

“Kids can’t control the situation they are born into, and I believe it is my and my team’s responsibility to give back to our communities and make a difference in their lives,” said Spain.

Mark Spain Real Estate and the Mark Spain Foundation like to partner with organizations and causes which are aligned with their vision and conduct service projects to benefit children, families and local communities. The Atlanta-based real estate firm has been involved in dozens of these partnerships, including such organizations as YMCA, the Nashville Rescue Mission, and coordinated several philanthropic efforts with Christian radio station The Fish Atlanta. Mark Spain Real Estate has six offices in metro Atlanta and Athens as well as offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, Nashville, Tampa and Orlando.

One hundred percent of cookie profits stay within the Girl Scout Council. This money is used to fund service projects, troop adventures and camping programs as well as financial aid to thousands of girls so they can be a part of Girl Scouts. While the organization saw a 150% increase of online cookies sales this year, it was not enough to make up for the lack of cookie booths or door-to-door sales due to the pandemic. As of mid-April, the Girl Scout Council had a surplus of some 700,000 boxes.

While the deadline has passed to order Girl Scout cookies online directly, the organization still has the site, www.ShowMeTheCookies.com, active for people to donate cookie purchases to local and state food banks. To learn more about volunteering with the Girl Scouts or to sign up a girl for an area troop, visit girlscoutsatl.org.