In spite of the turbulent economic times of last year, The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and its more than 600 philanthropists gave a record estimated $138.4 million to nonprofits and faith-based organizations. Total gifts to The Community Foundation reached $115.5 million, the Foundation’s third highest year ever. Compare this to the 75 percent drop in funding by the country’s biggest givers, as reported by The Chronicle of Philanthropy this week.
“Our strong performance last year demonstrates the unique ability of community foundations to consistently respond to community needs, even amidst difficult financial times,” says Alicia Philipp, Foundation president. More than 80 percent of grants given by The Community Foundation are through donor-advised funds. These funds allow individuals to contribute money during financially good times and then recommend dollars to nonprofits at a later time.
According to Philipp, many Foundation donors adjusted their giving last year to support organizations hit hardest by the recession. “Even as personal income for charitable giving decreased, our donors continued to give generously, recommending grants from their donor-advised funds here at The Community Foundation at a critical time for nonprofits in our region and the families they serve.”
Total grants by the Foundation in 2009 also included its donation of the King Papers to Morehouse College, valued at approximately $32 million. Similarly, total gifts included the approximately $11.5 million in community support the Foundation received to help pay for this important collection.
Last year was also significant for The Community Foundation’s competitive grantmaking, which focused on providing general operating support to qualified nonprofits. A total of 64 organizations received more than $3.6 million in grants through the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund, the Atlanta AIDS Partnership Fund and The Community Foundation’s Common Good Funds, its largest grantmaking program.
Most recently, the Foundation awarded $800,000 in general operating support to 13 nonprofits through the Common Good Funds. Nonprofits will be able to use these funds as they deem appropriate to support their overall operations and core activities.
- Advocates for Bartow’s Children – $70,000 – Bartow County
- Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation – $45,000 – Fulton County
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta – $30,000 – Fulton County
- Center for the Visually Impaired – $75,000 – Fulton County
- CURE Childhood Cancer, Inc. – $10,000 – DeKalb County
- International Community School, Inc. – $120,000 (two-year grant) – DeKalb County
- Kate’s Club, Inc. – $35,000 – Fulton County
- Latin American Association – $75,000 – DeKalb County
- Moving in the Spirit – $50,000 – Fulton County
- Sheltering Arms – $75,000 – Fulton County
- Theatre in the Square – $53,000 – Cobb County
- Visiting Nurse Hospice Atlanta – $92,000 (two-year grant) – Gwinnett County
- VOX Teen Communications – $70,000 (two-year grant) – Fulton County