The concept was to provide more economic development and job-training to address longterm poverty in the Athens GA area. For those outside of the Southeast U.S., Athens is also the home of the University of Georgia, and the Georgia Bulldogs. And they are a BIG deal ... especially this year, with the football team ranked #1.
Hmmm... there were and still are several organizations trying to address those needs; is this yet another layer, I wondered. Is a community foundation needed to raise money for these organizations? How will it impact those existing nonprofits and their fundraising? And it seemed to be a bit disorganized, starting with one name in 2007 and changing to the new name in 2008.
Whether it's duplicative or additive, time will tell. In most communities with a community foundation, there seems to be enough donors who prefer to have the foundation evaluate area nonprofits and recommend how the donor's money should be distributed, as well as individuals who make donations directly to the nonprofit organizations.
So now both types of donors are served and, hopefully, expands the capacity to address the community's needs.
This week, Motel Enterprises Inc. announced a cause-marketing program that will provide support to the Athens Area Community Foundation (AACF). There's a guarantee component of $10,000 per year for five years.
The upside potential of this campaign is based on hotel stays at three area hotels during home game weekends. For every room-night, the company will donate $1 to the AACF. The properties (there are three involved) will also encourage guests to make a donation to the AACF.
Since nearly all of those guests spent at least four years in Athens, maybe those college-ties will generate additional income to the AACF.
Sanford Stadium is always filled ... so here's hoping that those alumni are very, very generous!
