Barnesville-Lamar Community Foundation
On December 7, 2006, a group of interested local citizens met at the Barnesville-Lamar County Library to learn about the possibility of establishing a community foundation for Lamar County. Following that meeting, an interim board of directors was named and a foundation formation committee and a nominating committee were established. After several meetings the following founding directors and officers were elected: Joe Edwards (Chair), Jeff Manley (Vice Chair), Cheryl Idol (Secretary), Jim Granum (Treasurer), Bruce Akins, Andy Bush, Mike Brutz, Paulette Bunn, Bill Dayton, Noel Riggins, and Bert Wall.
The new Board approved its status of an affiliate foundation of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia and a start-up grant of $10,000 for BLCF. Affiliating with CFCG was a win-win opportunity. BLCF was able to begin accepting tax-deductible donations immediately, and CFCG provided expertise, managerial assistance, accounting, and fund management services.
Our government recognizes that community foundations are remarkable forces for the common good. Therefore, Congress established the most favorable tax incentives for community foundations that encourage citizens to use a portion of their assets for the building of permanent endowments. The Barnesville-Lamar Community Foundation was created to serve this purpose as well.
Joe Edwards said, “All Lamar County citizens share a common interest. We want our schools, churches, governmental entities, civic charities, and the community we call home to be the best they can be. BLCF has the potential through its grants to encourage and enhance local charitable entities to make Lamar County a better place to live and work. It will not happen over night, but with community support over the years, BLCF can make a real difference. Many longer term residents, like me, feel a deep obligation to give back to the community that helped us over the years. Many newcomers to our area will hopefully sense a need to contribute to an entity that can make their new home a better community. BLCF will provide a tax advantaged opportunity for these contributions.”
For more information on making a difference in our community and donating to the Barnesville-Lamar Community Foundation, please contact a member of the BLCF Board of Directors or the Foundation's office at 1-866-750-9338.