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. Kathryn Dennis and Joe Timberlake, President and Chair of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia (CFCG), explained how the foundation they lead operates and how they could assist an interested local group in establishing a community foundation. Juanita Jordan, Executive Director of the Peyton Anderson Foundation and the guiding force behind the CFCG since its formation in 1993, also participated in the meeting. Since its formation, the CFCG, a 501c3 public charity, has awarded over $22 million in grants through its endowment funds. As a local center for philanthropy, the Community Foundation of Central Georgia works with individuals, families, corporations, private foundations and not-for-profit organizations to carry out their charitable objectives and address emerging community issues. It is a member of the Council on Foundations and Southeastern Council of Foundations. CFCG was recently recognized by the Council as complying with National Accountability Standards.

Following the December 7th meeting, an interim board of directors was named. They appointed a foundation formation committee and a nominating committee. Members of the formation committee were Mike Brutz, Bill Dayton, and Jim Granum. The nominating committee was composed of Bruce Akin, Bert Wall, and Jeff Manley. 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 first action of the new Board at its January 11th noon meeting was to approve affiliation with CFCG. At an earlier meeting of the CFCG Board on January 11th, its board not only approved the affiliation of BLCF, but also approved a start-up grant of $10,000 for BLCF. BLCF is the third affiliated community foundation for CFCG. The other two are the Community Foundation of Coffee County and the Community Foundation of Fort Valley. Affiliating with CFCG was a win-win opportunity. CFCG enabled BLCF to begin accepting donations immediately.  CFCG will provide expertise, managerial assistance, accounting, and fund management services for a competitive fee.  If BLCF future boards of directors decide to establish an independent local 501c3, the agreements with CFCG will state that the Lamar funds can be transferred to the new entity. 

Our government recognizes that community foundations are remarkable forces for the common good. Therefore, Congress has 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. Community foundations make up one of the fastest growing sectors of philanthropy in the United States today. They build and strengthen communities by making it possible for a wide range of donors to meet critical community needs. There are more than 700 community foundations in the United States that hold approximately $44.8 billion in assets. In 2005, community foundations gave $3.2 billion to a wide variety of charitable organizations, including those that support the arts, education, environmental projects, health and human services, and disaster relief. The Barnesville-Lamar Community Foundation was created to serve this purpose as well.

Joe Edwards commenting on the new community foundation 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 probably 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 Board of Directors. For information on community foundations, the variety of assets accepted, or the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, please call their offices at (478) 750-9338.