Lee County's community based organization, Envision Opelika, announced its latest achievement; the implementation of the Community Foundation
of East Alabama, Inc.
The community foundation is a non-profit charitable organization that dedicates itself to preserving resources in our community for both present and future generations.
"The basis of the foundation is to build funds for philanthropic purposes and non-profit organizations based on identified community needs," said Barbara Patton, a board member. "The board members of the Community Foundation look at many things to identify to needs of the
community. We have done a lot of studies to determine the needs of our community. The needs will be changing, and the community foundation will be here."
The Community Foundation will be able to preserve resources for different types of scholarships including the arts, social philanthropic groups and other organizations.
"We don't have any specific organizations chosen just now," said Dora James, chairperson of the Community Foundation. "We've got follow-ups from Envision Opelika, but we really want a scope of the entire east Alabama, not just Opelika or Auburn."
"The CFEA has brought in guest speakers and board members from other community foundations from around the state to teach the basics and help guide its way through the first steps of getting started," Patton said. "The board has been put together and its goal is to do as mush as possible by December."
James wants people to know the most important thing about the foundation is that it is not in competition with any other established organizations of this type in this area. "We do not look for organizations to help," she said. "Individuals come to us wanting to make donations. It's a way to connect the two ends."
Although the CFEA is what James calls the "final goal" of Envision Opelika, it is more of a giving back part of the organization.
"The foundation has unlimited possibilities for donors," James said. "It's about their own individual vision of what they can do for the community.
Donors can give a certain amount of books each year to
help illiterate children, they can give money to special needs
children to go to special needs camps, or they can sponsor a talented musician who can't afford to pay for certain schools. The type of donation that can be given is not specified, donors may give cash, appreciated stock, real estate, or any other type or asset.
The CFEA allows an easier way for donors to give to organizations such as United Way, The American Red Cross or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by handling all the tax issues. "My brother is a cancer survivor, so I try to donate to cancer research each year," said Jeremiah McCrory, a senior in building science. "I like the fact that the community foundation will give me a chance to make donating much easier."
The CFEA does not, however, use fundraising as a means to raise money, but they will manage fund-raising projects for others who wish to raise money for non-profit philanthropy groups.
If you would like to know more or to become involved,
call the Envision Opelika office at 334-705-5138.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
