Communities of Coastal Georgia

Community Foundation Hosts Third Annual Founders’ Event

On Thursday, March 25^th, the Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation hosted a reception and presentation for founders, fund holders and friends.  The event, held at the A. W. Jones Heritage Center on St. Simons Island, attracted over 60 supporters, friends, professional advisors, and education and nonprofit professionals.  A report to the community on accomplishments in 2009 was coupled with the launching of an educational initiative…  

 Current board chair, Rees Sumerford, opened the evening’s presentations, and executive director Lee Owen walked the group through major issues that were the community foundation’s reality – indeed, reality for the entire coastal community, in 2009.  Despite the economic situation, area nonprofits stepped up to meet the challenge of doing more with fewer resources, helped by the community foundation’s generous fund holders.  Ninety-five grants were awarded in 2009, representing over one-half million dollars. 78% of those grants remained in Glynn, Camden, and McIntosh counties.

A major effort in both time and resources in 2009 went into the development of a tri-county community needs assessment.  This University of Georgia study, initiated by the community foundation who sought funding partners including local United Ways, Family Connection, and the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, highlighted the public concern over the state of education in coastal Georgia, the alarming dropout rate, and the correlation between lack of education and poverty.  The study provided a solid foundation for discussion around what will be a major focus of community foundation efforts going forward.  The board has decided to concentrate on early childhood education from birth through age five, with the intent to make coastal Georgia children ready to read and ready to success before they enter kindergarten.

The annual event featured guest speaker Linda Lanier, President and CEO of the Jacksonville Children’s Commission, “JAX KIDS.”  One of JAX KIDS’ initiatives is an early childhood literacy program, the result of a successful public/private partnership that has benefited from Jacksonville Community Foundation support.

Ms. Lanier spoke to the importance of quality day care and gave sobering views on why and how many working mothers make day care decisions.  She demonstrated that emphasis “at this end of the education pipeline” through helping center operators achieve certification, connecting their staff with training in literacy promotion and helping to fund it, and providing volunteer readers and learning materials, has major impact in kindergarten readiness and ultimately on high school dropout rates.

The evening ended with the director’s award presentation to Ben Slade for his tireless efforts to promote the community foundation and in recognition of the creative energy he has devoted to this community and its organizations, including the college, CMAP, Habitat for Humanity, Blueprint Brunswick, Boys and Girls Clubs of S. E. Georgia, and the Land Trust.