Unexpected Surge in Giving by Georgia Foundations
The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta Led Increase
New York, NY — January 18, 2012. Giving by charitable foundations in Georgia grew an unexpected 7 percent in 2009 over the previous year, according to the Foundation Center's Key Facts on Georgia Foundations. This increase occurred despite modest growth in the assets of Georgia foundations and a slight decline in the number of the state's foundations during the same period. Overall giving rose to $874 million for the year, due in large part to a handful of key funders. The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta led all other foundations in the state, with an organization-high $142 million in grants awarded for 2009.
Other key findings of the report include:
- Ninety-five Georgia foundations (6.5 percent) reported more than $1 million in giving for 2009.
- The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation continued to top the list of Georgia foundations by assets, with $2.4 billion.
- The 10 largest foundations by assets accounted for nearly half of total assets for all Georgia foundations.
- While the share of grant dollars awarded in most subject areas held steady, Georgia foundations' giving for arts and culture fell from 10.7 percent the previous year to 6.1 percent in 2009.
Key Facts on Georgia Foundations also includes projections of future giving and funding priorities based on a survey of the state's grantmakers, which was conducted in partnership with the Georgia Grantmakers Alliance and Southeastern Council of Foundations. Two-thirds of respondents said their giving would remain the same through 2011, while 27 percent anticipated some increase in grants awarded. Respondents identified program support, operating support, and capacity building as likely areas of emphasis over the next several years.
Key Facts on Georgia Foundations can be downloaded from the Gain Knowledge area of the Foundation Center's web site.
Cheryl Loe
Communications Project Manager
The Foundation Center
(888) 356-0354 ext. 701
communications@foundationcenter.org
About the Foundation Center
Established in 1956, the Foundation Center is the leading source of information about philanthropy worldwide. Through data, analysis, and training, it connects people who want to change the world to the resources they need to succeed. The Center maintains the most comprehensive database on U.S. and, increasingly, global grantmakers and their grants — a robust, accessible knowledge bank for the sector. It also operates research, education, and training programs designed to advance knowledge of philanthropy at every level. Thousands of people visit the Center's web site each day and are served in its five regional library/learning centers and its network of more than 450 funding information centers located in public libraries, community foundations, and educational institutions nationwide and around the world. For more information, please visit foundationcenter.org or call (212) 620-4230.
About the Southeastern Council of Foundations
Established in 1970, the Southeastern Council of Foundations is a membership association of grantmaking foundations serving eleven Southeastern states. Its mission is to serve, connect, strengthen and champion philanthropy and the philanthropic infrastructure in the South. For more information, visit secf.org or call (404) 524-0911.
About the Georgia Grantmakers Alliance
The Georgia Grantmakers Alliance was formed in partnership with the Southeastern Council of Foundations as a nonpartisan effort to bring Georgia grantmakers of all types together to build stronger statewide connections and explore areas of common interest and concern. For more information, contact Kenita Williams at kenita@secf.org or (404) 524-0911.
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