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Community Foundations are the fastest growing sector
of American philanthropy. A Community
Foundation is a collection of funds contributed by
individual citizens, families, community businesses
and other charitable organizations to benefit a
specific geographical area. Established in
1995 by community leaders, the Community Foundation
of Southeast Alabama (CFSEA) serves the five-county
Wiregrass region of Henry, Houston, Coffee, Dale and
Geneva counties.
In 1995, a volunteer Board of Directors representing
a cross section of community leaders formed The
Community Foundation of Southeast Alabama. The
Foundation is recognized by the Internal Revenue
Service as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public
charity. Therefore, gifts given to the
Community Foundation are deductible to the fullest
extent allowed by law.
The central role of a Community Foundation is
making grants to non-profit organizations. Our
primary mission is endowment development. Whether
it consists of restricted or unrestricted funds, an
endowment offers many advantages, ensuring the
constant flow of money for grant making. The
Community Foundation is a community investment tool
for donors who want to make a difference that does
not change with the passing of time.
- To be a catalyst for the establishment of
endowments to benefit our area for generations
to come;
- To provide leadership and resources in
identifying and meeting area needs;
- To serve the varied interests and needs of
donors;
- To promote local philanthropy;
- To serve as a steward of funds.
- Attracting permanent charitable endowment
funds dedicated to improving the quality of life
in the Southeast Alabama community.
- Investing them to generate both financial
support for community projects and to preserve
and enhance their real, inflation adjusted
value.
- Distributing income and/or principle from
these funds in accordance with the specific
charitable interest of the donor, in the name of
the donor, or anonymously.
- Identifying pressing community needs and
collaborating with other local and national
funding sources to address them.
The individual funds of CFSEA range in size but
the donors who established these funds shared a
common desire to give and create a better future for
our community. Grants from these funds address
a wide variety of needs in the five-county Wiregrass
area:
- Arts, culture and the humanities
- Quality of life
- Health and Human services
- Environment
- Economic development
- Education
- Religion
Most important, the Community Foundation of
Southeast Alabama is a growing, permanent fund
benefiting our community today and for many
tomorrows to come.
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