What do nonprofit groups working with underserved communities in Georgia need to succeed? Working with Heifer International and the Georgia Legal Services Program, the GCLF convened a gathering of nonprofits from across Georgia in Americus on June 24, 2009 to explore this question. Representatives from twelve nonprofits from across Georgia participated in the gathering, which took place at Koinonia Partners Farm, a historic community that has been challenging racism and promoting peace since its founding in 1942. Koinonia was the birthplace of many important service organizations, including Habitat for Humanity International, the Fuller Center for Housing, Jubilee Partners, and the Georgia Peace and Justice Coalition, among others.
Participating organizations:
- Athens Land Trust, Athens
- Colquitt Miller Arts Council, Colquitt
- Committee for Simmon Hill, Dixie
- East Baker Historical Society, Newton
- James C. Barnes Community Development Corporation, Dawson
- Koinonia Partners, Americus
- McIntosh Sustainable Environment and Economic Development, Darien
- Newtown Florist Club, Gainesville
- Old River Road Association, Darien
- Sapelo Island Cultural and Revitalization Society, Sapelo Island
- Southeast Georgia Communities Project, Lyons
Other participating organizations unable to attend the inaugural gathering:
These groups focus on a diversity of issues, including the arts, education, oral history, housing, health care, agriculture, economic development, environmental justice, and advocacy and empowerment for farm workers.
Participants in the gathering shared information about resources and needs. One theme that emerged was a sense of isolation, as many of the groups work in rural areas and were not aware that other groups were facing similar issues and problems.
The participating groups agreed to create a network to share information, resources, and solutions, and to start to build a common marketing strategy that might allow them to better attract the attention of funders.
