Frequently Asked Questions
Why join?
Lamar Gives 365 is an affordable philanthropy program of the Barnesville-Lamar Community Foundation. You can give $1 per day and participate in the process of making a real impact in Lamar County.
What is the Barnesville-Lamar Community Foundation?
The Barnesville-Lamar Community Foundation is a local center for philanthropy. The Foundation works with individuals, families, corporations, private foundations, and non-profit organizations to carry out their charitable objectives and address emerging community issues. It was founded in 2006 as an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia by a group of citizens interested in encouraging philanthropy and strengthening the community. Our donors make possible the Foundation’s mission to enhance the quality of life for the people of Barnesville and Lamar county. Lamar Gives 365 is just one of the programs of the Barnesville-Lamar Community Foundation.
Who is eligible to join?
Anyone is eligible to join.
What are the membership dues?
There are two membership levels.
1. An annual membership is $365. This can be paid as a one-time gift via check or credit card, or it can be paid in monthly installments of $32 via debit or credit card only. *Couples may share an annual membership ($365). However, there is only one vote per membership.
2. A benefactor gift is $1,000+ and these gifts are placed in the endowment.
Can my spouse and I share a membership?
Couples may share an annual membership ($365). However, there is only one vote per membership.
Where do the membership dues go?
Your membership dues are divided in half. Half of the money goes into a fund that is used to give grants this year. The other half is placed in an endowment fund for the future.
What do you mean by “endowment fund”?
An endowment fund is a permanent charitable account in which the principal is retained and invested. Over time the fund’s balance will grow and it will produce annual income available for grant making.
I already support the charities I care about. Why should I join Lamar Gives 365?
Great! We hope you will continue to do so. Lamar Gives 365 is not a substitute for directly supporting the causes and organizations that are important to you. Lamar Gives 365 is a way to grow the impact of your charitable giving. It is a way to become involved in philanthropy at a level that might not be available to you individually.
Once I join, what are my obligations?
There are no obligations. Members can be as actively involved as they want. For those who are interested, members will be given opportunities to view grant applications, meet with nonprofit organizations, and network with other members who share a common interest.
I am a nonprofit. How do I apply for grants?
There is an online application on the Lamar Gives 365 website that nonprofits can complete. The application deadline is 12:00pm (noon) on November 15th. Grants will be announced within three months of the deadline.
What is the grants process?
Each year, nonprofits can apply for a grant from the Lamar Gives 365 program. After the application deadline, members can volunteer to review the applications. The finalists will present their request at the Grant Finalist Event, and each member can vote on each application. The scores will be averaged and the projects will be ranked according to their average score. Then the members will be able to vote on how to distribute the available funds to the applicants. After the grants are awarded, members can also participate in site visits to see the grants in progress.
What if the grant applicant I voted for is not chosen?
This is a possibility. However, we believe that through the process the membership will be happy with the collective will of the group. There are many needs and deserving nonprofits in our area, and with our members’ help, more of those needs can be met and more nonprofits supported. We also hope that you will learn through this process about issues that you may not have known about – or supported – previously. And finally, in addition to collectively giving, we encourage everyone to directly support the nonprofits they care about.