The Community Foundation of West Georgia and the Alice Huffard Richards Fund are partnering in a group of investments supporting local nonprofit projects, representing many of the interests Mrs. Richards championed in her lifetime.

“Mrs. Richards was an outstanding philanthropist and volunteer leader in Carrollton for more than 50 years.  To further her philanthropic efforts, the Alice Huffard Richards Fund’s mission is to focus exclusively on educational and environmental causes primarily in the Carroll County area,” P.J. Younglove Hovey, chair of the Community Foundation, said.  “These funds have been carefully structured to provide operating assistance, endowment opportunities and community challenge provisions for five fields of interest which reflect her wishes.”

These investments in the nonprofit life of the region are a result of a close collaboration between the Alice Huff Richards fund advisors and the Community Foundation of West Georgia.  They are designed to fund the projects which reflect Mrs. Richards’ interests, the mission of the Community Foundation and the needs of the people of West Georgia.

The five areas to be funded are:
Carrollton Greenbelt Project - The Fund has approved an investment of $1 million, contingent upon successful completion of Phase 1 of the Greenbelt Project and that construction of Phase II is imminent.  The Community Foundation will encourage leveraging of this gift to obtain additional money for the project.  The Carrollton Greenbelt Project will create a multiuse path around the city.  Its first phase, a 12-foot-wide paved trail, will tie the waterfall on Hays Mill Creek to the city school property and should be finished this year.  When complete, the Greenbelt will be a 13-mile circle around Carrollton connecting schools, commercial areas and neighborhoods.

Georgia Agricultural Land Trust - The Fund will make an investment of $66,000 per year for five years, contingent upon annual submission and approval of grant review details and budget.  The purpose of the Georgia Agricultural Land Trust is to permanently and voluntarily protect agricultural land and the productivity of the soil.  It works to protect natural, scenic, recreational, agricultural, historic or cultural property and to preserve open land.

St. Margaret’s Community Outreach – The Fund will grant a one-time gift of $25,000 for operational and programmatic expenses.  St. Margaret’s Community Outreach is a ministry of support and assistance to the poor, the disadvantaged, disenfranchised, and disabled of the community without regard for race, gender, color, creed, or national origin. Programs include Homework Helper, a free after-school program helping children through tutorials; Paper Pantry, addressing the personal hygiene needs of the poor or disabled; Families in Crisis, a comprehensive, long-term commitment to families in dire need; and general assistance, including prison ministries, housing and emergency shelter, assistance with utilities, food, clothing, health care/medication, transportation/gasoline, and counseling.

Kids Peace – The Fund will distribute a one-time gift of $400,000, which will be used for a new recreational facility at the Bowdon campus.  KidsPeace is a private charity dedicated to serving the behavioral and mental health needs of children, preadolescents and teens.

Arts Enrichment for Our Children – The Fund will establish a field of interest fund for this project with a restricted endowment of $600,000.  This will support quality arts performances and experiences, which will encourage young people’s capacity to create, understand and build the future. A panel of local educators, arts advocates and community leaders will evaluate opportunities. The anchor for the program will be the Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatre for Young Audiences.  This fund will pay out a percentage annually with a 50 percent community challenge requirement.

University of West Georgia IMPACT Program – The Fund will grant $100,000 for one year to the IMPACT (Improving Motivation, Performance and Attitudes of Children and Teachers) for Science and Mathematics program.  UWG's scientists and undergraduate students will offer innovative weekend and summer programs for elementary and middle school children. UWG faculty will use their experience working with teachers to develop pre-assembled science/math activity kits relevant to grade-related science/math content.

Community Foundation of West Georgia – The fund will grant $50,000 to the Foundation for strategic planning and operational costs.  The Community Foundation has been ranked among Georgia’s 10 largest community foundations and has total assets of $21.5 million.  In 2007, the Foundation made grants of $895,000, including $310,000 to 28 local nonprofit organizations in Carroll, Haralson and Heard counties from the Community Impact Fund.