Philanthropy Through The Arts in Forsyth County
In 2005, the sale of the Sawnee Cultural Arts Center in Forsyth County created new opportunities for the arts to impact future generations. The proceeds from the Arts Center sale provided the seed money that formed the Forsyth County Arts Alliance (FCAA), a fund administered by the North Georgia Community Foundation (NGCF). Creativity and vision led to this careful decision to steward the legacy of the Arts Center and support the arts well outside building walls.
The FCAA has promoted year-round art engagement for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations throughout the local community. Every year, FCAA takes a portion of their endowed funds to conduct an annual grants cycle that supports diverse art endeavors and outside-the-box initiatives. As of the Summer of 2021, the FCAA had disbursed over $550,000 in grant awards to local arts organizations, schools, libraries, and other nonprofit or governmental entities. These awards also include endowed scholarships for students majoring in the arts at the University of North Georgia, as well as Lanier Technical College. By stewarding their original gift and additional contributions from art patrons, along with continued community support, the FCAA has ensured that arts of all forms will continue to grow and thrive in Forsyth County for many years to come. |
How a Field of Interest Fund Works:
Identify a specific "field of interest" the fund will support
Establish a grantmaking program to select worthy grant recipients
Approve & distribute grants for organizations working in the identified field of interest
Ready to Establish a Fund?
If you have questions or are ready to get started, contact Michelle Prater at mprater@ngcf.org or 770-535-7880.