5 Questions with Betsy Covington, executive director for the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley
When people ask you to explain how the community foundation works, what do you tell them?
A colleague explains it that we’re here to create “raging philanthropists!” We help people support the charitable issues they care about in ways that are easy, flexible and effective -- during their lifetimes or through successive generations. People establish funds here by contributing almost any asset and getting a tax deduction, then recommend grants (in their name if they choose) to nonprofits they want to support. Folks can also give to existing endowed funds here for organizations like the symphony, the House of Mercy and the library or to the Community Endowment Fund that helps meet community needs now and into the future.
The size of our endowed pool, roughly $84 million, creates an economy of scale that benefits everyone; it’s sort of our area’s own community chest.
I’m always saying: People don’t give to the Community Foundation, they give through us.
We’re a venue for people who want to make a difference.
How has the economic downturn put pressure on local causes and organizations that depend on charitable giving?
There’s no question that charities feel the pinch. Contributors are more careful, prioritizing donations in terms of what matters most to them. And, of course, social service organizations’ needs have increased as there’s more demand for their services. But it’s important to remember that we live in an incredibly generous community of people who are genuinely committed to making this an ever-better place to live. The grants out from our donor advised funds have actually soared in the last two years -- from $5 million in 2009 to over $8 million in each of the last two years -- as our donors have responded to greater need with greater generosity.
As a lifelong Columbus resident, how has the community changed over the years?
Well, I keep reminding myself that I’ve changed, too, since I moved here at age 8! But I’ve seen enormous transformation in the opportunities to enjoy things like an arts event or an evening in an interesting restaurant. It’s like there’s a richness developing in the community fabric. I also love the diversity of people who now have “a place at the table.” The challenge we all face is how to create ways to welcome those new voices and recognize that each of us has something important to say about how to build the community we want for our next generations.
You were heavily involved with the local Honor Flight program to take World War II veterans to the memorial in Washington, D.C. What is your favorite memory from that experience?
It’s definitely climbing off the planes at night at the Columbus airport, at the end of a very long day, and watching veterans’ faces light up as they realized that hundreds and hundreds of cheering people were jammed into the terminal, waving flags and banners, to welcome them home. They just couldn’t believe that people had turned out for them! I was so incredibly proud that my community recognized how much we owe these people and acted on that gratitude. Of course, it’s important to remember how much we owe everyone who serves to keep us safe.
What is the best kept secret in Columbus that you don’t mind others knowing about?
At the risk of sounding self-serving, it’s what people can do through the Community Foundation. Since 1998, people have contributed more than $128 million here. We’ve given away $52 million in charitable grants. But instead of the $76 million you’d expect us to have left, our investing has grown our current assets to $88 million -- while we’ve funded a professional staff and office for 13 years! What you have here is a powerful tool “for good, forever” and I’m incredibly honored to be a part of it.
This story was originally published November 7, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "5 Questions with Betsy Covington, executive director for the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley."