Founded in 1956 as a "sister" corporation to the local United Way and reorganized in 1986 as a "community foundation," the Community Foundation is an umbrella philanthropic organization through which individuals, families, businesses and charities support the well being of our community.  The Community Foundation, a nonprofit Georgia corporation is classified as a Section 501(c)(3) public charity by the IRS, invests in solutions to the area's civic, educational, health and human services, religious and cultural challenges.  Typically, more than 250 charitable organizations receive grants from the Community Foundation each year totaling over $7,250,000.