The purpose of the foundation is to promote and facilitate strategic philanthropy by connecting donors with what they care about through charitable giving and by serving as a well-informed and effective grantmaker to meet needs and identify opportunities that improve quality of life and economic well-being of Clarke, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Barrow, Jackson, and Madison counties. The foundation fulfills its mission by encouraging private giving for the public good; providing a flexible and cost effective vehicle for donors with varied charitable interests and abilities to give; helping to enhance the capacity of service delivery providers in the greater Athens area; and serving as a catalyst, convener and partner in shaping effective responses to problems and opportunities of all local communities.