About us
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF EAST ALABAMA (CFEA) SERVES AS A LOCAL CENTER FOR PHILANTHROPY.
Civic Volunteers helping with the CFEA effort to respond and rebuild following the tornadoes that struck the Beauregard community in March of 2019.
The Community Foundation of East Alabama (CFEA) serves as a local center for philanthropy by working with individuals, families, corporations, private foundations and nonprofit organizations to help them achieve their charitable objectives and address emerging community issues. If there is a need, CFEA is eager and ready to help within our region: Lee, Chambers, Macon, Russell, and Tallapoosa counties.
Donors to CFEA benefit from the Foundation’s combined assets, which greatly reduces investment and administrative fees. Therefore each dollar goes further to help those in need.
CFEA is administered by a governing body of East Alabama citizens committed to building a vibrant community foundation. We are one of more than 900 community foundations in the United States whose assets total roughtly $144 billion. Through the generosity of people in East Alabama, CFEA continues to grow. Through grant making, we look forward to a brighter future by giving back to the many places we call home.
The Community Foundation of East Alabama was incorporated in 2007 as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
WHAT WE DO
The Community Foundation of East Alabama is a public grant-making charitable institutions that administers a number of endowed and non-endowed funds. These funds are contributed by a variety of donors, primarily for local purposes. The Foundation strives to use these resources to support effective nonprofits throughout East Alabama.
In order to support these nonprofit organizations, the Community Foundation distributes grants to assist nonprofit organizations, helping them to carry out programming and address other needs in the community.
OUR HISTORY
In 2001, the Envision Opelika Foundation, Inc., embarked on a planning and action project to improve the quality of life for the residents of their community. The Envision Opelika effort began to envision a broader strategy to improve the quality of life for the larger region of East Alabama. It became evident that there were many challenges facing Auburn, Opelika and the East Alabama region. Therefore, it was decided that a community foundation was needed. Thus, the Community Foundation of East Alabama was incorporated in 2007.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Fred Kam, M.D., Chair
Physician, Auburn University Medical Clinic
Clay Torbert, Vice-Chair
Attorney
Anne Whittelsey
Civic Volunteer
Chris Busby
Chambers County Development Authority
Laurel Buckalew
Insignia Wealth Advisory
George Clay
Retired Alabama State Senator
Darenda Huguley
J. Smith Lanier & Co.
Bill Ham
Former Mayor of Auburn
Vanessa Echols
Retired News Anchor
Clay Lane
Market President, MidSouth Bank
Wil Clowdus
Director of Finance, Highline
Gerry Potter
Glynn Smith Chevrolet GMC
Chante M. Ruffin, M.D.
Pediatrician, Heritage Pediatrics
Joe Turnham
Macon County Economic Development Authority
Shirley Lazenby
Physician
STAFF
Barbara Patton
Interim President
Ben Wilson
Staff Intern
The Community Foundation of East Alabama is a 501(c)3 organization.