Building Hope Campaign 2016

For more than 30 years, CAC has helped families and individuals during their time of need when faced with financial challenges due to loss of income and unexpected expenses that put them as risk of losing their homes. As our cities grew and community needs increased, it became apparent that CAC’s 1130 Hightower Trail facility (purchased in 2004) was no longer sufficient to operate and grow vital programs.

CAC recognized the need to serve more. Approximately 40,000 of the 150,000 residents (26%) in CAC’s service area have family incomes of $45,000 or less, according to U.S. Census data. In 2016, CAC served 5,500 individuals and 80 percent of those clients live on $20,000 or less.

Under the leadership of CAC’s Board of Directors and guidance of the organizations 2020 Strategic Plan, CAC embarked on a three-year, $2.4 million Building Hope Campaign for expansion to support 45 percent more people in need. Expansion would provide greater accessibility to those living in poverty, and enhance services designed to help clients lift themselves out of the cycle of poverty.

In December 2018, CAC met its $2.4M goal six months early thanks to a very generous $300,000 challenge grant issue in May 2018 to inspire new gifts and “cap off” gifts from early donors. The success of the Building Hope Campaign has positioned CAC to reach many more families and individuals throughout its service area of Sandy Springs and Dunwoody and enhance and add services designed to help clients lift themselves out of the cycle of poverty. Specifically, this very important initiative allowed CAC to:

• Purchase and renovate an additional building at 8607 Roswell Road in north Sandy Springs.
  
• Expand the CAC Thrift Boutique operations to provide more free and low cost goods (clothing, household items and furniture) to clients while growing earned income from sales to the public  to support operations and program.
• Expand Food Pantry operations and key partnerships with the Atlanta Community Food Bank and Second Helpings Atlanta to serve 45 percent more in the next 5 years.
• Improve access to those living in south Sandy Springs with the addition of a new satellite office.
  
• Expand the Adult Education program with additional class room space which was vacated by the thrift shop move from Hightower Trail.
• In 2019, CAC plans to establish a new Career Center and build a Job Connections program with local area businesses which will promote self-sufficiency by offering a path to income grow and greater financial stability.
• In 2019, CAC plans to improve access to Dunwoody residents with the addition of a new satellite office in Dunwoody.
  

Strong Community Support

From a strong start in 2016 with significant contributions from the CAC board of directors and volunteers in the amount of $638,191 to our most recent generous Georgia Power Foundation grant of $25,000, CAC’s campaign received broad based community support. Gifts from individuals, foundations, business and congregations ranged in size from $10 to $300,000.

Milestones in the Campaign

Georgia Power Area Manager Jeff Petrea (center) presents a check to Pam Jones, left, and Tamara Carrera of CAC.

January 2019: The Georgia Power Foundation “powered” CAC’s fundraising past its $2.4M goal with a generous $25,000 grant!

December 2018: Challenge match was met securing the Building Hope Campaign goal of $2.4M!

June 2018: At the $1.8 Million mark, a new donor issued a challenge to CAC to raise $300,000 and they would match it with a $300,000 grant to bring us to our goal of $2.4 Million!

May 1, 2018: Building Dedication, Ribbon Cutting and Open House

August 16, 2017: CAC Sledgehammer Ceremony Honors Donors of Building Hope Campaign, Kicks Off Building Renovations

June 2016: CAC Building Hope Campaign initiated.

Thank you everyone who donated to the Building Hope Campaign: