About Us

What We Do

Community Foundations are public endowments that administer a number of endowed funds contributed by a variety of donors primarily for local purposes, to solve community or regional problems, and improve the lives of people in a geographic area.

Community Foundations also make strategic grants to assist nonprofit organizations in handling their programs and other special needs in the community.

History of the Foundation

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. In addition to its many accomplishments, 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 with the many challenges and opportunities facing Auburn, Opelika and the east Alabama region, the best approach was to start a community foundation. The Community Foundation of East Alabama was incorporated in 2007.

Board of Directors

All community foundations are overseen by a volunteer board of citizens representative of the community and managed by professionals with expertise in financial planning and advice.

2014 Board of Directors

Staff

Barbara Patton, Secretary/Treasurer
Executive Director