"Enlightening Other Foundations to the Importance of Operating Support"

(6-29-10) In a story for The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Brennen Jensen profiles the Atlanta Arts Recovery Initiative, a three-year, $25-million grantmaking program organized by the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund with support from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. The initiative provides general operating support to promising small and mid-sized arts organizations that, in addition to exhibiting financial need, "have strong business plans in place and have enacted sound cost-cutting measures." To encourage meaningful use of the grant money, the initiative funds a "Nonprofit Toolbox" program that provides professional consultants to assist nonprofits with strategic planning, board development, and related organizational needs.

Raye Varney, managing director of grant recipient Theatre in the Square, notes:

In this economy, when arts organizations are bleeding out, to give operating support is just the most useful thing they could have done...To take that money and make payroll is critical. No one else is giving you money that pays things like light bills, and that's what makes this money so important.

Read more here.