The Sandy Springs Society awarded $382,000 in grants to 44 nonprofit organizations that operate in the city during its annual meeting on May 20.
Since its founding in 1988, the nonprofit service organization has given away $5.4 million in donations to local organizations.
Lisa Ford, vice president of fundraising for the club, said 33 percent of the Sandy Springs Society’s members, or 106 people, made donations or sponsorships this year, an increase from 29 percent the previous year. Those donations and sponsorships were 88 percent of the contributions.
Sponsorships brought in $146,839.
“Not only are you out there working on TOT (Tossed Out Treasures), and Elegant Elf, and Mystery Masterpiece, and behind the scenes, you’re putting your money towards what we do, and you understand the mission,” Ford said.
Vice President of Finance Janet Quirk said $20,000 of the grant funds came from member dues. Another $580 came through Sunshine Fund donations, and $2,200 was available because of a partial return of a grant from last year. Cookbook sales raised another $175.
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The organization’s endowment contribution was $9,191, and interest income added another $2,800, Quirk said.
Fundraisers brought in the bulk of the philanthropic funds:
- Elegant Elf – $46,874
- Tossed Out Treasures – $123,179
- Mystery Masterpieces – $16,000
Robertson handed out the president’s discretionary grant of $1,000, which she awarded to the Georgia Ensemble Theatre. The theatre relocated to Sandy Springs at Act3 after the city of Roswell ended its 30-year run as the resident professional theater company at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center.
Robertson named Kathy Ray as the society’s Spirit of Sandy Springs honoree, and given a $1,000 check that could go to a charity of her choice. Ray chose LaAmistad, which prepares Latino students and families for success through academic and life enrichment programs. Robertson said Ray has been an active volunteer, teaching students at LaAmistad. She pioneered the Friends Program at Lake Forest Elementary School, matching community members to work with teachers at individual classrooms. The Fulton County School District has replicated her model at other schools.
In other news, outgoing president Beth Robertson passed the gavel to Sana Thomas.
Philanthropy Grants Awarded 2025
Artportunity Knocks – $5,000 Scholarships for STEAM Camp program for Sandy Springs Middle School Students
Art Sandy Springs – $5,000 Pottery wheels and worktable attachments
Backpack Buddies – $9,000 Weekend food for food insecure kids
Be THE Voice – $5,200 Student-led Anti-bullying program for Sandy Springs Middle School Students
C5 Georgia Youth Foundation – $2,500 The Road to College/College Readiness Program for Sandy Springs Students
Campbell-Stone North Apartments, Inc. – $10,000 Financial assistance for in need residents living alone requiring home care
Camp Kudzu, Inc. – $5,000 Camp scholarships for Type 1 diabetic Sandy Springs students
Children’s Development Academy – $15,000 Scholarships for low-income Sandy Springs Children to attend preschool
City Springs Theatre Company – $15,000 Student matinee series for Sandy Springs Students
Community Assistance Center – $15,000 Walk-in refrigerator
Djoli Kelen Inc. – $2,260 Supporting annual Black History Month celebration
The Drake House – $6,500 Career services program for homeless women with children
Dunwoody Nature Center – $2,600 Assisting three schools to develop their own milkweed gardens, preserving monarch butterflies
Environment Sandy Springs – $5,000 Removing invasive plants and planting native plants at Old Riverside Park
Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb – $12,000 Freedom to Work and Thrive project
Friends of the Dorothy Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex – $10,000 Improvements to outside courtyard
Georgia Ensemble Theatre at Act3 Playhouse – $10,500 Lighting, building improvements, bottle filling station and storage unit
GiGi’s Playhouse Atlanta – $10,000 Therapeutic support and equipment for people with Down syndrome
The Good Samaritan Health Center of Gwinnett – $7,040 Rolling kiosks and iPads Providing Translation Services Utilized by Uninsured Sandy Springs residents
Healthy Youth USA Foundation – $2,500 Scholarships for summer camp for Sandy Springs Elementary Students
Horizons Atlanta at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School – $15,500 Transportation for Summer Enrichment Camp
Keep North Fulton Beautiful – $5,200 Awning for baler, improved fencing & lighting & container bags
LaAmistad, Inc – $7,500 Adult English for Successful Living (ESL) program
Leadership Perimeter – $2,000 Supporting Youth Leadership Sandy Springs program
Lion Pride/Lake Forest Elementary PTA – $10,000 Tutoring for fourth and fifth graders struggling with reading, ineligible for intervention or Special Education services
Los Niños Primero – $17,500 Transportation for year-round programs for Latino students in Sandy Springs
Mary Hall Freedom Village, Inc. – $10,000 Freedom Academy providing training & employment skills
Mr. Tom’s Heart – $4,000 Transportation expenses for volunteer services
Prevent Blindness Georgia – $10,000 Vision screening, comprehensive eye exams and glasses for first, third & fifth graders in Sandy Springs
Revved Up Kids – $4,600 Training about sexual abuse & trafficking for kids and adults in Sandy Springs
Riverwood ICS Band and Orchestra Boosters, Inc – $11,500 Cellos, percussion instruments, keyboard, synth cart & clinicians providing additional instruction
Sandy Springs Charter Middle School PTO Foundation – $5,000 Mini Grants Program for Eligible Teachers & Staff to Make Classroom and Learning Enhancements
Sandy Springs Civic Roundtable – $5,100 Updating Springboard website & improving marketing and public awareness
Sandy Springs Conservancy – $6,000 Replacement of foot bridge at Morgan Falls Overlook Park
Sandy Springs Education Force – $17,000 After-School All-Stars enrichment program at Sandy Springs Middle School
Sandy Springs Mission – $15,000 Language Learning Summer Program enhancing academic and character building skills
Sandy Springs Police Benevolent Fund – $10,000 Assistance for Sandy Springs public safety providers and their families in time of crisis
Second Helpings Atlanta, Inc. – $10,000 Software updates which will help to rescue and distribute fresh surplus food
Senior Services North Fulton – $15,000 Transportation and assistance for seniors going to medical appointments
Ser Familia – $2,500 Mental health services for Latino youth
Solidarity Sandy Springs – $12,000 Culturally focused Thanksgiving bags
Tennis Foundation of America/Sandy Springs Racquet Center – $10,000 Summer Racquet Camp for underserved Sandy Springs Elementary & Middle School students
Trees Atlanta, Inc. – $7,000 Invasive tree and shrub removal & native tree replanting within Crooked Creek Park
Unique Individual Ranch – $2,500 Scholarships for Adaptive Summer Camp for Sandy Springs residents
