Community Story

Giving Back Locally and Meaningfully

For Amy and T.J. BeMent, philanthropy has always been personal.

For Amy and T.J. BeMent, philanthropy has always been personal. With backgrounds rooted in service—Amy as a teacher and now attorney, T.J. as a court administrator for more than 25 years—the couple has long sought ways to make a meaningful impact on the Athens community.

Their journey with the Athens Area Community Foundation began about five years ago when Amy was asked by her employer to serve on the board. “I didn’t know much about the Community Foundation at the time, but I quickly learned what a fantastic organization it is,” she says. That excitement inspired the BeMents to establish a donor-advised fund with Athens Area Community Foundation as a strategic way to support local causes they care deeply about.

For T.J., involvement with local organizations stretches back nearly two decades. He remembers, “When I started in Athens about 18 years ago, Judge Steve Jones was serving as a judge, and he was instrumental in One Athens, which eventually became the Athens Area Community Foundation.” Over the years, T.J. has also served as a fund designee, approving grants that support court programs. This has given T.J. firsthand insight into the needs of local nonprofits.

Through their donor-advised fund, the BeMents can channel their giving toward a variety of needs, from education and court programs to initiatives that support older adults. Athens Area Community Foundation helps them keep track of everything in one place, but it also offers resources. “They inform us about other nonprofits in the area, providing lots of connections and information that we wouldn’t otherwise have. We get to learn about what’s available locally that is addressing the needs we’re passionate about, and working alongside any organization who does that is a no-brainer,” the BeMents share.

When sharing about their decision to start a donor-advised fund with the community foundation, T.J. emphasizes that everybody can give. "People hear about the community foundation and donor-advised funds and think, ‘That’s not for me.’ They think it’s only for people with millions of dollars, but that’s just not true. All giving, of any size, can be made easier through the community foundation. It also provides a double bonus of giving to organizations you care about and supporting the community foundation as they support other nonprofits and other organizations."

The BeMents aim to address issues that matter to them while supporting broader community needs. Amy shares a personal example: “My mom passed away a few years ago after a long decline with dementia, and one organization that was critical to her was the Athens Community Council on Aging. It’s a cause we give to because they’re doing things to serve the needs of the aging population in Athens, and I feel like even our small contribution can help move the needle on those issues.”

The BeMents also enjoy engaging the next generation in philanthropy. At the Athens Area Community Foundation’s 15th anniversary celebration, they involved their niece and nephew, allowing the children to explore local nonprofits and select organizations to support with a gift from the BeMents’ fund. This was such a meaningful way to show the next generation the power of giving.

What makes the Athens Area Community Foundation stand out for the BeMents is the depth of its resources and connections. From educational programs for nonprofit boards to targeted giving initiatives like the Wheel of Giving, the foundation provides insight and guidance that individual donors might not have access to on their own. In this way, it’s far more than just a place to house your foundation. It’s like an endless treasure trove of resources and connections that have been created over years of networking, collaboration, and partnerships.

“I wish more prospective donors understood the benefit of Athens Area Community Foundation,” says Amy. “You can open a donor-advised fund anywhere. When you do it at the Community Foundation, you pay a fee like you would anywhere else, but the fees here support this fantastic network of services and products that don’t come along with any other kind of donor-advised funds anywhere else.”

One great example they mention is a board training series run by the Community Foundation called Ready, Set, Go. It’s an opportunity for nonprofits in the Athens area and surrounding counties to send board members and let them learn about what it looks like to be a board member. This drastically raises the quality of our nonprofits in the area, and according to the BeMents, it’s a great benefit of having your fund through the Community Foundation.

Truly, when it comes to giving, no amount is too small, and the community foundation is a great way to stay connected with helping in your own backyard.

For T.J. and Amy, the decision to give through the Athens Area Community Foundation is about more than writing checks; it’s about making their philanthropy intentional, strategic, and connected to the community they call home.