What Are Nonprofits?

Nonprofits play an important role in every city, often working behind the scenes to support community welfare. In fact, nonprofits tend to do a lot more behind the scenes than we realize. So what are they? Nonprofits are organizations that do not generate or distribute profits to shareholders or individuals. They serve the public good in various ways and include charitable organizations, religious organizations, homeowners associations, and labor unions among many others. The most impactful types of nonprofits are public charities, also known as charitable nonprofits. These are nonprofits that promote social welfare, private foundations, and religious organizations. 

In Georgia, there are approximately four nonprofits for every thousand people. Though nonprofits tend to be concentrated in larger cities, where more people live, many focus on improving conditions in rural areas in the state. Overall, 1.3 million charitable nonprofits serve their communities across the United States. In Athens alone, 1,390 nonprofits generate over two billion dollars in revenue each year. Some of the most influential nonprofits in Athens include Project Safe Inc, Athens-Oconee CASA, the Athens Area Humane Society, Books for Keeps, and the Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund. Additionally, Athens has a community foundation dedicated to raising and managing funds for local charities and foundations.

Community foundations have a vital role in managing nonprofit donations in cities with a high number of charitable organizations. A community foundation in Athens was established in 2008, and in less than 20 years, the Athens Area Community Foundation has grown to oversee 293 funds and manage $32 million in grants. The foundation does this by connecting donors with nonprofits and working with advisors to create donation plans. Furthermore, The Foundation connects donors with causes that align with their philanthropic goals. They help donors who wish to contribute broadly, support a specific cause, or direct their funds to a designated foundation. 

Why Are Nonprofits Needed?

Nonprofits bridge  the gap between what the government provides and what citizens can provide for themselves. In addition to services like providing food or donating books, nonprofits employ 12.8 million people nationwide and significantly impact the economy. More importantly, These nonprofits support human rights and health. One way they do this is through advocacy as an intermediary between individuals with fewer resources and the government sector. Nonprofits are essential to addressing community-specific needs that the broad federal government cannot identify. This includes overarching goals like human rights and welfare which are best addressed through localized, community-driven efforts that understand the unique challenges and cultural contexts of the people they serve. 

A major example of the influence of nonprofits is in the healthcare sector. Over half of the hospitals in the U.S. are nonprofit. Research from the National Institute of Health indicates that communities with strong nonprofit networks experience better community health including lower illness rates and higher infant health and mental health levels. Athens is no exception. In Athens, Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center is nearly entirely funded by community grants. Over 2023, the hospital had 21,900 in-patient admissions and 82,046 out-patient ER visits. This means in 2023, the hospital helped patients over 100,000 times – making Piedmont hospital a crucial resource for people in the Athens area. Public hospitals are important examples of how public-serving nonprofits play a major role in nearly every American’s life.

What can we do better?

Despite their significance, support for nonprofits has been decreasing. In 1980, 85% of Americans donated to charitable causes, but that number has since fallen to 50%. Additionally, only 33% of Americans believe that nonprofits contribute to society. While many people favor the idea of giving to charitable nonprofits, fewer are actively donating. A major factor in this decline is a lack of awareness: one study reported that 62.6% of people had little to no knowledge of nonprofits while only 1.5% considered themselves experts. Furthermore, although nearly 10% of Americans work for nonprofits, only about 5% of Americans believe that nonprofits have benefitted themselves or someone in their family directly. Because many people don’t understand the extent to which nonprofits benefit society and themselves, they are often reluctant to donate. This hurts both the economy and nonprofits’ ability to respond to disasters, provide resources, and promote healthcare. 

Addressing this issue starts with education and engagement. In Athens, college students can volunteer, spread awareness, and support local nonprofits. Additionally, college students everywhere can look into supporting their local community foundations. Support from university students in Athens will bring stronger statewide and national support for the Athens Area Community Foundation. This can be done through social media outreach, University-led initiatives, and collaboration with organizations on the UGA’s campus. By increasing community involvement, Athens residents, whether temporary or lifelong, can help grow the nonprofit sector, ensuring that these organizations can continue to serve those in need.

The participation of college students in the democratic process is imperative. Not only will the local representatives they elect affect their lives while attending college, but those same officials will likely influence the first stages of their adult life after higher education as well. Students attending colleges in-state are free to vote for candidates who most directly affect their campus communities, but out-of-state students do not always have this luxury. In the state of Georgia, out-of-state students have the option to either stay registered to vote in their home state or register to vote in Georgia using their public college ID. This provides these students a opportunity to receive proper democratic representation in the local and state governments. There are several obstacles, however, that out-of-state students in Georgia must overcome to achieve this representation. Out-of-state students who attend college in Georgia, including University of Georgia students, have a harder time achieving proper democratic representation than in-state students because of the issues they face with voter registration, such as inadequate civic education, confusing laws, and lack of motivation.

Most Georgia college students have a chance to vote for officials representing their campus communities but insufficient civic education leads to ignorance of this opportunity. Out-of-state students may not realize they are able to change where they are registered, which is a problem perpetuated by the University of Georgia’s civic engagement website page. On this page, it states that one can use an ID from a public Georgia university to vote, but it never explicitly mentions that this option works for out-of-state students who wish to change where they are registered. Buried amongst facts about valid Georgia driver licenses, it is easy for students to misunderstand this option as only being for in-state students. The only section of the page that refers to registering out-of-state takes the user to a separate, more confusing page of Democracy Works Elections Data. This page also does not provide any specific information on how to register, opting to only inform the reader of how the organization’s other website pages can help without any hyperlinks or directions. This lack of knowledge may be a factor in why few out-of-state students are registered in their campus state. In a study conducted by Tufts University, researchers found that 23% of out-of-state students are registered to vote in Georgia. With so few out-of-state students registered and no clear instruction on how to register in one’s campus state, out-of-state students in Georgia face the hindrance of learning they can change their registration location to begin with.

Beyond the University of Georgia, out-of-state students who attend private colleges in Georgia are not even allowed to register to vote in the state. According to the Secretary of State’s Georgia Voter Identification Requirements, only a student ID from a public Georgia college or university is valid due to a 2006 voter ID law. This issue not only denies out-of-state students at Georgia private colleges the right to democratic representation, but it specifically burdens out-of-state students of color. Seven out of 10 historical black colleges and universities in Georgia are private, meaning many Black out-of-state students are disenfranchised at the polls. Even out-of-state students at other private popular schools, such as Emory or Mercer University, face this problem. This oversight on valid voting IDs results in out-of-state students having to make the unfair decision to sacrifice their right to democratic representation in exchange for a higher education in Georgia. 

On a psychological level, out-of-state students tend to feel less of an incentive to register. The aforementioned Tufts University study found that out-of-state students are simply less motivated to vote. This could be for a number of reasons. Some students may not want to go through the work of registering again when they are already registered in their home state. Some may feel their vote is not needed in their campus state, especially if that state tends to be led by one political party. On the flip side, if their home state is a battleground state in elections, they may decide it is more important to stay registered there, even if it means giving up their elective power in their campus state. Georgia’s current political climate makes this situation more complex. Historically, Georgia has tended to lean Republican for both state and national elections. Out-of-state votes are more crucial than ever in influencing Georgia’s elections, but that puts out-of-state students in the tough position of deciding in which state they want their vote to matter. Out-of-state students spend around eight months out of the year living under their campus state’s government. Yet, many of those students’ electoral power to choose candidates that best represent their wants and values is deprived, either through deficient civic knowledge, tangible ID requirements or mental obstacles. With one of the most crucial election periods on the horizon, this must change. In the past, movements such as VoteRiders have sent knowledgeable activists to college campuses in Georgia to help students with registration. Out-of-state students especially should seek out these volunteers if they come to campus. The University of Georgia must also take on some responsibility and do a better job of making it clear to out-of-state students that they can register to vote in the state and provide resources to help them do so. If you are an in-state student who has registered before, offer to help an out-of-state peer with the process. They deserve democratic representation just as much as in-state students.

Photo Credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/stickers-with-i-voted-inscription-and-flag-of-usa-1550339/

Image by Athens Politics Nerd

Establishing the SPLOST

The Georgia State Legislature enacted the County Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax in 1985. This allowed for local governments to implement an optional 1% sales tax on all goods that are subject to the state sales tax. Essentially, for every dollar spent on an item subject to the tax, one penny goes toward SPLOST. Revenue generated by this small tax goes toward public works projects and infrastructure improvements that are not funded by property taxes. SPLOST funds are funneled into cultural, recreational, and historical capital outlay projects, as well as fire and police stations and vehicles. 

Implementing the SPLOST and projects first begins with the call for a SPLOST referendum by the county election superintendent. Following this, all of the municipalities within the county must meet and discuss the possible projects. Once the list of proposed projects has been compiled by the board of commissioners, the board must adopt a resolution that calls for the implementation of a tax. The resolution must include a list of all projects to be funded, listed with their estimated cost, and the time period that the tax will be implemented. Finally, once this resolution is adopted, the county voters must approve the resolution calling for the tax through a simple majority referendum. 

What is taxed?

Everything that is subject to the state sales tax is included in the SPLOST.  However, this sales tax also applies to food, non-alcoholic beverages, and motor fuels, which are not subject to the state sales tax.

Local Benefits

A 1% sales tax is considered a simple and fair solution, benefiting local communities without harming taxpayers. Essentially, SPLOST relieves pressure from local residents and property owners in Athens. Athens-Clarke County also exhibits a high volume of visitors whose purchases are subject to the sales tax, providing further relief for local taxpayers. 

SPLOST Projects

Earlier SPLOST projects are now an essential part of Athens-Clarke County. Thanks to SPLOST funding, many Parks and recreational facilities have been renovated to ensure Athens recreational infrastructure is sound. Walker Park, a 113-acre park with walking and biking trails, sports fields, a playground, and picnic shelters, was financed by the SPLOST and completed in 2013. Public infrastructure projects such as The Athens Courthouse parking deck have been financed by SPLOST, along with improvements to the Athens Regional Library and storm drainage systems. SPLOST also finances improvements to roads and bridges, including the construction of Epps Bridge Parkway, which connects Athens to State Route 316. Public safety equipment and administrative facilities are also financed by this tax. 

The most recent SPLOST project list, approved in 2020, can be found here. The Classic Center Arena Project, which will create a new 5,000-seat assembly space for the public, is expected to generate $33 million in revenue per year, stimulating the Athens economy and providing new jobs. There are a total of 37 projects, including the Animal Shelter Improvements Project, the East Side Public Library Project, and the Airport Capital Improvements Project, all with varying budgets. The 2020 SPLOSt is also moving in the direction of sustainability, taking financial steps towards using 100% renewable energy.

Association County Commissioners of Georgia. 2016. “Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax: A Guide for County Officials.” ACCG. Accessed October 24, 2023. https://www.accg.org/library/legal/SPLOST%202016.pdf

Athens-Clarke County Unified Government. “SPLOST: Athens-Clarke County, GA – Official Website.” SPLOST | Athens-Clarke County, GA – Official Website, 2020. https://www.accgov.com/946/SPLOST.

Athens-Clarke County Unified Government. “Projects 1-15: Athens-Clarke County, GA – Official Website.” Projects 1-15 | Athens-Clarke County, GA – Official Website. Accessed October 25, 2023. https://www.accgov.com/2159/Projects-1-15#3.

Dowd, Chris. 2019. “SPLOST 2020 Passes.” Athens Politics Nerd. Accessed October 24, 2023. https://athenspoliticsnerd.com/splost-2020-passes/. 

A discussion of the Athens-Clarke County government structure and functions, key roles, and institutions.

The Mayor – https://www.accgov.com/DocumentCenter/View/43085/Qualifications-for-ACC-Mayor

Qualifications

In order to qualify as a candidate for mayor, the individual must be at least 21-years old, have resided in Athens-Clarke County for at least one year before the date of the election and continue to reside in Athens-Clarke County for the duration of their term. The candidate must also be a registered voter in Athens-Clarke County and, if elected, cannot hold another local, state, or federal office during their term. 

Election, Term, Salary

According to the Athens-Clarke County government website, the mayor is elected by county constituents for four-year terms and can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. Similar to the Georgia state legislature, the mayor position is not meant to be a full-time job, and the mayor is compensated with an annual salary of $45,000. The salary is not fixed and can be adjusted. If an increase is approved, the new salary does not take place until the next election cycle. 

Roles

The mayor’s key roles include setting Commission meeting agendas, recommending candidates for the Athens-Clarke County positions of manager, attorney, Municipal Court judge, and internal auditor; and presenting the budget. The mayor also has the sole power to issue proclamations, which can serve to acknowledge painful histories like Linnetown and recognize observation days and weeks like “World Peace Week”. 

Among one of the most important of these roles is the mayor’s recommendation for the Athens-Clarke County Manager. The Manager is the highest position in Athens-Clarke County’s executive branch, though not the most visible. 

The Commission – https://www.accgov.com/DocumentCenter/View/43084/Qualifications-for-ACC-Commission

Qualifications

Candidates for commissioner must be at least 21 years old at the time of their candidacy, be a registered voter in Athens-Clarke County, have had residency in the Athens-Clarke County district they are running for at least one year and, if elected, continue to reside in that district for the duration of their term. 

Election, Term, Salary

There are currently 10 commissioners who represent the 10 districts in Athens-Clarke County; the commissioners have 4-year terms and are compensated with a $15,000 annual salary. Like the mayor, the role of commissioner is meant to be part-time, though commissioners may not hold additional office in local, state, or federal government during their term. The salary is not fixed and can be adjusted. If an increase is approved, the new salary does not take place until the next election cycle. 

Powers

Though many of the roles of commissioners intersect with the mayor and manager, there are some that stay specific to the jurisdiction of the commissioners. Of these, the commission has the important power of adopting (and when necessary) amending the budget proposal put forth by the mayor. The commissioners also reserve the right to approve or reject mayoral recommendations for manager, attorney, and auditor. A simple majority vote can remove the manager, attorney, and auditor from office. The commission also appoints and outlines the duty of the clerk of commission and can terminate the clerk of commission at any time with a simple majority vote. 

The commission is empowered by a broad definition of its legislation-making powers; the commission is allowed to make rules, resolutions, and ordinances “…as may be necessary or proper…for the promotion and protection of the safety, health, peace, security and general welfare of the inhabitants of [Athens-Clarke County]…” (ACC). The commission’s enforcement is the power to issue fines up to $1,000, imprisonment up to six months, or both punishments. 

With some exceptions—boards and authorities created by Constitutional amendment or local act of the Georgia General Assembly—the commission is also permitted to rewrite the roles, powers, qualifications, and terms of bureaus, boards, commissions, departments, divisions, authorities, offices, and agencies under the Athens-Clarke County government. The commission may reassign deleted/replaced roles to other departments in the Athens-Clarke County system. 

In the instance of a vacant commission seat, the seat may be filled by a vote from the remaining commissioners—simple majority. 

Organization

7 out of 10 commissioners must be present at a commission meeting in order for the agenda to be valid; all meetings are open to the public, minus exceptions outlined in general law.

The Manager – https://library.municode.com/GA/athens-clarke_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTICH_ARTIVAD_CH1OF_S4-101MAAPQUCO

Qualifications

Unlike the mayor and commission, the manager is a full-time role. A candidate for manager cannot be considered if they held an elective office in Athens-Clarke County; they are only eligible if two years pass following their former office. The manager may not engage in political activity and cannot qualify for any other Athens-Clarke County office for one year following the end of their term as manager. Though the manager does not need to be an Athens-Clarke County resident at the time of their appointment, they must establish residence within 6 months following their appointment and continue to reside in Athens-Clarke County for the duration of their term.

Election, Term, Salary

Candidates for manager must be recommended by the mayor and elected by a simple majority from the commission. If confirmed by the commission, the manager serves a single two-year term. According to Savannah Morning News, the current Athens-Clarke County Manager is paid an annual salary of $184,203. Salaries are fixed by ordinance, meaning, the salary is under the jurisdiction of Athens-Clarke County lawmaking bodies. 

Powers

The manager is primarily responsible for overseeing the various departments and agencies of Athens-Clarke County government, for appointing and removing department heads, preparing the annual budget with the department heads for approval by the mayor, advising the commission of Athens-Clarke County finances, creating inspection reports about the departments, offices, and agencies for the commission, and most importantly, implementing administrative standards to be followed by all divisions and authorities in Athens-Clarke County government.

The manager has the sole power of managing employees, and the mayor and commission are not allowed to interfere with management unless there are investigative purposes. The manager is the bridge between the mayor/commission and the rest of the government!

The Attorney

Qualifications

The attorney must be an active member of the State Bar of Georgia.

Election, Term, Salary

Similar to the appointment of the manager, the mayor recommends an attorney candidate to the commission, and the attorney is appointed with a simple majority vote. The attorney serves a two-year term and can serve a second term unless removed by the commission through a majority vote. The current attorney’s annual salary is $152,213 and is established by ordinance. 

Role

The attorney serves as legal counsel to the Athens-Clarke County government. 

The Internal Auditor – https://library.municode.com/GA/athens-clarke_county/ordinances/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=719570

Qualifications

Not listed in ACC charter

Election, Term, Salary

Similar to the appointment of the manager, the mayor recommends an attorney candidate to the commission, and the attorney is appointed with a simple majority vote. The attorney serves a two-year term and can serve a second term unless removed by the commission through a majority vote. The internal auditor’s estimated annual salary is $130,000.

Role

The internal auditor is tasked with conducting an evolving inspection “…of the fiscal affairs and operations of every department, office, and agency of the Athens-Clarke County government.”

How the legislative and executive branches work together:

The mayor and commission often work together to identify candidates for the manager, attorney, and internal auditor positions; a majority commission vote is required to appoint a candidate as manager, attorney, or internal auditor. Additionally, in the case of a 5-5 tie, the mayor is the tie-breaking vote. Beyond these cases, the mayor is not allowed to hold voting power in commission votes. 

The mayor shares the power of calling special meetings with the commission, which requires the agreement of 5 commissioners. Notice of special meetings must be given to commissioners no less than 24 hours before the meeting. 

Similar to the U.S. legislature, the Commission can check some mayoral powers. As outlined in above sections, the Commission reserves the right to appoint or reject appointments of the manager, attorney, and internal auditor, as well as remove these actors from office with a majority vote. Additionally, the Commission can override a mayor’s veto with agreement from 7 commissioners.

As for the relationship between the mayor, Commission, and Manager, Athens-Clarke County commission meeting agendas are set by the mayor with input about agenda items from the commission, manager, and the public. 

The mayor and manager also work together to present the annual budget to the commission. The manager works with all department and agency heads to create a budget that encompasses the departments’ needs and sends this budget for the Mayor’s approval. The commission then votes to reject, modify, or implement the proposal.

The Judicial Branch – https://athenspoliticsnerd.com/local-government/

The Athens-Clarke County judicial system operates broadly under the Manager but is led by the District Attorney, who handles all felony cases, and the Solicitor General, who handles all misdemeanor cases. Different courts hold different jurisdictions.

Municipal Court

The Municipal Court handles traffic offenses and minor misdemeanors

Magistrate Court

The Magistrate Court handles civil claims, bond hearings, evictions, and abandoned vehicles. 

Probate Court

The Probate Court handles everything else outside of the Municipal and Magistrate Courts’ jurisdiction.

Superior Court

The Superior Court justices are elected; there are four justices. This court handles state felonies and can take cases to the state judicial system.

State Court

The State Court handles misdemeanors and can take cases to the state judicial system.