Atlanta has over 52,000 Germans and German-Americans living in the area. Over 800 German-affiliated companies operate here. There is no better time or place for an organization like the German American Cultural Foundation. We would like to share a bit about our organization’s history and who we are today.
Foundations
The German American Cultural Foundation (GACF) was founded in 2008 as a nonprofit organization. Our mission is to promote and preserve German language and culture in the southeastern United States. We do this by supporting organizations with similar goals throughout the Southeast. These organizations encourage community involvement through educational activities, community events, and the arts. We also host a series of cultural events throughout the year.
The GACF helps strengthen ties between Germany and the United States by making Atlanta a great place for Germans, German-Americans, and German-affiliated companies to call home. The programs we provide and support enrich Atlanta’s cultural landscape. We encourage German-American business relationships through cultural appreciation and understanding. These activities create an environment which encourages German and German-American families to embrace and celebrate their heritage.
Our founding board members are Hans-Joerg Brunner, Rudi Herbst, Martin Richenhagen, Peter Schwarzenbauer, and Teri A. Simmons. Founders Rudi Herbst and Teri Simmons continue their service on the board to this day.
Initial Challenges
When the GACF was founded, it faced a big challenge. The German government had recently ended its funding of the Goethe-Zentrum of Atlanta (also known as the Goethe Institut). To keep this valuable German cultural institution alive, the GACF raced against the clock to replace the funding the Goethe-Zentrum once received.
Initial Goals
In addition to finding funding for the Goethe-Zentrum, the GACF had an initial goal of creating a streamlined donation process for large corporations. Before the GACF was founded, corporations interested in sponsoring German American cultural programs had to navigate a complicated system of requests for funding from individual groups and organizations. When they granted funds, they would have to directly administer distribution of those funds to each group.
The GACF made it easy for companies to support a variety of German organizations, events, and educational programs by taking on these tasks.
Patrons
GACF patrons are corporate sponsors which donate resources to help our organization reach its goals. We currently have 28 active patrons and are constantly growing.
Many of our patrons also choose to volunteer their time as members of the Executive Team or Board of Directors for our Foundation.
Why should an organization consider donating to the GACF?
The GACF offers organizations the opportunity to make a long-term cultural and economic impact. We work with other organizations to create a lasting, positive environment which attracts skilled international workers and their families, helps Americans experience the richness of international culture, and encourages locals to develop global language skills and understanding of German culture.
Each of these things combine to create an improved business environment for international companies in Atlanta. This, in turn, helps improve the economic well-being of not only our city, but the world.
Our Annual Fundraisers
In addition to year-round fundraising through our patrons, we also host three events to raise funds and awareness for our programs. In the fall, we host a Charity Golf Tournament (now in its 13th year) and our Oktoberfest Run (now in its 3rd year). In January, 2015, we hosted our first annual Original Feuerzangenbowle & Gulaschsuppe. This event brings a beloved German New Year’s tradition to Atlanta.
The German American Cultural Foundation is growing, and we’d like you to be a part of it. To become a patron of the GACF or volunteer your time to the organization, email info@gac-foundation.org today. To make a one-time donation, click here. To apply for a grant, please review our grant application information.