Atlanta, GA (April 1, 2008) - Some are dubbing it the new nonprofit Mecca, and Atlanta’s civic leaders are just fine with that label.
Atlanta has always been a draw for nonprofits. There are 7,500 nonprofits in the metro Atlanta area, according to the Georgia Center for Nonprofits. And during the past 15 years a number of national nonprofits moved headquarters operations to the city.
Points of Light & Hands On Network announced at the end of January that the newly merged organization would locate its headquarters in Atlanta, the original home of the Hands On Network. Habitat for Humanity International, which has always been based in Americus, Ga., about three hours south of Atlanta, announced in 2006 that the nonprofit would move its administrative headquarters to the big city.
Other mega nonprofits have made their home in Atlanta for years: the Arthritis Foundation moved to Atlanta in 1977, the American Cancer Society in 1987, CARE in 1993 and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 1994.
“Clearly, Washington (D.C.) has been headquarters for many. But to see other national nonprofits making their home here in Atlanta — that made it a logical opportunity for us,” said Michelle Nunn, CEO of the Points of Light & Hands On Network, of the organization’s recent decision to operate the merged staff in Atlanta — Points of Light had been in Washington, D.C.
City representatives and nonprofit executives who have made the move to Atlanta list many of the same reasons for the attraction. The highest on the list was quick and easy access to the country’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. For those nonprofits doing global business, access to direct flights to Europe, South America and Asia was cited as a motivation to move.
For the full story: http://www.nptimes.com/08april/npt-080401-1.html
By Natalie Ghidotti
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