Community Shares goal: $475,000

By John Huotari · Knoxville News Sentinel

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Community Shares, a Knoxville-based workplace giving organization, kicked off its annual fund-raising campaign targeting $475,000 for 50 Tennessee nonprofits. The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is among the beneficiary groups, using Community Shares contributions to support air quality and clean energy advocacy work in the region.

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Community Shares goal: $475,000

Annual fund-raising campaign kicks off

BY JOHN HUOTARI
huotari@knews.com

Community Shares' annual fund-raising campaign for social change and arts groups kicked off Tuesday at The Laurel Theatre in Knoxville.

The organization raises money for 50 Tennessee groups through workplace payroll deductions.

Last year, Community Shares raised $450,000 through workplace contributions from about 13,000 employees at 150 workplaces, Executive Director Shelley Wascom said. This year, the organization hopes to raise $475,000.

"We share a vision for a better community, a better country and a better world," she said.

Sandra Goss, executive director of Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning, said her group got about 6 percent to 10 percent of its contributions last year — $6,000 — through Community Shares.

Brent Cantrell, executive director of Jubilee Community Arts, which owns and operates The Laurel Theatre, said his group gets about $9,000 a year through Community Shares. That represents about 5 percent of their contributions, he said.

Valerie True, communications director for Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, said the environmental group appreciates Community Shares' support.

"It helps us to do the work to clean up Knoxville's poor air quality and advocate for more clean energy in our area," True said.

For more information on donating to Community Shares, visit their Web site at www.communitysharestn.org or call 865-522-1604.