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In The Community
 In 1997 IFMA Atlanta decided to advance its community services efforts beyond a one day event to a perpetual program that kept on giving 365 days a year. Our intent was to utilize the strength of our membership to improve non-profit organization facilities in the Atlanta area and at the same time promote the profession of facility management. As a result of these efforts, IFMA Atlanta received the IFMA International award for Community Services Contributions and Achievement in 1998.
In the beginning the committee focused on helping one non-profit organization at a time, beginning with The Frazer Center and moving on to the YWCA of Greater Atlanta. Over time and as the committee continued to grow, we realized that we were capable of helping more than one organization at a time. Today we have the largest committee membership and are very busy supporting seven community partners - Atlanta Community Toolbank, The Elaine Clark Center for Exceptional Children, Family Life Restoration Center, Homestretch, Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta, The Drake House, and Decatur Cooperative Ministry.
In May of each year, non-profits can submit an application for partnership with IFMA Community Service. After we review and accept the non-profits application we partner them with members of our IFMA Community Service Committee to develop a plan to accomplish their goals as they relate to managing their facilities. A focus team with a team leader coordinates the associated activities of each project to affectively reach these goals.
With the help, support and in-kind donations and services of our associate and professional members, we have helped complete many projects, saving thousands of dollars that enable our partners to re-channel towards their operating programs. We also serve on their Boards, and represent IFMA when needed, to aid in obtaining grants for capital projects. We have worked with the City of Atlanta, United Way, Community Affairs, and county governments in completing many projects. Over the years, our reputation has grown to such that now, each year, United Way only funds their CAP projects to those non-profit organizations that are mentored by IFMA Atlanta, BOMA (whom we mentored to help establish their community service program) and IIDA.
Annually, our Chapter sets aside one day to do a group volunteer project. This allows IFMA members to give of their time and talents. Past projects have included painting, cleaning, and planting flowers. These service days have brought professional and associate members together working to benefit the community while getting to know one another for later business successes.
For the December Holiday Luncheon - IFMA Atlanta recognizes our community partners and holds a toy drive for the children of the organizations.
In 2008, the committee hosted its first Annual Nonprofit Facility Summit targeted to put critical facility information and tools in the hands of nonprofit FM professionals working in metro Atlanta. This educational summit has developed over the past couple of years to focus on the needs of the non-profit and assists in developing a preventative maintenance manual / plan for their facilities.
From the Nonprofit Facility Summit, the committee has found they could do more and now offer nonprofit professionals an educational opportunity through our quarterly Lunch and Learn Series. Chapter members donate time to speak on one of the nine core competency areas of IFMA. These Lunch and Learns are open to all non-profits who want to learn how to manage their property more efficiently. You can help by encouraging nonprofit organizations that you know to participate and/or consider becoming a session speaker.
If you are interested in hosting a quarterly lunch and learn educational session for local nonprofit professionals, please contact the Committee Chair, Dave Woelber at 404.925.4581 or by email at dave@total-plant.com. The Committee meets monthly on the Friday before the IFMA luncheon. Our meetings are held at Hendrick, Inc., located in Piedmont Center (off Georgia 400-Lenox/Piedmont Exit). Hendrick, Inc., is in Building 8, Suite 300 on the 3rd floor. Networking 8:00-8:30 - meetings 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Click here for a pdf application to become a Community Partner. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this file - download it for free here: Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Our community services effort would not be where it is today without the continuous involvement and support of our associate members and their companies. Click here to view the list of our Project Team members and those companies who have contributed to our projects most generously. We hope that when you need services, you will look to these companies first for your facility needs.
IFMA Foundation
 Established in 1990 as a non-profit corporation, the IFMA Foundation is designed to identify, fund and promote education and research for the advancement of facility management. Funded exclusively by the generosity of individual IFMA members, chapters, councils and corporate sponsors, donations underwrite research, fund educational program development, provide scholarships to students pursuing degrees in facility management and support certification programs benefiting the profession. The Foundation invests every contributed dollar in programs that directly benefit the future of the profession. Please click here for contact information.
 GA Tech Masters Degree Program
The Atlanta Chapter of IFMA has partnered with Georgia Tech on a Masters Degree Program in Integrated Facility and Property Management, Course work began in the fall 2000. We have published notices and articles on this Program in our newsletter and Georgia Tech has presented at several monthly programs. As a result of our partnership, Georgia Tech has become an IFMA Atlanta Chapter member. The Chapter has also committed to the IFMA Foundation and Georgia Tech an annual $10,000 Endowment for the Masters Program.
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