The Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation has launched a $2.75 million capital campaign to fun the following priorities:
Purchase and renovation of an expanded new home
The 14,000 sq. ft. new facility will meet the Lighthouse's current and future needs, and will include:
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A permanent eye clinic with a dedicated entrance, two exam lanes and an optical shop, enabling the Lighthouse to increase on-site eye clinic services;
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Increased administrative space for staff offices, intern and volunteer work areas, a large conference room, a break room, and other administrative needs;
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An expanded, reconfigured eyeglass recycling center, making it easier to accommodate volunteer groups; and
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Ample parking spaces and close proximity to a MARTA rail station.
The current building owner will lease the top floor of the three-level building for three years. During this time, the Lighthouse will occupy nearly 9,300 sq. ft., more than doubling their current space. After the first three years of occupancy, the Lighthouse will have the ability to expand to the top floor, or may opt to lease all or part of the upper level, possibly to a partner health and human service organization. Minimal renovations are required, primarily to the lower level to create a reception area and apporpriate spaces for the eye clinic and eyeglass recycling area.
Strategic Equipment Needs
The campaign will fund several strategic equipment needs for the new facility and planned programmatic expansion throughout the state, including:
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Equipment to create an optical shop, giving the Lighthouse the ability to fit, adjust, and dispense eyewear and reduce the cost of eyeglasses to $5 per pair. Even with the additional costs of hiring a full-time optician, the Lighthouse will realize an annual savings fo $50,000 while increasing the number of eyeglasses dispensed by 60 percent.
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Eye clinic equipment needed to create two permanent eye exam lanes, as well as equipment to screen for glaucoma and enhance follow-up care for patients with diabetes. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness and 30% of Lighthouse patients suffer from the disease;
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A van and mobile eye clinic equipment, enabling the Lighthouse to increase the number of statewide eye clinics from 13 to 22 by FY2013, helping to meet the pressing demand for eye exams; and
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An upgraded patient database and medical filing system to properly track and organize patient data and medical files.
As a result of the campaign, the Lighthouse will be able to significantly increase program capacity. It is anticipated that program volume will increase by 67 percent by FY2013, from a total of 4,317 to 7,200 people served each year.
The Lighthouse has a sound plan for sustaining the costs associated with an expanded facility. The built-in lease of the building's top floor will provide $60,000 in endowment earnings toward the purchase of the property, and will be able to sell the current facility to establish a reserve fund for ongoing building repairs and increased operating expenses.
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A Clear Plan for the Future
Campaign Priorities
Financial Summary
A Brighter Future
Campaign Committee
Pledge to the Campaign
Help Us Grow!
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