Macon Magazine

PEYTON ANDERSON was adamant that the money he had was not his own. Upon the founding of his Foundation, he said: "The money I have is not mine. It's not mine because this money was made in the community, and it was made because the community flourished," he said. "Therefore, I was able to flourish, and this money rightfully should go back into the well-being of the community." That return on investment would be needed when Downtown Macon faced certain demise. The Peyton Anderson Foundation, which began operation after the passing of Mr. Anderson in 1988, recognized that without the well-being of Downtown Macon, our community could not flourish. So, the Foundation, coupled with vision and visionary leaders, set our sights on bringing Downtown Macon back to life. Today, prosperity has returned to the forefront of Downtown Macon. We've turned the corner from shuttering storefronts to creating opportunities for more. We're discovering new avenues of investment and embracing creativity as our inspiration – and goal – in the extraordinary progress of placemaking in our urban core. The Peyton Anderson Foundation continues to make philanthropic investments into Downtown Macon's renaissance. From continuing support of NewTown Macon to funding the latest series of great ideas to be awarded Downtown Challenge grants, our Foundation is deeply committed to Peyton's conviction that he flourished because his community did, too. We're seeing the rebirth of music being made in Macon. Artists can now create their music in a historic recording studio our Foundation helped preserve and construction has begun on the Otis Redding Center for the Arts, where the Foundation has pledged the final $1 million towards its completion. That support radiates from our urban core to our entire Central Georgia region. The Ocmulgee Heritage Trail and the Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative, which the Foundation has enthusiastically supported for many years, are both experiencing monumental progress. What is the one thing we can't measure in philanthropic investment, but can certainly feel? It's Downtown Macon's vibe. It's palpable. It's flourishing. And, as you'll see on these pages, it was created for you. Thank you to all the "good-doers" who are part of this issue and to everyone who works for the prosperity of our community. As Mr. Anderson would often sign his letters: Bestest, Karen Lambert Guest Editor President, Peyton Anderson Foundation FLOURISHING AT THE FOREFRONT PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSICA WHITLEY, MARYANN BATES & JAVE BJORKMAN 6

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