Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/914877
58 | M A C O N M A G A Z I N E D E C E M B E R / J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8 12 COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF CENTRAL GEORGIA I n 2015, the Bragg Jam Board of Directors established an endowment fund at the Community Foundation of Central Georgia (CFCG) to ensure the organization's sustainability. A $12,000 challenge grant from CFCG spurred the Bragg Jam Board to raise an additional $24,000 to seed the endowment fund. In the almost 20 years which have passed since bereaved band mates originally held a memorial concert for musician brothers Brax & Tate Bragg, Bragg Jam has grown into an annual event which in 2017 boasted 85 bands and solo artists at 20 stages performing a variety of styles - experimental, country, rap, Americana, rock, blues, and soul. Now a nonprofit organization run by dedicated volunteers, Bragg Jam, Inc. plans, promotes and staffs not only the annual music festival held the last Saturday each July but also a monthly Second Sunday Community Concert series. Funds raised have been donated to the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail. According to Everett Verner, Board Chair of Bragg Jam, "Bragg Jam donations have funded a raft- canoe putout on the south side of Amerson Park as well as helping with maintenance and construction of the Trail." The busy volunteer board of Bragg Jam has been described as a "family of compatible young people" by Julie Bragg, mother of Brax and Tate. As the Bragg Jam Board members continue to band together to hone their skills as civic leaders, they have chosen to partner with CFCG to establish and maintain an endowment to ensure a strong financial footing for the future of Bragg Jam. CFCG will help the organization build the fund, and handle all administrative and financial management duties. Board members see the value of partnership and are glad to have an endowment fund at CFCG to ensure that Bragg Jam will be able to continue to promote hip, entertaining urban events, preserve the legacy of Brax and Tate Bragg, and support local causes such as the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail. BANDING TOGETHER Bragg Jam Fund Organizational Endowment Fund / Bibb County SCOTT CORKERY