WHERE EAST ALABAMA NONPROFITS
Connect, Collaborate, and Grow.
The Nonprofit Center of East Alabama was born from a simple observation: the staggering cost of commercial rent had become a primary barrier to community progress. After identifying that many local organizations were struggling to find affordable, consistent workspace, the Samford-Cannon Foundation moved to repurpose a historic local landmark, the former Elks Lodge, into a centralized hub for the nonprofit sector.
Strategically located on the city line between Auburn and Opelika, the Center is designed to remove the operational obstacles that keep leaders from their primary work. By reclaiming funds previously lost to high overhead, we ensure that vital resources are reinvested where they belong: in the mission and the people of East Alabama. More than just a building, the Center is a collaborative ecosystem where leaders connect, collaborate, and grow together to solve the most pressing challenges facing our region.
The Foundations of Our Support
SPACE
High-quality, affordable office and event facilities that provide a professional home for your mission.
EDUCATION
Specialized programming and professional development designed to build leadership and operational skills.
RESOURCES
A turnkey environment with all-inclusive amenities, allowing you to focus 100% on community impact.
What We Work Towards
OUR VISION
To build (or create) a thriving regional nonprofit community anchored by a shared campus that supports long-term organizational growth and collaboration.
OUR MISSION
To strengthen the organizational capacity of nonprofits in East Alabama, through education, resources, and affordable space.
ESTABLISHED BY
The Samford-Cannon Foundation is the founding force behind the Nonprofit Center of East Alabama, providing the essential resources and facilities that make this shared campus possible. For nearly 20 years, the Foundation has practiced a quiet, intentional form of philanthropy, supporting local charities and educational institutions with grants and leadership opportunities throughout Auburn and Lee County.
With the establishment of the Center, the Foundation’s trustees have broadened their vision beyond traditional grantmaking. This project represents an evolution in their mission, moving from direct financial support to providing a permanent, physical foundation for the nonprofit sector.
By removing the significant financial barrier of commercial overhead, the Foundation ensures that more donor dollars remain focused on primary missions, allowing regional organizations to scale their impact for generations to come.
Our Team
Contact Information:
Carrie Thomas
DIRECTOR
As a new resident of East Alabama, Carrie is eager to connect with nonprofit leaders and stakeholders throughout the region. She joins the Nonprofit Center of East Alabama following a distinguished 13-year tenure at United Way of Marshall County, where she served as Marketing and Community Impact Director before spending the last decade as Executive Director. These roles solidified her commitment to advancing nonprofit missions and fostering deep civic engagement.
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With over 25 years of leadership experience across the nonprofit and corporate sectors, Carrie’s expertise spans fundraising, strategic partnerships, and project management. A graduate of the Marshall County Leadership Challenge and the Alabama Leadership Initiative, she has served on numerous community and statewide boards. Carrie holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Promotion from Auburn University and remains dedicated to helping organizations thrive to better serve their communities.
Beth Lomenick
OPERATIONS MANAGER
An Auburn University graduate with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Beth brings extensive experience in large-scale logistics and facility operations to the Nonprofit Center of East Alabama. Her background ranges from managing catering events for over 800 guests at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida to serving as the Patient Care Coordinator for East Alabama Plastic Surgery for 12 years. In her previous medical role, she specialized in facility compliance and city inspections, ensuring the high standards required for professional operations were always met.
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Now returning to her hospitality roots in East Alabama, Beth serves as the primary facilitator for the Center’s tenants and events. She is dedicated to handling the logistical and operational details of the facility so that local organizations can focus entirely on their community impact. Beth is excited to help nonprofits utilize this historic space to its full potential, turning their organizational visions into successful, real-world events.
Contact Information:
