TIFTON — A new foundation formed recently to assist local non-profit organizations raise funds has presented Ruth’s Cottage and The Patticake House with a check for $15,000.

The CHANGE Foundation — Citizens Helping Area Non-Profit Groups Excel — chose the organizations as its fourth-quarter project. The foundation recently hosted Le Bal Costume D’Halloween, a costume ball held in Cordele, as one of its fundraisers for the organizations.

Ruth’s Cottage was formed in 2002 as a community response to the need for sheltering women and children living with domestic violence. The Patticake House, an agency that assists with children who are victims of sexual and physical abuse, opened in 2005.

Vicki Parsons, director of development for Ruth’s Cottage and The Patticake House, said the current economy makes it even more difficult to raise funds for non-profit organizations.

“It is hard to raise money these days,” Parsons said. “Our government funding hasn’t decreased much, but we only use that for salaries and we use all donations to keep the shelter and The Patticake House running.”

Parsons also stated that it is often the case that women come into the shelter at night and only have the clothes on their backs.

“We have to buy them clothes and their children’s school supplies and hair cuts and doctor’s appointments,” Parsons said.

Parsons said the 12-bed shelter has been at maximum capacity for several months.

Charles Hutton, Brian York, Barry Barbee, Buck Strickland and Bob Richbourg are credited with forming the CHANGE Foundation. According to the foundation’s Web site at www.joinchange.com, the organization is non-profit and the role of it is “to be a think tank and bring action by planning and developing strategies, utilizing our resources and committees to assist in marketing, enlisting volunteers and raising funds for the immediate needs of individuals and other local charities in our community.”

CHANGE functions primarily as a support group for other existing charities. When the organizations go to the foundation for assistance, members provide them with leadership, organization, marketing and fast action networking to help them reach their goals.

The public is invited to go to the Web site and enroll to receive newsletters and to find out how to volunteer.

To contact senior reporter Angie Thompson, call 382-4321.