Share the Dream Spotlight: Bainbridge Improvement Society

This summer, 25 different charitable organizations, scholarships and endowments are participating in the Putnam County Community Foundation Share the Dream program. The fundraising program offers proportionally awarded grant prizes to participants who receive at least 10 donations of $25 or more between May 1 and Aug. 31. Each of the 25 organizations will be highlighted in this series.

The Bainbridge Improvement Society (B.I.S.) provides a hub for community activities and attracts others to use its facilities and increase participation in the Bainbridge community.

The organization’s mission is to serve and improve the quality of life in Bainbridge.

B.I.S. supports and hosts many community events and programs including: Gleaners Mobile Food Pantry monthly, indoor vendor rental space for the Covered Bridge Festival and Spring Fling, enhancements to both the softball and baseball fields, Girl Scouts, Fourth of July fireworks and more.

The Bainbridge Improvement Society is currently focused on preparing for a Fish Fry on June 18, the Town Clean-up on June 16 and helping with the July 4 fireworks weekend.

The Bainbridge Improvement Society came into existence in July 1985 after townspeople organized to raise funds to replace their antiquated snowplow following the Blizzard of ’78. Through these efforts, the Bainbridge Improvement Society’s volunteers became eager to provide additional enhancements to the quality of living in the small town of Bainbridge.

Attention soon shifted to the need for a community building and fundraising efforts began in 1986 with an annual Fall Festival, which continued until 1998.

By 1999, B.I.S. was fully established as a non-profit organization and has been improving the quality of life there since.

The Bainbridge Improvement Society Endowment, established in 2007, better secures the long-term usefulness of the community building and the activities offered by the volunteer organization. B.I.S. volunteers set the policies, schedule activities, maintain the building, pay the utilities and encourage others to participate. Their organization and endowment would love to achieve their hope of financially being able to hire an activities manager.

B.I.S. encourages current and former residents who take pride in their small community and are interested in enhancing the town’s livability to donate. Your donation is an investment in the Bainbridge community for years to come and will make a lasting difference.