Philanthropy Plays Key Role For Lanier

While J. Smith Lanier stresses service to clients as the backbone of its success, the agency's support of community philanthropy is an equally important aspect of its mission to establish a stellar reputation in its markets.

Of the five states the company does business in, one of its most important philanthropic events is the annual J. Smith Lanier & Co. Charity Classic to Benefit the Brain Tumor Foundation for Children.

The event, noted Gary Ivey, president and chief operating officer, is the most widely attended benefit golf tournament in the Atlanta area, with 400 golfers taking part. This year's event raised over $220,000, bringing the total over the four years the agency has run the fundraiser to over $700,000.

Over the past two years, the firm has also matched over $200,000 to fund the Chattahoochee Fuller Center Project, which has built over 14 homes to eliminate substandard housing in the Greater Valley Region of Georgia and Alabama.

The firm also supports many other charitable events, including cancer walks. “We try to be valuable to everyone we touch,” said Mr. Ivey. “For our company, it is a cultural thing.”