Although its 2010 golf tournament hasn’t happened yet, the Medical Center Foundation is already setting its sights on 2011.

The group is currently accepting beneficiary applications for the 2011 Medical Center Open Golf Tournament.

“By selecting the next beneficiary now, we will position ourselves to work on the 2011 tournament right after this year’s (event) ends,” said Nancy Colston, the foundation’s executive director.

Since 1997, the foundation has raised more than $2 million through the annual golf tournament. Although the nonprofit agency could easily pour those funds into projects directly benefitting Northeast Georgia Medical Center, foundation members have instead chosen to annually donate proceeds to other organizations.

“(The foundation’s) mission is to improve the health and well-being of the people of Northeast Georgia,” said Christy Moore, medical center manager of community health
improvement.

“We do that by raising funds for both internal hospital projects and outside projects that can have a significant impact on health improvement.”

The proceeds from this year’s tournament, scheduled for October, will go toward purchasing portable defibrillators for Gainesville City and Hall County Schools and also Georgia’s Region II Emergency Medical Services.

“The placement and accompanying education for this special cardiac treatment will make a real difference throughout our region — speeding treatment and saving lives,” Moore said.

Each year, the golf tournament usually raises between $150,000 to $200,000, organizers say.

Area nonprofit organizations that are interested in applying to be the beneficiary of next year’s tournament must submit a letter of interest within the next few weeks.

Among other things, the letter must include a description of how the donated funds will be used. The project must be tangible and must “improve health and quality of life” in Hall County.

Letters must be submitted to the foundation by 5 p.m. Sept. 20.