istoric Linwood Foundation, Inc. was founded in 1997. It was the result of an effort by the Lizzie Rutherford Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy to form a Friends of Linwood Cemetery in order to focus attention on the care of the historic cemetery, long neglected by the city.

Their first public meeting drew so many enthusiastic, concerned citizens that a full blown private, non-profit corporation was established, with eighteen members on its Board of Directors. An Executive Director was hired and work was systematically begun to survey the lots, to restore and repair some sites, and to fulfill its mission. Linwood Cemetery is owned by the city of Columbus, Georgia. The Board quickly developed a Memorandum of Understanding with the city defining the responsibilities of each group, so that the Foundation could restore and maintain the cemetery in partnership with the City, the Sexton and staff.

Mission Statement: To preserve and maintain Linwood Cemetery as a historic and cultural site of importance to the city of Columbus and its citizens, to assist the city of Columbus in restoring, preserving, improving, maintaining, and managing Linwood Cemetery, and to educate the public with respect to the cultural and historic values of Linwood Cemetery, and for other educational and charitable purposes.