On April 16th, at the Otis Redding Center for the Arts, the Community Foundation of Central Georgia (CFCG) celebrated something truly special: the power of generosity, community, and shared purpose.
During our Spring 2025 Nonprofit Grant Announcement on April 16, we proudly awarded $342,500 to 21 local nonprofit organizations across Central Georgia. These grants will support critical initiatives addressing everything from housing and hunger relief to youth development, healthcare, the arts, and education.
The event kicked off with a warm welcome from Karla Redding-Andrews, Vice President & Executive Director of the Otis Redding Foundation, followed by the exciting announcement of this year’s grantees, led by Cyndey Busbee, Chair of the CFCG Grants Committee. We wrapped up with heartfelt remarks from Kathryn H. Dennis, President of CFCG, who captured the spirit of the day perfectly:
“The Community Foundation’s grant announcement is a celebration of what’s possible when generosity meets vision. These grants reflect the incredible work being done across Central Georgia and our deep belief in the power of local organizations to create lasting, meaningful change.”
These awards are made possible through CFCG’s unrestricted funds, which allow us to respond to the region’s evolving challenges with flexibility and impact. Each year, we’re proud to stand alongside local changemakers and provide the resources they need to take their work further.
As Darius D. Maynard, CFCG Program Officer, shared:
“Our Nonprofit Grant Program is an opportunity for us to stand beside the people and organizations doing the real, everyday work of strengthening our communities. These grants are more than just funding—they’re an investment in bold ideas, deep commitment, and a shared vision for a stronger, more connected Central Georgia.”
We’re honored to support these 21 nonprofits and their inspiring missions—and we can’t wait to see the impact they’ll continue to make in the months and years ahead.
Spring 2025 Nonprofit Grant Program Recipients
Be Eccentrich Inc DBA Eccentrich Displays, Inc.
$2,500 for the Peach County Arts & Cultural Center
This grant will transform the old Peach County High School into Peach County’s first Arts and Culture Center, serving as a dynamic hub for creativity, education, and community connection. The center will feature artist studios, workshop spaces, and event areas, driving economic growth, creating jobs, and boosting cultural tourism in rural Georgia, while preserving history and fostering local talent.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia
$21,500 for the 2025 Season of the Macon RBI Program
This grant will support a youth baseball and softball program that serves boys and girls ages 4 to 18, providing access to recreational sports in underrepresented communities. With a mission to boost participation at all levels of play, the program also emphasizes academic achievement, teamwork, and life skills—empowering young athletes and positively shaping their futures.
Children 1st Community Development Services
$16,500 for Houston County Resource Homes
This grant will support Children 1st Community Development Services in expanding programming that reduces placement disruptions and increases the number of trained foster parents and staff. Serving youth in foster care ages 8 to 21—including teens, siblings, and those with special needs—the program focuses on improving care for children with emotional disorders, mental illness, complex medical conditions, and intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Communities in Schools Milledgeville-Baldwin County
$8,500 for Baldwin County Neighborhood Leaders Program
This grant will support the Neighborhood Leaders Program in Oconee Heights, a poverty-stricken community facing high unemployment and limited access to education, technology, and social services. The program identifies, trains, and empowers local residents to become leaders and implement sustainable solutions to address these ongoing challenges.
First Choice Primary Care
$18,000 for Access to Care in East Macon
This grant will support the renovation of a building on Shurling Drive in East Macon, to relocate clinical staff currently working in the former Health Department building on Emery Hwy. The project, partially funded by a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, will include interior renovations and the replacement of signage to increase access to care for the community, particularly those near the Jones County line.
Genesis Joy House Homeless Shelter, Inc.
$22,500 for Where Home and Hope Begin Again Initiative
This grant will support Genesis Joy House Homeless Shelter, Inc. in providing comprehensive services to veterans experiencing homelessness. The project will include outreach efforts to connect individuals with mental health support, food security, housing, and job placement programs, aiming to improve safety, well-being, and long-term stability for veterans in need.
Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, Inc.
$12,500 for Direct Delivery Outreach Program
This grant will support the Girl Scouts’ Direct Delivery/Outreach Program, which provides the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to underserved girls in Bibb County. By bringing programming to locations like schools and Boys & Girls Clubs, the program ensures that girls from all incomes and backgrounds can access the benefits of Girl Scouting, even if they cannot participate in traditional troop settings.
Houston County Habitat for Humanity
$8,000 for Land Development in Oldfield Neighborhood of Perry, Ga.
This grant will support development costs for two lots located at 1336 and 1338 Pierce Street in Perry, GA, including tree removal and site preparation for slab construction. One of the homes is scheduled to begin construction in the summer of 2025, moving the project forward in providing quality housing for the community.
Loaves and Fishes Ministry
$13,500 for Capital Improvement Need.
This grant will support much-needed facility improvements planned for 2025, addressing several critical upgrades to enhance the safety, functionality, and overall experience for those served by the organization.
Middle Georgia Center for Academic Excellence
$21,500 for STEM Scholars: Workforce Preparation Program
This grant will support the STEM Scholars: Workforce Preparation Program, which equips high school students with hands-on experiences and essential skills for careers in growing STEM fields. Through masterclasses, mentoring, and work-shadowing opportunities, students will build proficiency in AI, coding, mathematics, and engineering, while also developing career readiness skills. The program aims to increase exposure to STEM careers and encourage college enrollment in STEM-related majors.
Middle Georgia Community Food Bank
$15,500 Matching Donor for Direct Mail Appeal
This grant will support CFCG as a matching donor for MGCFB’s direct mail program for a second year. By encouraging generous donations, the funding will provide unrestricted operational support, enhancing the organization’s fundraising capacity to serve neighbors in need across a 24-county service area. The appeal will coincide with Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign each September aimed at raising awareness and combating hunger.
Middle Georgia Justice
$23,000 for Access to Justice
This grant will support the provision of civil legal services to low-income residents in Bibb and surrounding counties, including Jones, Twiggs, Houston, Peach, Crawford, and Monroe. With a dedicated staff of attorneys specializing in family law, probate, heirs’ property, adult guardianships, and more, the program ensures access to justice through in-office consultations, electronic case management, and court representation as needed.
Mt. Zion Baptist Church
$14,000 for Mt. Zion Baptist Church Community & Food Outreach
This grant will help Mt. Zion become a satellite food pantry for the Middle Georgia Food Bank, addressing food insecurity in rural households in Upson County and surrounding areas. Through bi-monthly food distribution events, the pantry will provide essential support and ensure reliable access to nutritious food for underserved residents, creating a lasting positive impact on local households
Museum of Arts and Sciences
$22,500 for MAS Educational & Cultural Programming
This grant will support the Museum of Arts and Sciences (MAS) in providing high-quality educational and cultural programming to over 80,000 people annually across Central Georgia and beyond. Of those served, an estimated 30,000 will be pre-K–12 students and accompanying adults who benefit from onsite programs, outreach services, and online distance learning aligned with Georgia Standards of Excellence curriculum requirements.
Next Level Community Development Center Inc.
$23,000 for Camp Zion
This grant will support NLCDC in purchasing two vans to address critical transportation needs for students. After losing a van in an accident and facing issues with an aging vehicle, the organization seeks to restore and expand its capacity to serve students and families. The vans are essential for daily operations, including transporting students from day school, providing rides home for marginalized youth, and ensuring consistent access to program services.
Otis Redding Foundation
$25,000 for the Senior Music Initiative
This grant will support the Otis Redding Center for the Arts in offering new weekly music classes tailored for seniors. The classes will include choral and instrumental sessions, such as piano and guitar, aiming to enhance social cohesion, personal development, and well-being while supporting recovery from depression in the later stages of life.
Rebuilding Together Warner Robins
$13,000 for Safe and Healthy Housing Program
This grant will support RTWR’s safe and healthy housing initiative, which provides free home repairs and modifications for low-income seniors, veterans, and disabled homeowners. The program addresses critical safety and accessibility needs, ensuring stable, hazard-free living conditions for some of the community’s most vulnerable residents.
Rose Hill Preservation & Restoration, Inc.
$10,000 for C.B. Lewis Brick Wall Reconstruction
This grant will support the reconstruction of the C.B. Lewis Brick Wall at Rose Hill Cemetery, which is part of the Black American Oak Ridge Cemetery section. B&B Masonry will restore and rebuild the collapsed wall and exposed brick vault using existing bricks and NHL 3.5 lime mortar, ensuring historical accuracy and preservation.
Visit Macon, Inc.
$15,000 for Marche de Noel: Macon Holiday Market
This grant will support Visit Macon in developing a European-style holiday market in historic Downtown Macon. The market will showcase a mix of classic European market vendors offering products, snacks, and drinks, alongside local vendors that reflect the uniqueness of Macon. The goal is to create a fun, festive atmosphere that feels authentic while celebrating the distinctive charm of the city.
Warner Robins Little Theatre, Inc.
$19,500 for Building Renovations and Enhancements
This grant will support necessary upgrades to the main theater and its associated buildings, including the workshop, props shop, and costume building, which have fallen into disrepair. The funding will be used for safety, code compliance, and capacity improvements, including electrical, structural, and safety upgrades, as well as outdoor lighting and access ramps. Additional funds are needed following the sale of part of the property to a nearby church to ensure these improvements are completed.
YouthUp, Inc.
$16,500 for Empowering Youth Success
This grant will support YouthUp in continuing its successful strategy of providing anger management and conflict resolution skills to middle school students and Social Emotional Learning to elementary school students in Bibb County. With upcoming classes scheduled for Southside, Hartley, and Weaver schools, the program helps students practice conflict resolution through role play and teaches them to extend grace to others, fostering emotional growth and positive behavior.
For more information on the Nonprofit Grant Program, click here.