Funding Priority

Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate a majority of the following:

• Ability to scale proven solutions to make a larger impact.
• Reach a broad segment of the community
• Improve organizational efficiency
• Encourage self-help and/or self-sufficiency on the part of disadvantaged or disabled individuals
• Promote matching gifts and/or enhance fundraising capabilities
• Collaborate with other nonprofit groups to provide innovative, more efficient approaches to solving community issues

PLEASE NOTE:

• Operational expenses are usually not funded through this grant program.
• The Foundation will consider applications from faith-based organizations for non-sectarian, community outreach programs.
• Requests for scholarships to send children to summer or after school camp will not be funded.

Geographic Restrictions

Grant applications must have a direct relevance to the Central Georgia region.

Maximum Grant Amount

The maximum grant awarded by the Community Foundation of Central Georgia through the Nonprofit Grant Program is $25,000. Please note that the average grant size ranges between $10,000 – $15,000.

Frequency an Organization can Apply

While there are two application deadlines per year, CFCG will consider only one proposal from any one nonprofit organization during a twelve-month period. In addition, any organization with two years of consecutive funding from the Community Foundation will be required to wait two years before submitting an additional application. For example, if an organization is funded in the June 2021 and June 2022 cycles, that organization will be ineligible to apply again until June 2024. Any organization that has received prior funding from the Community Foundation must have a final report on file at CFCG prior to the submission of a new grant application, in order to be considered for funding.

CFCG Grant Award Schedule

After the application deadline, CFCG staff will perform due diligence on all grant applications. The due diligence process will include a conversation with the grant contact to gather further information that can help the Grants Committee and Board of Directors make their decisions. The CFCG Grants Committee will review the applications and propose grants to the CFCG Board of Directors for final approval. The Nonprofit Grants will be announced within three months of the application deadline. Applicants will be notified in writing of the Board’s decision in late September for the June deadline and in late March for the December deadline.

How to Apply

You will need a User ID and Password to access the application. Click here to register. Please note that it will take at least one business day to process a new registration for the Web Portal; do not wait until the week of the deadline to register. Once your registration is processed, complete the CFCG Nonprofit Grant Application. You will be required to upload the following documents as PDF files. For samples, click on the links below.

Project Budget Summary – should include all revenue sources (requested, pending, and received) and expenses for the specific project.

Photo of your project or organization – should be one image that shows your project or organization in action.

Board Authorization Letter – should be a statement from the organization’s Board of Directors authorizing the request and agreeing to complete the project if funded.

Board of Directors/Trustees List – should include directors’/trustees’ individual terms of office and their individual percentage of participation in the organization’s Board meetings.

Organization’s Current Annual Operating Budget – should be a report of the organization’s planned budget indicating projected revenue and expenses for the current fiscal year.

Current IRS Determination Letter – should indicate 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. If no designation, a statement detailing the status of an application with the Federal Government or future application plans may be submitted, along with a statement of charitable purpose.

Most Recent Financial Audit Report or Most Recent IRS Form 990 – If your organization has both, please submit the Financial Audit Report.

Reporting Requirements

All Nonprofit Grant Recipients must complete a final project report including a financial report. Final reports are due within sixty days after depletion of the grant funds, prior to submitting a new grant application, or no later than one year from the deadline date of the cycle in which you applied for your grant, whichever is earliest. For example, if you received a grant in the June 30, 2023, cycle, your final report is due no later than June 30, 2024. To be eligible for future grants, the Community Foundation must have completed final reports on file for all previously awarded grants when submitting a new grant application.

Beginning January 1, 2024, all CFCG Competitive Grant Program reports must be submitted in the online grants portal. No reports will be accepted by mail or in paper form. When a report is ready to be completed, you will receive an automatic email from the portal with details on how to complete the report.

How to talk about your grant

Here are a few important notes on how to talk about your Community Foundation of Central Georgia funded project.

Terminology:  In all materials, describe your funding as a Nonprofit Grant from the Community Foundation of Central Georgia.

News Releases:  Promote your project with a news release to the local media. If you’re inviting the media out to cover your project or event, please invite us too by sending the information to grants@cfcga.org. We would also like to share your news releases with our contacts, please include grants@cfcga.org as a release contact.

Social Media:  Spread the word about your project through social media channels such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. You can find the Community Foundation on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, under the name CFCGA, and on Instagram under “cfcentralga”. We encourage you to tag us in your posts.

Logo:  You are welcome and encouraged to use the Community Foundation of Central Georgia logo on any collateral materials about your project, including websites, email blasts, brochures, and posters. You can download our logo by clicking here. A copy of any materials created should be submitted with your final report.

How these grants are made possible

Unrestricted Funds allow the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors the discretion to make grants to address the most urgent needs and opportunities in the community. The following funds make the Nonprofit Grant Program possible:

1. L. D. and Minnie Lee Brown Fund
2. Fickling Family Fund
3. The Fund for Memorials and Honoraria
4. Ross and Geneva Gardner Fund
5. General Fund
6. William S. Hutchings Fund
7. Jones Freeman Ross Family Fund
8. Kruger Fund
9. Edward Miraglia, Jr. Fund
10. Olson Fund
11. Hazel Elizabeth Rogers Fund
12. John F. Rogers, Jr. Fund
13. Emily Walker Fund
14. Walters Family Fund
15. Zuver Fund

The Community Foundation of Central Georgia believes that equal opportunity is important for the continuing success of our organization. In accordance with state, federal, and municipal laws, this Foundation intends to comply with these laws which preclude discrimination because of race, disability, creed, religion, gender, age, national origin or any other protected classification. 

Previous Grant Recipients

See the full list of programs funded through our spring 2023 grant cycle.