Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta
Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta is based in Augusta, Georgia, and is listed as a public charity. Destination Augusta describes itself as the destination marketing and management organization contracted with the City of Augusta to promote, develop, and brand the destination, with the goal of attracting visitors and creating economic opportunities and vitality. The organization’s filing states that it was formed in 1996.
Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta at a glance
In short: Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta gave $1.0M across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $87K), mostly in Georgia. 0% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,043,219
- +19.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- -7.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $86,935
- +29.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $31,000
- Total assets
- $7,096,234
- -7.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 12, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Georgia (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta
- How to Apply
-
The Tourism Marketing Grant has a rolling application, and the website provides application materials for both the marketing and product development grants. Applicants must be documented not-for-profit, governmental, or quasi-governmental entities. Grants are reviewed by the Tourism Grant Committee, composed of the Mayor Pro Tem, two commissioners, and four Destination Augusta board members. The Tourism Product Development Committee has the same composition and oversees that program’s allocation.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 1331, Augusta, GA 30903
Phone: (706) 823-6600
Website: https://visitaugusta.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta
Augusta City Arts Grants- Combined General Operating & Projects
Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta
Amount
Up to US $7,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Destination Augusta Tourism Marketing Grant
Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling
Destination Augusta Tourism Product Development Grant
Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Greater Augusta Sports Council ($627K). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
61 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 49 grants of 61 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s grant program is described as serving the Augusta area. All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in Georgia, and the listed 2024 recipients were in Augusta, Georgia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 0 of 12 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. How we count
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $585K (2021) to $1.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Augusta Sports Council Augusta, GA | Tourism | $627,321 |
| Greater Augusta Arts Council Augusta, GA | Tourism | $147,000 |
| Augusta Canal Authority Augusta, GA | Tourism | $71,000 |
| Morris Musuem of Art Augusta, GA | Tourism | $37,500 |
| Augusta Pride Inc Augusta, GA | Tourism | $34,768 |
| Lucy Craft Laney Musuem of Black History Augusta, GA | Tourism | $32,500 |
| Band of Brothers Augusta Inc Augusta, GA | Tourism | $29,500 |
| Augusta Museum of History Augusta, GA | Tourism | $19,000 |
| Historic Augusta Augusta, GA | Tourism | $12,458 |
| Phinizy Center for Water Sciences Augusta, GA | Tourism | $12,002 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,096,234 | $4,515,957 | $4,934,845 | $1,043,219 | 12 | $163,155 |
| 2023 | $7,684,888 | $5,959,563 | $3,751,394 | $870,107 | 13 | $67,572 |
| 2022 | $5,625,270 | $4,173,044 | $3,354,802 | $747,904 | 11 | $6,302 |
| 2021 | $5,601,646 | $3,296,940 | $2,665,342 | $585,189 | 8 | $2,006 |
| 2020 | $5,028,013 | $2,091,653 | $2,628,405 | $837,721 | 17 | $-24,178 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to develop and promote the community, inspiring people to have unforgettable experiences. Its filing describes its program work as providing services to Augusta-Richmond County to promote the growth and development of conventions, tourism, and special events in the Augusta area.
Its Tourism Grant Program supports tourism marketing, promotion, attractions, special events, and festivals intended to foster local economic impact through tourism and increase visitation from outside the Augusta area. The Tourism Product Development Grant supports new tourism products and enhanced experiences designed to attract visitors; the committee may use up to 25% of tourism grant funds for this purpose.
Eligible applicants for these programs are documented not-for-profit, governmental, or quasi-governmental entities. Among the 2024 grantees, the Greater Augusta Sports Council describes its mission as attracting, creating, and supporting sporting activities, while the Greater Augusta Arts Council describes work promoting arts through community events and other activities. The Morris Museum of Art says it collects and exhibits art of the American South and aims to enrich the public. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not Destination Augusta’s.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Destination Augusta reported 12 grants totaling $1,043,219. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $627,321, with a median of $31,000. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Georgia.
The largest grants included $627,321 to Greater Augusta Sports Council for tourism, $147,000 to Greater Augusta Arts Council for tourism, and $71,000 to Augusta Canal Authority for tourism. Other listed recipients included Morris Museum of Art ($37,500), Augusta Pride Inc ($34,768), Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History ($32,500), Band of Brothers Augusta Inc ($29,500), and Augusta Museum of History ($19,000); each grant was reported for tourism.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists James Heffner as chair, Donald King as vice chair, Randall Blumberg as treasurer, Tristan Davis as secretary, and Brandon Haddock as immediate past chair. Parker Dye, Sean Frantom, Cary Goldsmith, Anne Catherine Murray, and Michelle Naval are listed as board members.
Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta is led by Bennish Brown, CEO on every filing since 2020; 1 of 23 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Bennish Brown
CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$172K (2020) → $197K (2024)
James Heffner
Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brandon Haddock
Immediate Past Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2021
Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Phil Wahl
Board Member
Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2021
Immediate Past Chair → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Randall Blumberg
Treasurer
Secretary → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sue Parr
Board Member
Board Member → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cary Goldsmith
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Corey Rogers
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Derek May
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donald King
Vice Chair
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Oden
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Shaffer
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Naval
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Parker Dye
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tristan Davis
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anne Catherine Murray
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sean Frantom
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stacy Pulliam
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Angie Cox
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brendan England
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Grogan
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marty Matfess
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Pippin
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Dennis Williams (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Brandon Garrett (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Chris Bird (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Theron Stephens (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Dayton Sherrouse (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Joel Hortenstine (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Tripp Harrison (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Krista Wight (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Mary Davis (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Nancy Glaser (2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $197K, to Bennish Brown (CEO).
Frequently asked questions about Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta
How much does Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta give each year?
Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta gave $1.0M across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $870K across 13 grants.
What is Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta's typical grant size?
Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta's median grant in 2024 was $31,000, and its average grant was $86,935, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta give grants?
Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta gives mostly in Georgia: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Augusta, GA (12 grants).
Does Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Tourism" (12 grants).
Who are Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta's largest grantees?
Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta's largest 2024 grantees include Greater Augusta Sports Council ($627,321), Greater Augusta Arts Council ($147,000) and Augusta Canal Authority ($71,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 81% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta?
Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta reported $7.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.5M.
What does Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to develop and promote the community, inspiring people to have unforgettable experiences. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta?
The Tourism Marketing Grant has a rolling application, and the website provides application materials for both the marketing and product development grants. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta's EIN?
Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-2287663. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 19, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 8, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/augusta-convention-and-visitors-bureau-inc-dba-destination-augusta-morg_43005eefd1824286b04181be17209b36
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_582287663_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Augusta Convention \& Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/augusta-convention-and-visitors-bureau-inc-dba-destination-augusta-morg_43005eefd1824286b04181be17209b36},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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