Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta
Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau is a public charity based in Augusta, Georgia. It promotes tourism and supports activities intended to attract visitors and create economic opportunities in the Augusta area.
Key facts about Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta
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.
- EIN
- 58-2287663
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,043,219
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- Average grant
- $86,935
- Median grant
- $31,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 12, 2024)
- Total assets
- $7,096,234
- Primary geography
- Georgia (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The website lists application materials for Tourism Marketing and Tourism Product Development grants. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$7.1M
-7.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.0M
+19.9% YoY
Grant Count
12
-7.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$87K
+29.9% YoY
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. 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to “develop and promote our community, inspiring people to have unforgettable experiences.” Its website describes the Tourism Grant Program as supporting tourism marketing and promotion, tourism product development, attractions, special events, and festivals intended to foster local economic impact and increase visitation from outside Augusta.
The 2024 grants were reported for tourism. Recipients included organizations with varied community and cultural activities. For example, the Greater Augusta Sports Council says its goal is to attract, create, and support sporting activities that enhance community quality of life and economic well-being. The Greater Augusta Arts Council says it promotes arts in the CSRA through events, radio, and marketing, and coordinates community events. Augusta Museum of History says it collects, preserves, and interprets Augusta-area history; Historic Augusta says it preserves historic sites and structures in Augusta and Richmond County. Phinizy Center for Water Sciences describes its work as supporting sustainable watersheds and economic vitality through research, education, and connecting people with nature. Augusta Westobou Festival says it supports artists and presents creative artistic experiences.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the organization reported 12 grants totaling $1,043,219. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $627,321, with a median of $31,000. The largest awards were $627,321 to Greater Augusta Sports Council, $147,000 to Greater Augusta Arts Council, and $71,000 to Augusta Canal Authority. Other grants included $37,500 to Morris Museum of Art, $34,768 to Augusta Pride, and $32,500 to Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. All 12 grants went to recipients in Georgia.
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
Rolling / Open
Destination Augusta Tourism Marketing Grant
Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Destination Augusta Tourism Product Development Grant
Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing shows that 100% of grant dollars went to Georgia recipients; all listed recipients were in Augusta.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
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.
Grant Insights
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%).
Giving History
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 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,096,234 | $4,515,957 | $4,934,845 | $1,043,219 |
| 2023 | $7,684,888 | $5,959,563 | $3,751,394 | No grants reported |
| 2022 | $5,625,270 | $4,173,044 | $3,354,802 | No grants reported |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,096,234 | $7,684,888 | $5,625,270 |
| Revenue | $4,515,957 | $5,959,563 | $4,173,044 |
| Expenses | $4,934,845 | $3,751,394 | $3,354,802 |
| Net Investment Income | $163,155 | $67,572 | $6,302 |
Data update history
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
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. Listed board members are Parker Dye, Sean Frantom, Cary Goldsmith, Anne Catherine Murray, and Michelle Naval.
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).
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 1331, Augusta, GA 30903
Phone: (706) 823-6600
Website: https://visitaugusta.com
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 our 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 website lists application materials for Tourism Marketing and Tourism 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 September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Destination Augusta by hand.
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