North Georgia Community Foundation Inc
North Georgia Community Foundation Inc. is a public charity based in Gainesville, Georgia, established in 1985. It helps people and nonprofits give to causes in their community and supports nonprofits through grants, scholarships, professional development, and affordable office space.
North Georgia Community Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: North Georgia Community Foundation Inc gave $11.9M across 245 grants in 2025 (avg $49K), mostly in Georgia. 34% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $11,892,507
- -40.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 245
- +15.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $48,541
- -48.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $182,111,364
- +44.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 34% first-time grantees (84 of 244, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Georgia (95% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to North Georgia Community Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The Community Grant program uses an application process. The foundation’s website says the 2026 cycle is closed; it does not provide a current application deadline in the supplied information.
- Contact
Mailing address: 340 Jesse Jewell Pkwy Se, Gainesville, GA 30501
Phone: (770) 535-7880
Website: https://ngcf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
22 open opportunities from North Georgia Community Foundation Inc
Audrey Davenport Scholarship Grant
North Georgia Community Foundation Inc
Amount
US $1,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Chantal and Tommy Bagwell Family Scholarship Grant
North Georgia Community Foundation Inc
Amount
US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Charles Black Construction Company, Inc. Scholarship Grant
North Georgia Community Foundation Inc
Amount
US $1,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who North Georgia Community Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Humane Society of Northeast Georgia ($1.4M). Together the top 10 received $5.1M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($6,324), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
960 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 782 grants of 960 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its service area as North Georgia. Its 2026 Community Grant eligibility information lists Banks, Barrow, Dawson, Fannin, Forsyth, Franklin, Gilmer, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Jackson, Lumpkin, Pickens, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, and White counties. A separate Community Impact Grant program description lists a 15-county area that does not include Barrow, Gilmer, or Pickens. That program listing gives a May 31, 2026 deadline, which has passed.
In filing year 2025, 95% of grant dollars went to recipients in Georgia; the remaining reported shares were Alabama and Florida at 1% each, with less than 1% each reported for Puerto Rico and Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 245 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is North Georgia Community Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
34%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 84 of 244 grantees (34%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $65K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 55% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+14%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $10.5M (2022) to $20.0M (2024). In 2025 it made 245 grants totaling $11.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Humane Society of Northeast Georgia Gainesville, GA | Animal Welfare | $1,355,337 |
| Brenau University Gainesville, GA | Education | $621,086 |
| Eagle Ranch Chestnut Mountain, GA | Human Services | $611,883 |
| Boy Scouts of America - Northeast G Jefferson, GA | Education | $540,947 |
| Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville, GA | Environmental | $393,068 |
| Northeast Georgia Health System Fou Gainesville, GA | HEALTH | $383,058 |
| Northeast Georgia History Center Gainesville, GA | Arts & Culture | $353,224 |
| Gainesville First United Methodist Gainesville, GA | Religion | $342,699 |
| The Hambidge Center for the Creativ Rabun Gap, GA | Arts & Culture | $244,649 |
| Elachee Nature Science Center Inc Gainesville, GA | Environmental | $217,789 |
Ready to take the next step with North Georgia Community Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Filing-year figures are reported below. The foundation’s website separately reported $181.8 million in assets as of November 30, 2025.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $182,111,364 | $63,239,090 | $16,602,167 | $11,892,507 | 245 | $9,331,930 |
| 2024 | $126,048,419 | $25,767,110 | $24,140,383 | $20,038,898 | 213 | $10,601,017 |
| 2023 | $122,001,601 | $20,384,753 | $15,654,092 | $12,121,375 | 186 | $5,240,695 |
| 2022 | $106,866,039 | $21,735,189 | $13,407,696 | $10,453,032 | 149 | $3,056,187 |
| 2021 | $121,312,465 | $29,287,202 | $18,152,334 | $15,220,813 | 167 | $8,211,933 |
| 2020 | $106,802,389 | $29,688,852 | $13,271,073 | $11,060,837 | 143 | $4,433,939 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to help people and nonprofits invest generously in the lives of those who call its community home. Its grant programs support organizations and programs intended to improve quality of life in North Georgia.
Its 2025 grants included support categorized as animal welfare, education, human services, environmental work, health, arts and culture, and religion. Examples of grantees’ work include Brenau University’s education mission, the Northeast Georgia History Center’s work preserving and sharing regional history, and Elachee Nature Science Center’s environmental education and conservation mission. The Sautee-Nacoochee Community Association describes its work as preserving and sharing the area’s historical, cultural, and environmental resources.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 245 grants totaling $11,892,507. Grant amounts ranged from $5,119 to $1,355,337, with a median of $15,000. Separately, the foundation stated that it awarded over $13 million in grants and scholarships during the year.
The largest grants listed for 2025 included $1,355,337 to the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia for animal welfare; $621,086 to Brenau University for education; $611,883 to Eagle Ranch for human services; and $540,947 to Boy Scouts of America – Northeast G for education. Other notable grants included $393,068 to Atlanta Botanical Garden for environmental work, $383,058 to Northeast Georgia Health System Foundation for health, and $353,224 to Northeast Georgia History Center for arts and culture.
The foundation’s website describes Community Grants as application-based funding for nonprofits working to improve life in North Georgia. The 2026 Community Grant cycle closed on August 17, 2026. For that cycle, applicants applied according to whether their budgets were above or below $1 million, could request support for their greatest need, and were limited to one Community Grant application per organization. Recipients must provide a final report on how grant funds were used. Funds may not support political campaigns or lobbying. Community Grant recipients remain eligible for other NGCF grant opportunities in the same year, including Opportunity Grants and separate fundholder grant cycles.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Michelle Prater as President-CE, Lisa Warwick as Senior VP FI, Megan Evans as VP Communica, and Margaux Dolenc as VP Nonprofit. It also lists Andy Bangs, Scott Barloga, Mark Bell, Chad Black, Jeff Cohen, and Carole Ann Daniel as board members.
North Georgia Community Foundation Inc is led by Michelle Prater, President-Ce since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 4 of 28 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Michelle Prater
President-Ce
President - → President-Ce, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$158K (2020) → $259K (2025)
Randall Frost
Chair
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Lisa Warwick
Senior Vice President Fi
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$135K (2024) → $157K (2025)
Megan Evans
Vice President Communications
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$109K (2024) → $121K (2025)
Margaux Dolenc
Vice President Nonprofit
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$107K (2025)
Brian Steines
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Chad Black
Board Member
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Kristi Griffin
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Mary Helen McGruder
Board Member
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Christina Jones
Board Member
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Steve Mickens
Board Member
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Tom Johnston
Board Member
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Don Grimsley
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
John Vardeman
Board Member
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Tate O'Rouke
Board Member
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Jason Voyles
Board Member
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Mark Bell
Board Member
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Andy Bangs
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Carole Ann Daniel
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Jeff Cohen
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Martha Spence
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Scott Barloga
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Trey Wood
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Hart Payne
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
James McCoy
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Kelly Miles
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Rachel Marshall
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Steven Smith
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (25)
- Former: Brian Horton (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Linda Hardie (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Mary Hart Wilheit (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Robert Shippey (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Tracy Moon (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Charlie Fiveash (2023–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Steve Cooper (2023–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Ann Nixon (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Blair Diaz (2020–2023) — Chair
- Former: Brian Whalen (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Mary Gowan (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Tammy Caudell (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Lydia Sartain (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Cal Johnson (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Linda Foster (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Brian Tam (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Natalie Teston (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Phill Bettis (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Rob Fowler (2020–2021) — Chair
- Former: Bob Prim (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Greg Rhodes (2020) — Board Member
- Former: John Jay Jacobs (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Lance Carpenter (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Phillippa Lewis Moss (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Rusty Hopkins (2020) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $259K, to Michelle Prater (President-Ce). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about North Georgia Community Foundation Inc
How much does North Georgia Community Foundation Inc give each year?
North Georgia Community Foundation Inc gave $11.9M across 245 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $20.0M across 213 grants.
What is North Georgia Community Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
North Georgia Community Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $48,541, across 245 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from North Georgia Community Foundation Inc that year got $18K on average.
Where does North Georgia Community Foundation Inc give grants?
North Georgia Community Foundation Inc gives mostly in Georgia: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Gainesville, GA (63 grants), Cumming, GA (33 grants), Atlanta, GA (23 grants) and Athens, GA (7 grants).
Does North Georgia Community Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 245 grants with a stated purpose on North Georgia Community Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education" (82 grants), "Human Services" (72 grants) and "Religion" (36 grants).
Who are North Georgia Community Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
North Georgia Community Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Humane Society of Northeast Georgia ($1,355,337), Brenau University ($621,086) and Eagle Ranch ($611,883), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($6,324), which are not listed by name. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is North Georgia Community Foundation Inc?
North Georgia Community Foundation Inc reported $182.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $63.2M.
What does North Georgia Community Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to help people and nonprofits invest generously in the lives of those who call its community home. Its grant programs support organizations and programs intended to improve quality of life in North Georgia. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from North Georgia Community Foundation Inc?
The Community Grant program uses an application process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is North Georgia Community Foundation Inc's EIN?
North Georgia Community Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-1610318. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 19, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 22, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 30, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 27, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work North Georgia Community Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in North Georgia Community Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). North Georgia Community Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/north-georgia-community-foundation-inc-morg_83207b2b451442fe9a3d8583d93c3407
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_581610318_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{North Georgia Community Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/north-georgia-community-foundation-inc-morg_83207b2b451442fe9a3d8583d93c3407},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. 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 North Georgia Community Foundation Inc'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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