North Georgia Community Foundation
The North Georgia Community Foundation (NGCF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity and community foundation established in 1985, based in Gainesville, Georgia. The organization supports nonprofit organizations and donors by building, distributing, and preserving philanthropic assets to enhance community spirit and quality of life across North Georgia. NGCF manages more than 500 charitable funds established by individuals, families, companies, and nonprofits, and operates the NGCF Nonprofit Community Center, which houses 14 local nonprofit organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$126.0M
+3.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$20.0M
+65.3% YoY
Grant Count
213
+14.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$94K
+44.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The North Georgia Community Foundation helps people and nonprofits invest generously in the lives of those who call our community home.
Vision: North Georgia—a caring community where giving is a way of life.
Primary Funding Areas:
- Education
- Health
- Human Services
- Animal Welfare
- Art and Culture
- Environment
- Philanthropy and Grantmaking
Grantmaking
NGCF operates two primary grant programs:
Grant Range
$500–$25,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NGCF serves a 15-county region in North Georgia, with headquarters in Gainesville, Georgia. The foundation also supports organizations in Tennessee and Utah through specific donor-advised funds.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $126,048,419
- Total Revenue: $25,767,110
- Total Expenses: $24,140,383
- Total Liabilities: $4,690,000
- Annual Giving: $21,542,168
Historical Growth: Under Michelle Prater's leadership since 2015, the foundation has tripled its assets from $42 million to $126 million.
Operational Details:
- 10 employees
- Operates a donor-advised fund
- 501(c)(3) designation since September 1985
- EIN: 58-1610318
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $126,048,419 | $122,001,601 | $106,866,039 |
| Revenue | $25,767,110 | $20,384,753 | $21,735,189 |
| Expenses | $24,140,383 | $15,654,092 | $13,407,696 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $10,601,017 | $5,240,695 | $3,056,187 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
23 open opportunities from North Georgia Community Foundation
Audrey Davenport Scholarship Grant
NORTH GEORGIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
US $1,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Chantal and Tommy Bagwell Family Scholarship Grant
NORTH GEORGIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Charles Black Construction Company, Inc. Scholarship Grant
NORTH GEORGIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
US $1,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Michelle Prater – President & CEO (since 2015)
- James E. Mathis – President Emeritus
- Abigail Carter – Vice President of Strategic Initiatives
- Margaux Dolenc – Vice President of Nonprofit Engagement
- Lisa Warwick – Senior Vice President of Finance
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHELLE PRATER | PRESIDENT-CE | 40 | $248,071 |
| LISA WARWICK | SENIOR VP FI | 40 | $134,959 |
| MEGAN EVANS | VP COMMUNICA | 40 | $109,071 |
| ANDY BANGS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SCOTT BARLOGA | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MARK BELL | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CHAD BLACK | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JEFF COHEN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| STEVE COOPER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CAROLE ANN DANIEL | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CHARLIE FIVEASH | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| RANDALL FROST | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| DON GRIMSLEY | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| KRISTI GRIFFIN | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| LINDA HARDIE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| BRIAN HORTON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TOM JOHNSTON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CHRISTINA JONES | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TRACY MOON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MARY HELEN MCGRUDER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| STEVE MICKENS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TATE O'ROUKE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MARTHA SPENCE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ROBERT SHIPPEY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| BRIAN STEINES | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| JOHN VARDEMAN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JASON VOYLES | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MARY HART WILHEIT | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TREY WOOD | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2025 Community Grants Program:** NGCF announced the 2025 Community Grants cycle with applications and decisions following the standard timeline.
2025 Community Grants - North Georgia Community Foundation**2025 Opportunity Grants:** The foundation awarded opportunity grants to North Georgia nonprofits in 2025.
2025 Community Grants - North Georgia Community Foundation**Thomas Family Legacy (2025):** Following Anne Thomas's passing in March 2025, a legacy gift totaling tens of millions of dollars was entrusted to NGCF. This gift established endowments benefiting 12 nonprofits and churches in Gainesville, Georgia, and Highlands, North Carolina, including Brenau University's Nursing Program and Eagle Ranch.
NGCF awards more than $545K in community grants to North Georgia nonprofits**Nonprofit Center Expansion:** NGCF operates two buildings as part of the NGCF Nonprofit Community Center, housing 14 local nonprofit organizations and providing resources and support to the nonprofit sector.
NGCF awards more than $545K in community grants to North Georgia nonprofitsContact Information
Main Office: 340 Jesse Jewell Parkway SE, Suite 605 Gainesville, GA 30501 Phone: 770-535-7880 Email: info@ngcf.org Website: www.ngcf.org
NGCF Nonprofit Community Center: 615 Oak Street Gainesville, GA 30501
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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