The Community Foundation for the Central
The Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area (CFCSRA) is a public charity and community foundation established in 1995 by a group of business leaders in Augusta, Georgia. Operating as a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation serves as a philanthropic intermediary connecting donors with nonprofits and community initiatives throughout the Central Savannah River Area region. The foundation operates through a diverse range of funds including donor-advised funds, field of interest funds, and endowments.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$182.6M
+14.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$16.1M
+40.2% YoY
Grant Count
196
+4.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$82K
+34.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: To engage, inform and inspire donors and nonprofits to build a stronger and more vibrant community.
Core Objectives:
- Cultivate generosity by giving donors the tools and information they need to make a significant difference in the community
- Strengthen nonprofits by connecting organizations to financial resources, training and opportunities for meaningful collaboration
- Engage the community around issues that matter to all residents
Primary Funding Areas: Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services
Grantmaking
The foundation distributes grants through multiple competitive programs:
Grant Range
Up to $15,000
Review Cycle
August
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation serves the Central Savannah River Area, including:
- Georgia: Burke, Columbia, McDuffie, and Richmond counties
- South Carolina: Aiken and Edgefield counties
Primary funding also extends to Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- $183 million (2024)
- $182.6 million (2023)
- $160.2 million (2023)
Annual Revenue & Expenses:
- Revenue: $32.8 million (2024); $19.4 million (2023)
- Expenses: $19.1 million (2024); $14.4 million (2023)
- Total Liabilities: $46.8 million (2024)
Staffing: 9 dedicated staff members
Rating: Four-Star rating with 100% score from independent charity evaluation
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $182,590,923 | $160,175,077 | $140,234,965 |
| Revenue | $32,827,191 | $19,377,290 | $21,653,699 |
| Expenses | $19,148,159 | $14,394,085 | $10,287,079 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $7,089,887 | $2,034,954 | $2,833,627 |
| 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
16 open opportunities from The Community Foundation for the Central
Augusta Bar Foundation Grant Program
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE CENTRAL
Amount
US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Border Bash Foundation Grant
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE CENTRAL
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
CFCSRA: Community Grants
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE CENTRAL
Amount
Up to US $15,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta ($1,434,819), American Red Cross of Georgia ($797,500), Block by Block ($487,016).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 100 BLACK MEN OF AUGUSTA INC AUGUSTA, GA | CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $33,000 |
| 143 MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL INC AUGUSTA, GA | CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $44,000 |
| ACTS (AREA CHURCHES TOGETHER SERVING) AIKEN, SC | CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $19,100 |
| ADAMSON MS SUSAN RICE ATLANTA, GA | CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $20,000 |
| AIKEN JUNIOR GOLF FOUNDATION DBA FIRST TEE OF AIKEN GRANITEVILLE, SC | CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $25,000 |
| AIKEN TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION AIKEN, SC | CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $16,000 |
| ALL IN FOR MILLER INC EVANS, GA | CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $10,000 |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION ATLANTA, GA | CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $5,100 |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION - CSRA AUGUSTA, GA | CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $7,500 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS OF GEORGIA AUGUSTA, GA | CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $797,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Shell Berry: President/CEO
- Lasima Turmon: Director of Programs
The organization is governed by a board of diverse community leaders who provide strategic governance through volunteer service.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHELL KNOX BERRY | PRESIDENT/CEO | 40 | $222,600 |
| ELIZABETH FINCH | VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE | 40 | $140,000 |
| REBECCA WALLANCE | VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS | 40 | $100,170 |
| JAMES B TROTTER | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| SUSAN E NICHOLSON | VICE ELECT | 1 | — |
| FAYE HARGROVE | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JOHN CATES | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 1 | — |
| CHARLES G CAYE JR | PAST CHAIR | 1 | — |
| FRANK ANDERSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JAMES JIM HOUSTON ARMSTRONG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| WILLIAM H BARRETT JR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JAMES J BERNSTEIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| THOMAS M BLANCHARD JR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRAYE C BOARDMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CLAYTON P BOARDMAN III | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| EDDIE BUSSEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NATALIE SCHWEERS COGHILL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ZACK O DAFFIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JAMES M HULL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DUNCAN N JOHNSON JR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RUTH A KNOX | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRIAN MARKS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| H MONTAGUE OSTEEN JR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| N TURNER SIMKINS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BARRY L STOREY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| WILLIAM H TUCKER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation announced 2026 Community Grants awardees, continuing its annual cycle of competitive grant distributions. In recent years, the Community Grants Fund has awarded over $735,000 to 59 nonprofits in the CSRA region, demonstrating sustained commitment to local impact.
2026 Community Grants Awardees - CFCSRASubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Community Foundation for the Central fund?
**Mission Statement:** To engage, inform and inspire donors and nonprofits to build a stronger and more vibrant community. **Core Objectives:** • Cultivate generosity by giving donors the tools and information they need to make a significant difference in the community • Strengthen nonprofits by connecting organizations to financial resources, training and opportunities for meaningful collaboration • Engage the community around issues that matter to all residents **Primary Funding Areas:** Educ…
How do I apply for a grant from The Community Foundation for the Central?
The foundation distributes grants through multiple competitive programs: **Flagship Programs:** • Community Grants Fund (established in partnership with Augusta National Golf Club and other community partners) • Harrisburg Literacy Initiative • Women in Philanthropy Grant • Mary Warren Foundation Grant • JB White Fund Grant • Sand Hills Garden Club Grant Program • The Porter Fleming Foundation • The St. Joseph Foundation Grants • Augusta Bar Foundation Grant Program **Grant Characteristics:** •…
Where does The Community Foundation for the Central make grants?
The foundation serves the Central Savannah River Area, including: • **Georgia:** Burke, Columbia, McDuffie, and Richmond counties • **South Carolina:** Aiken and Edgefield counties Primary funding also extends to Florida.
What size grants does The Community Foundation for the Central award?
In 2024, The Community Foundation for the Central awarded 196 grants totaling $16.1M — an average of about $82K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Community Foundation for the Central's EIN?
The Community Foundation for the Central's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-2184345. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Community Foundation for the Central's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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