CFCSRA: Community Grants

The Community Foundation for the CSRA offers funding to support charitable organizations in Georgia and South Carolina. With a focus on arts, education, health, and services for people in need, the foundation encourages innovative proposals. Grants may reach up to $15,000, supporting impactful community initiatives. Organizations must demonstrate long-term benefits and meet specific eligibility criteria, ensuring funds are used effectively to enhance community welfare and quality of life for residents.

NOTE: We will consider funding new organizations for start-up or operating support. However, because we are interested in funding work that continues to address community needs long after the grant funds are depleted, these requests are reviewed carefully on a case-by-case basis and must make a convincing case. There is even an opportunity to submit an application early (pre-proposal deadline) and get feedback from our staff prior to submitting the final version ( full proposal deadline).
Inspired by Mission – Succeeding Through Action
Long supported by the generosity of the Masters Tournament – as well as other organizations and individuals throughout our region – the Community Grants program provides dependable funding for necessary and outstanding philanthropic work by local non-profits. These grants are distributed through a competitive process designed to help nonprofit organizations meet their mission.
Funding Priorities
Arts/Culture/History:
Recognizing the positive impact arts, cultural and historical organizations have on a community, we welcome innovative and high-quality applications in this area.
Education/Youth Enrichment:
We welcome applications from organizations that provide enrichment and educational opportunities to disadvantaged children, youth and adults. Examples include: job skill training and/or placement, after school or summer programs, leadership, tutoring, GED and literacy programs.
Health/Environmental:
Some examples of programs in this funding area include: environmental research or management, animal services, programs that support sustainable community and backyard gardens, medical clinics, drug rehabilitation programs, medical programs for persons with disabilities, and mental illness.
People in Need:
This category is generally, but not exclusively for human service programs that work with people in need. Examples include feeding, housing, financial assistance, programs serving the homelessness, and programs for recently incarcerated individuals.
Funding
We do not set a minimum amount for grant awards. We ask that requests not exceed $15,000. We will only accept one grant application per 501(c)(3) per Community Grants Program cycle.

Eligibility

The Community Foundation for the CSRA considers grant applications from organizations that:Are determined as charitable under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, public entities or other charitable, educational or cultural organizations.Provide programs and services to the following counties in Georgia: Richmond, Columbia, McDuffie, Burke and in South Carolina: Aiken and Edgefield.

Ineligibility

We do not fund applications in support of the following:Grants for individuals
Lobbying legislators or influencing elections
Programs that require participation in religious services and/or education as a condition of receiving services
Special fundraising events/celebration functions
Marketing endeavors and personal research, unless the marketing is directly connected to the program in your grant application
Core operating expenses for public and private elementary and secondary schools and public and private colleges and universities
Regranting
Projects that are typically the funding responsibility of federal, state or local governments
Scholarship programs; however, exceptions are made for summer camp or afterschool program scholarships
Programs that have already taken place or will be completed in the current calendar year