Nonprofit Sector Sustainability Fund Grant

Note: This fund is designed to support long-term sustainability and adaptation and is not intended to replace lost federal funding.
Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
Since its inception in 1951, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta has focused, however imperfectly, on improving the lives of those throughout our region by giving to programs that help it thrive.
For its first 65 years, and in collaborations with a growing cohort of philanthropists, the Foundation invited donors to invest in the causes and opportunities that resonated with them most. In 2018, as a result of globally-regarded Brookings Institute naming Atlanta the #1 city for income inequality in the country, the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors made the decision to turn its focus to this critical community need, and work began that year on fostering equitable outcomes.
Nonprofits across metro Atlanta are facing growing challenges due to rising costs, delayed or decreasing government funding, and increasing demand for services. Many organizations are navigating difficult decisions around staffing and programs while continuing to serve vulnerable communities.
In response, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, in partnership with local philanthropic organizations and donors, has established the Nonprofit Sector Sustainability Fund. This support will be coordinated through our partner, Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF). With 45 years of experience, NFF’s Consulting team is uniquely equipped to help nonprofits navigate changing funding scenarios impacting their business models, cash flow and sustainability. The Nonprofit Sector Sustainability Fund will provide multi-year, general operating support grants to nonprofits experiencing the combined challenges of increasing need, increasing costs, and decreasing resources.
The fund aims to help nonprofits strengthen financial sustainability, explore new operating models and build capacity through multi-year, general operating support grants and targeted technical assistance based on the needs of nonprofits in this moment. By combining financial and non-financial resources, the fund aims to support a resilient nonprofit sector both now and in the long term.
Capacity Building and Technical Assistance
The selected applicants will also have the opportunity to build their capacity and receive technical assistance through:

• Monthly in-person or virtual cohort convenings

Regular coaching, training, and support from a consultant with expertise in identified organizational challenges, such as scenario planning, diversification of funding, and strategic partnerships

Eligibility

Nonprofit organizations across all sectors
While there is no particular sector restriction at this time, the Foundation does want to be responsive to those most impacted by current executive orders/policies.
Organizations with $2M or less annual operating budgets, that have operated for at least 3 years 6 months or less operating reservesNo property or other type of owned assets
Located or serving populations within the 11-county metro Atlanta region: Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties
Organizations that demonstrate direct loss of government funding (federal, state, local) AND/OR organizations that demonstrate significant funding loss (private and government) over the past one to two years, due to changing external factors or other economic conditions
Organizations that have the capacity, desire, and willingness to participate fully in capacity building, technical assistance, and peer learning. The peer learning component of this grant includes a yearly in-person convening and regular informational peer-learning conversations.
Organizations that have done some contingency and/or scenario planning or thinking but need additional support
Organizations that have already self-selected for merger or strategic partnership will be considered for support to complete that merger or partnership