The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $195 million (2023)
• Total Assets: $1.32 billion (2023)
• Success Rate: ~10% for competitive grants
• Decision Time: 10-12 weeks
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $75,000 (typical); $50,000 - $500,000 (specialised programmes)
• Geographic Focus: 23-county metro Atlanta region, with some national/international grants

Contact Details

• Website: https://cfgreateratlanta.org
• Email: grants@cfgreateratlanta.org
• Phone: (404) 688-5525
• Address: 191 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1000, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Grant Portal: Grant Lifecycle Manager (GLM) - registration required for all applicants

Overview

Founded decades ago, The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta has grown to become one of the nation's largest community foundations, holding $1.32 billion in assets and distributing approximately $195 million annually to more than 3,200 organisations. Since Frank Fernandez became President and CEO in August 2020, the Foundation has intensified its focus on equity of opportunity as a primary social and racial challenge facing metro Atlanta. The Foundation's current five-year strategic plan, TogetherATL (2022-2026), embraces equity and shared prosperity as its number-one priority. In 2023, the Foundation made 1,330 grants, with over 70% of funding allocated within the 23-county metro Atlanta region. The Foundation emphasises community-informed grantmaking that focuses on places and systems, working to secure prosperity for all who call Atlanta home.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Housing Stability Fund Grants focused on eviction prevention services, financial assistance, and services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Geographic focus: Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties. Application cycle: rolling throughout the year.

Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund Supporting independent arts organisations with annual operating budgets under $2 million. Recent funding: $1,084,998 to 35 arts organisations in early 2023. Application method: open application cycles.

A Place to Perform Grants to nonprofit literary and performing arts organisations in the 11-county Atlanta region for access to performance venues and facilities. Application method: rolling basis.

Grants to Green Provides environmentally focused knowledge and funding to strengthen nonprofits, helping metro Atlanta nonprofits renovate or build healthier workplaces that are energy, water, and environmentally efficient. Application method: online portal.

Power and Leadership Programme Seeks to increase civic engagement and voter participation rates in communities of colour and shift power into the hands of community citizens. Application method: invitation and open calls.

Vote Your Voice Field Strengthening Grants (in partnership with Southern Poverty Law Center) Grant range: $50,000 - $500,000. Focus on strengthening voter participation infrastructure.

TogetherATL Place-Based Grants Focused on three specific communities: South Cobb (serving residents and determining pressing neighbourhood needs), South Fulton (serving legacy residents), and Thomasville (historic Southeast Atlanta neighbourhood).

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds across five primary fields:

• Arts, Culture, and Creative Enterprises: Strengthening arts organisations and creative sector infrastructure
• Community Development: Place-based initiatives and neighbourhood revitalisation
• Education: Programmes supporting educational opportunity and access
• Health and Human Services: Basic needs, housing stability, and social services
• Civic Engagement: Voter participation and community leadership, particularly in communities of colour

Systems Change Focus Areas (TogetherATL Strategic Priorities):

• Equity in the arts sector
• System-level change in housing and addressing homelessness
• Income and wealth gaps across racial lines
• Growing representation and leadership among communities of colour

The Foundation prioritises organisations founded and/or led by Black, Indigenous, or other people of colour (over 70% of Q3 2023 grantees fit this description).

What They Don't Fund

• Private family foundations (donor-advised fund restriction due to IRS rules)
• Tickets to fundraising events (galas, golf tournaments) where cost is not fully tax-deductible
• Qualified charitable distributions to donor-advised funds (can be made to designated funds, field-of-interest funds, and scholarship funds only)

Note: Complete exclusion criteria not publicly detailed; contact grants@cfgreateratlanta.org for specific eligibility questions.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Frank Fernandez, President & CEO (since August 2020) Fernandez succeeded Alicia Philipp, who led the organisation for 43 years. On his priorities, Fernandez stated: "Equity of opportunity is one of the primary social and racial challenges facing our region, and pursuit of greater equity for all has been my personal North Star for the past 20 years." He describes the Foundation's work as focused on "the things we all want: a safe, comfortable home that we can afford; the opportunity to exercise our gifts and talents and earn a living wage; and the chance to provide a foundation for our children, so their dreams can take flight." His leadership approach emphasises collaboration: "I hope to unleash the power of collaboration to galvanise metro Atlanta to address issues of inequity in the region."

Ayana Gabriel Turner, Vice President, Community Impact Leads and drives achievement of the Foundation's equity goals and impact across the Atlanta metro region. Gabriel stated: "In order to create equitable communities, we must first acknowledge the historic, systemic disinvestment of communities inhabited primarily by people of colour, and our grants focusing on income and wealth are an important first step in our commitment to investing in BIPOC communities." Her team centres place-based, community-informed grantmaking.

Kevin Allen Nash, Director, Philanthropic & General Counsel Responsible for ensuring legal compliance, overseeing all legal matters including governance, regulatory compliance, risk management, and contractual agreements.

Board of Directors

The Board establishes policy, sets priorities, and makes critical decisions as dedicated volunteers. Notable current board members include:

• Doug Hooker (Board Chair, 2023-2025)
• Peter Berg (The Temple)
• Julia Houston (Equifax)
• Wonya Lucas (Crown Media Family Networks)
• Ryan Wilson (The Gathering Spot)

Full board biographical information available at cfgreateratlanta.org/board-of-directors.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation uses an online Grant Lifecycle Manager (GLM) system, referred to as the Grants Portal. All applicants, new and returning, must register in the updated portal before submitting their first application.

Registration Process:

1. If you are the first person from your organisation to engage with the GLM site, you must register both as an individual user and set up your organisation in their system
2. You can register in advance or when ready to start your first application
3. The portal will send emails throughout registration and application to provide guidance and next steps

Application Methods:

• Rolling basis: Several programmes accept applications throughout the year
• Fixed deadlines: Some programmes operate on specific grant cycles
• Invitation: Certain strategic initiatives are by invitation only

Support During Application:

• Contact grants@cfgreateratlanta.org with questions about registration and the application system
• The Foundation describes itself as "super accessible" and encourages potential applicants to reach out for guidance
• Phone: (404) 688-5525

Decision Timeline

Standard Timeline: 10-12 weeks from application submission to decision notification

Example Recent Cycle:

• Application deadline: July 3
• Review period: July - September
• Notification: September 22-26

Notification Methods: Email communication through the Grants Portal system

Success Rates

The Foundation has an approximately 10% success rate for competitive grants like General Operating Support, indicating fierce competition. In 2023, the Foundation made 1,330 grants total (including competitive and donor-advised grants) from approximately 13,000+ applications submitted to competitive programmes.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly detailed. Organisations are encouraged to contact grants@cfgreateratlanta.org to discuss feedback on unsuccessful applications and guidance on reapplication timing and strategy.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's public guidance and recent grantmaking patterns, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Alignment with TogetherATL Strategic Priorities The Foundation is laser-focused on its 2022-2026 strategic plan emphasising equity and shared prosperity. Applications should clearly demonstrate how proposed work advances these goals, particularly addressing systems change in housing, arts equity, income/wealth gaps, or civic engagement.

2. Leadership by Communities of Colour Over 70% of recent grantees are founded and/or led by Black, Indigenous, or other people of colour. The Foundation explicitly prioritises BIPOC-led organisations as part of its equity commitment.

3. Community-Informed Approach The Foundation values "community-informed grantmaking" and place-based work. Applications should demonstrate genuine community engagement and resident voice in programme design and implementation.

4. Systems Change Orientation Gabriel emphasised the Foundation's commitment to "changing the systems that prohibit our region from achieving lasting positive impact." Strong applications address root causes and systemic barriers rather than just providing services.

5. Geographic Specificity While the Foundation funds nationally and internationally, priority goes to the 23-county metro Atlanta region. Place-based applications for South Cobb, South Fulton, or Thomasville neighbourhoods receive particular attention.

6. Showing the Full Organisation Drawing from their scholarship application guidance (which reflects organisational philosophy): "The Foundation wants to know you, the applicant." Don't just focus on financial need or programme statistics—help reviewers understand your organisation's unique approach, resilience, and impact.

7. Demonstrating How You've Overcome Challenges The Foundation values organisations that "share how you've overcome an obstacle rather than just giving a sad story." Show organisational resilience and problem-solving capacity.

Recent Funding Examples:

• Q3 2023: 104 organisations received $3,239,762, including Atlanta Film Society, T. Lang Dance, and L.E.A.D. Center for Youth
• Early 2023 Arts Grants: 35 small and midsize arts organisations (under $2M budgets) received $1,084,998
• TogetherATL inaugural grants: Six organisations received $645,000 for systems-change work

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Lead with equity: Explicitly address how your work advances equity of opportunity and shared prosperity—these are non-negotiable priorities under current leadership
• Know the 10% odds: With a ~10% success rate for competitive grants, applications must be exceptionally strong and closely aligned with stated priorities
• Engage before applying: The Foundation emphasises accessibility and welcomes pre-application questions at grants@cfgreateratlanta.org—use this resource to test fit and strengthen your approach
• Think systems, not just services: The Foundation seeks "system-level change" rather than band-aid solutions; frame your work in terms of addressing root causes and transforming institutions
• Register early: The GLM portal system requires advance registration; don't wait until the deadline approaches
• Emphasise BIPOC leadership: If your organisation is founded or led by people of colour, make this visible—it's a clear funding priority
• Budget matters: For general operating support and most programmes, typical grants range $10,000-$75,000; scale your request appropriately unless applying to specialised programmes with higher ranges

References

• Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta official website: https://cfgreateratlanta.org (accessed December 2025)
• Grant Opportunities page: https://cfgreateratlanta.org/grant-opportunities/ (accessed December 2025)
• GuideStar Profile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/58-1344646 (accessed December 2025)
• Foundation Directory (Candid): https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=ATLA001 (accessed December 2025)
• "Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta names Frank Fernandez CEO": https://cfgreateratlanta.org/2020/06/26/community-foundation-names-frank-fernandez-ceo/ (accessed December 2025)
• "Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta advances equity and shared prosperity by launching TogetherATL": https://cfgreateratlanta.org/2022/06/01/togetheratl-and-new-grant-strategy/ (accessed December 2025)
• "Grantmaking update from Ayana Gabriel": https://cfgreateratlanta.org/2021/10/25/grantmaking-update-2/ (accessed December 2025)
• TogetherATL page: https://cfgreateratlanta.org/togetheratl/ (accessed December 2025)
• "Community Foundation announces more than $3.2 million in third quarter grants": https://cfgreateratlanta.org/2023/10/05/q3-2023-grants/ (accessed December 2025)
• Board of Directors page: https://cfgreateratlanta.org/board-of-directors/ (accessed December 2025)
• Our Team page: https://cfgreateratlanta.org/our-team/ (accessed December 2025)
• 2023 Annual Report: https://cfgreateratlanta.org/2023ar/ (accessed December 2025)
• Financial Information: https://cfgreateratlanta.org/financial-information/ (accessed December 2025)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/581344646 (accessed December 2025)
• Inside Philanthropy profile: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/georgia-grants/community-foundation-for-greater-atlanta (accessed December 2025)
• "What Makes a Successful Scholarship Application?": https://cfgreateratlanta.org/2017/02/01/makes-successful-scholarship-application/ (accessed December 2025)