← Back to US Funders Directory

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta Inc

Annual Giving
$195.0M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.5M
Decision Time
3mo
Success Rate
10%

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 (specialized programs)
  • Geographic Focus: 23-county metro Atlanta region, with some national/international grants

Contact Details

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 organizations. 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 emphasizes community-informed grantmaking that focuses on places and systems, working to secure prosperity for all who call Atlanta home.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

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 organizations with annual operating budgets under $2 million. Recent funding: $1,084,998 to 35 arts organizations in early 2023. Application method: open application cycles.

A Place to Perform Grants to nonprofit literary and performing arts organizations 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 Program Seeks to increase civic engagement and voter participation rates in communities of color 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 neighborhood needs), South Fulton (serving legacy residents), and Thomasville (historic Southeast Atlanta neighborhood).

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds across five primary fields:

  • Arts, Culture, and Creative Enterprises: Strengthening arts organizations and creative sector infrastructure
  • Community Development: Place-based initiatives and neighborhood revitalization
  • Education: Programs 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 color

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 color

The Foundation prioritizes organizations founded and/or led by Black, Indigenous, or other people of color (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 organization 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 emphasizes collaboration: "I hope to unleash the power of collaboration to galvanize 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 color, and our grants focusing on income and wealth are an important first step in our commitment to investing in BIPOC communities." Her team centers 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:

  • Peter Berg (The Temple, co-chair)
  • M. von Nkosi (Institute for Local Innovations, co-chair)
  • Doug Hooker
  • Julia Houston (Equifax)
  • Wonya Lucas (Crown Media Family Networks)
  • Kelli Stewart (LEAD)
  • Ryan Wilson (The Gathering Spot)
  • Jen Bennecke (Chair, Atlanta Speech School Board; Board member, Odyssey Atlanta)

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 organization to engage with the GLM site, you must register both as an individual user and set up your organization 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 programs accept applications throughout the year
  • Fixed deadlines: Some programs 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 programs.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly detailed. Organizations 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 emphasizing 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 Color Over 70% of recent grantees are founded and/or led by Black, Indigenous, or other people of color. The Foundation explicitly prioritizes BIPOC-led organizations 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 program design and implementation.

4. Systems Change Orientation Gabriel emphasized 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 neighborhoods receive particular attention.

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

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

Recent Funding Examples:

  • Q3 2023: 104 organizations 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 organizations (under $2M budgets) received $1,084,998
  • TogetherATL inaugural grants: Six organizations 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 emphasizes 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
  • Emphasize BIPOC leadership: If your organization is founded or led by people of color, make this visible—it's a clear funding priority
  • Budget matters: For general operating support and most programs, typical grants range $10,000-$75,000; scale your request appropriately unless applying to specialized programs with higher ranges

References

← Back to US Funders Directory