Community Foundation For Northeast Georgia Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $12,307,114 (2023)
• Total Assets: $79,004,678
• Grant Range: Varies by program (recent awards ceremony distributed $395,000 across 36 grants)
• Geographic Focus: Northeast Georgia (primarily Gwinnett County and surrounding areas)
• Total Granted Since 1985: Over $100 million
• Charity Navigator Rating: 97% (Four-Star)

Contact Details

Website: cfneg.org

Phone: 770-813-3380

Email: info@cfneg.org

Address: 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 220, Duluth, GA 30097

Grant Inquiries: Contact DePriest Waddy, President and CEO at dwaddy@cfneg.org

Overview

Founded in 1985 as the Gwinnett Foundation and renamed Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia in 2002, this community foundation has granted over $100 million to nonprofits serving Northeast Georgia. With total assets of $79 million and annual giving of over $12 million (2023), the foundation strengthens communities by providing leadership, addressing community needs, and assisting individuals and organizations with their charitable giving. The foundation operates through various funds, including the Good2Give Community Fund, which provides the majority of grant funding. In 2023, the foundation distributed $12,307,114 in grants across 251 awards, impacting arts, education, faith-based organizations, community service, and healthcare. The foundation earned a Four-Star rating (97%) from Charity Navigator, reflecting strong financial health and accountability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Community Foundation's Good2Give Community Fund provides the primary funding for grants, along with help from generous fundholders. The foundation holds an annual grant awards celebration (typically in May) where grants are announced to area nonprofits.

Recent Grant Activity:

• 2023: $12,307,114 distributed across 251 awards
• 2022 Annual Grant Celebration: 36 grants totaling $395,000 (with challenge grants bringing total impact to $735,000)

Priority Areas

The Community Foundation focuses on four key areas of community impact:

1. Homelessness - Supporting organizations addressing housing insecurity and homelessness
2. Food Insufficiency - Funding food banks, pantries, and nutrition programs
3. Healthcare - Supporting health access and medical services for underserved populations
4. Education - Funding educational programs and opportunities

The foundation also supports arts organizations and nonprofits working in community service.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed. Contact the foundation directly for guidance on eligibility and funding restrictions.

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

DePriest Waddy, President and CEO

• Joined the Community Foundation in June 2022 after a nationwide search
• Nearly 30 years of nonprofit and corporate leadership experience
• Previous positions: CEO of Families First, leadership roles at American Hospital Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, United Way of Greater Atlanta
• On the foundation's approach: "Connecting people who care with causes that matter. There is a spiritual element in our work that connects the Community Foundation to a higher power of service and obedience."
• On maximizing impact: "I was impressed with how the Community Foundation galvanized leaders from every facet of the community, and I look forward to continuing this great work and helping philanthropists understand how we can maximize dollars spent with great up to date information."

Lynn Nguyen, Fundholder Experience Manager

• 18 years of experience in technology, HR, consulting, and higher education
• Guides fundholders in their philanthropic journeys

Kimberly Yoo, CFO

• Works through JP Latz Advisors
• Financial advisory background including Credit Suisse First Boston

Karyl Kaye Miller, Executive Assistant

• 30 years of administrative experience
• Manages administrative support and special events
• Dream: "To engage large corporate organizations to partner with the Community Foundation"

Staffing

The organization employs a full-time staff of three, supplemented by consultants in planned giving, marketing, event planning, and accounting. The board represents a cross-section of the business, nonprofit, and philanthropic communities in the region.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation does not maintain detailed public information about their grant application process on their website. Nonprofits interested in applying for grants should contact DePriest Waddy directly at dwaddy@cfneg.org to learn more about the application process and requirements.

Based on available information:

• The foundation holds an annual grant awards celebration (typically in May)
• Grants are funded through the Good2Give Community Fund and various fundholders
• The foundation focuses on 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving Northeast Georgia

Decision Timeline

Grant awards are announced at an annual celebration, historically held in May. Specific timelines from application to decision are not publicly documented. Contact the foundation for current application cycles and decision timelines.

Success Rates

In 2023, the foundation made 251 grant awards totaling $12,307,114. Specific success rates (percentage of applications approved) are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Contact the foundation directly for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not publish detailed application guidance, the following insights emerge from their work:

Focus on Community Impact: The foundation prioritizes organizations addressing their four key focus areas: homelessness, food insufficiency, healthcare, and education. DePriest Waddy emphasizes the foundation's commitment to "connecting people who care with causes that matter."

Northeast Georgia Connection: The foundation serves organizations working in Northeast Georgia, with a particular focus on Gwinnett County and surrounding areas.

Examples of Funded Organizations (from 2022 grant cycle):

Education: Georgia Gwinnett College, Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Gwinnett County Public Library, Special Kneads and Treats, Prospera Georgia

Food Insufficiency: Atlanta Community Food Bank, Feed My Sheep Lawrenceville, Cooperative Ministry, North Fulton Community Charities

Healthcare: Asian American Resource Foundation, Families First, Freedom Path Counseling, Mosaic Georgia, Pregnancy Resource Center of Gwinnett, Summit Counseling Center

Homelessness: Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children's Shelter, Home Repairs Ministries, Hope Clinic, Rainbow Village, Salvation Army, Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries

Transformational Outcomes: CEO DePriest Waddy notes: "I have seen transformational outcomes based on philanthropists and like-minded individuals coming together to solve a pressing need."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Direct contact is essential - The foundation does not have a detailed public application portal; reach out to DePriest Waddy (dwaddy@cfneg.org) to learn about current opportunities
• Align with priority areas - Focus on how your work addresses homelessness, food insufficiency, healthcare, or education in Northeast Georgia
• Geographic focus matters - The foundation serves Northeast Georgia, particularly Gwinnett County and surrounding communities
• Community impact emphasis - Demonstrate how your organization addresses pressing community needs and creates transformational outcomes
• Annual grant cycle - Plan for an annual grant awards announcement, typically held in May
• Strong financial health - The foundation's Four-Star Charity Navigator rating and $79 million in assets demonstrate stability and commitment to the region
• Relationship-driven approach - With a small staff and community-focused mission, building relationships with foundation leadership is important

References

• Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia official website: https://cfneg.org/ (accessed January 2026)
• About page: https://cfneg.org/about/ (accessed January 2026)
• Apply for a Grant page: https://cfneg.org/nonprofit-partners/grant/ (accessed January 2026)
• Good2Give Community Fund: https://cfneg.org/good2give/ (accessed January 2026)
• Contact page: https://cfneg.org/contact/ (accessed January 2026)
• Charity Navigator profile: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/581557995 (accessed January 2026)
• Cause IQ profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/community-foundation-for-northeast-georgia,581557995/ (accessed January 2026)
• "Meet our new CEO DePriest Waddy": https://cfneg.org/news/meet-our-new-ceo-depriest-waddy/ (accessed January 2026)
• Gwinnett Magazine: "Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia Awards Record Amount of Grants" (accessed January 2026)