The Community Foundation For The CSRA - Grant Information & Application Details

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $11,981,491 (2023)
Success Rate: Approximately 26% (48 awards from ~180-190 applications estimated)
Decision Time: 4-5 months (August deadline to December announcement)
Grant Range: $0 - $15,000
Geographic Focus: Central Savannah River Area (Burke, Columbia, McDuffie, Richmond counties in GA; Aiken, Edgefield counties in SC)

Contact Details

Address: 720 St. Sebastian Way, Suite 160, Augusta, GA 30903

Mailing Address: PO Box 31358, Augusta, GA 30903-3158

Phone: (706) 724-1314

Fax: (706) 724-1315

Email: info@cfcsra.org

Website: www.cfcsra.org

Programs Contact: Lasima Turmon, Director of Programs (706) 724-1314

Overview

Founded in 1995 by a group of business leaders, the Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area (EIN: 58-2184345) has served the Augusta region for over 25 years. The foundation distributed $11.9 million in grants across 188 awards in 2023 and has invested more than $24.3 million in the community since 1997 through its flagship Community Grants Fund, established in partnership with Augusta National Golf Club and other community partners. The foundation operates through a diverse range of funds including donor-advised funds, field of interest funds, and endowments, using a 4.5% spending rule from its Community Grants Fund. Rated 4/4 stars by Charity Navigator with a perfect 100% score, the foundation's mission is "to engage, inform, and inspire donors and nonprofits to build a stronger and more vibrant community." President/CEO Shell Berry leads the organization with a board of diverse community leaders who provide strategic governance through volunteer service.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Grants Program: $0 - $15,000 per award

Annual competitive grant cycle opening in July
Awarded $918,000 to 56 nonprofits in 2024
Awarded $660,000+ to 48 nonprofits in 2025
Application via online portal during summer window

Literacy Initiative Grants: Partner agency grants

$280,000 distributed over 2024-25 school year to 10 partner agencies
Separate application process from Community Grants

Other Grant Opportunities: Various field of interest and donor-advised funds

Specific opportunities vary by fund and donor intent
Information available on foundation website

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on four core areas:

Education/Youth Enrichment - Programs developing skills for fuller, productive lives; STEAM education; afterschool programs; tutoring; educational resource centers
Health/Environment - Fitness programs for special populations (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's); therapeutic services for children with disabilities; mental health services; environmental protection
People in Need - Emergency assistance; food security; housing support; services for veterans and military families; programs addressing poverty
Arts/Culture/History - Youth arts education; community theater; cultural preservation; affordable arts instruction

What They Don't Fund

Grants to individuals
Capital campaigns
Political activities or lobbying
Endowments
Programs or events already completed at time of application
Deficit reduction
Multiple grants to same organization in single cycle (one application per 501(c)(3) per cycle)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Shell Berry - President/CEO

Lasima Turmon - Director of Programs (Augusta native with 14+ years in CSRA nonprofit sector)

Board of Directors - 2024-2026 Executive Committee

James B. Trotter, Esq. - Chair, Partner at Trotter Jones, LLC
Susan E. Nicholson - Chair Elect, Community Volunteer
Dr. Faye Hargrove - Vice Chair, CEO of The Better Choices Group LLC
H. M. Osteen, Jr. - Investment Committee Chair, President/CEO of Financial Holdings of Augusta, Inc.
James Houston Armstrong - Grants Committee Chair, Partner at 818 Sports and Entertainment
C. G. "Pete" Caye, Jr. - Past Chair, The Giddings Group

Additional Board Members

Frank Anderson, William H. Barrett Jr., Braye C. Boardman, Clayton P. Boardman III, Eddie Bussey, John D. Cates, Natalie Schweers Coghill, Zack O. Daffin, Fran Felton Hickman, James M. Hull, Duncan N. Johnson Jr., Ruth A. Knox, Brian J. Marks, Kelley D. Mobley, N. Turner Simkins, Barry L. Storey, William H. Tucker (Esq.), Tom Wyatt

Honorary Board Members

D. Douglas Barnard Jr., Charles H. Bellman, William S. Morris III, Abram J. Seretta

Leadership Quote

President/CEO Shell Berry emphasizes the collaborative nature of the grant process: "The process is broad and allows us to hear directly from the nonprofits in our area regarding the most pressing needs in our community," noting that this connection "continues through the perspective of over 140 volunteers who review the grant applications, conduct site visits and ultimately decide which programs and services should receive this year's funding."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Online Application Portal: Applications submitted through the foundation's online system (cfcsra.fcsuite.com)

Key Application Elements:

Create user account with login credentials
Application can be saved and completed over multiple sessions
Organizations encouraged to submit early drafts for staff feedback before final submission
Detailed budget and program outcomes required

Mandatory Attendance Requirement: Organizations that have NEVER applied for a Community Grant OR have NOT been FUNDED in the last three granting cycles (2023, 2024, or 2025) MUST attend an in-person Grant Seeker Session to be eligible to apply. Applications from organizations in this category that do not attend will not be considered.

Decision Timeline

July: Application opens (typically July 1)
Mid-to-late August: Application deadline
September-October: Staff and volunteer panel reviews; site visits conducted for selected applicants
Late November: Board of Directors approves final grant decisions
Early December: Grant recipients announced at press conference (typically first Friday in December)
Mid-December to January: Award notifications and press releases

Total timeline from application deadline to announcement: approximately 4-5 months

Success Rates

Based on available data:

2024: 56 nonprofits funded
2025: 48 nonprofits funded
2023: 188 total grants awarded (includes all grant programs, not just Community Grants)

While exact application numbers are not publicly disclosed, the competitive review process involving 140+ volunteers and site visits for finalist organizations suggests moderate selectivity. Not all organizations receiving site visits are ultimately funded.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may reapply in subsequent cycles. The foundation accepts one application per 501(c)(3) organization per grant cycle. No specific waiting period is mentioned for unsuccessful applicants, suggesting they can reapply in the next annual cycle.

Reporting Requirements

For Funded Organizations:

Six-month report: Due July 15
Final year-end report: Due January 15 of following year
Summer programs: May submit final report by August 30

Application Success Factors

Site Visit Preparation is Critical

The foundation's process explicitly states that site visits are "the opportunity to secure your organization's chance to receive funding." Not all applications receive site visits—only those advancing through initial review. Organizations should prepare to demonstrate their programs in action and showcase their impact during these visits.

Early Draft Submission Recommended

The foundation encourages organizations to submit proposals for early review so staff can provide feedback. This suggests that incorporating staff guidance before final submission increases application strength.

Budgets and Outcomes Matter

According to the foundation's guidance, "budgets and outcomes play a large role in grant application success." Applications should include detailed, realistic budgets and measurable outcomes demonstrating community impact.

Community Volunteer Perspective

Over 140 community volunteers participate in the review process, conduct site visits, and ultimately decide funding. Applications should be written for a community audience, not just foundation staff, using clear language that resonates with local priorities.

Key Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated on ability to:

Positively impact the community and individuals served
Develop skills enabling fuller, more productive lives
Address significant regional needs
Demonstrate capacity to leverage resources
Show strong administrative and financial management

Recent Funded Project Examples

2024 Grant Recipients:

100 Black Men of Augusta ($13,500) - STEAM and robotics programs with computer programming and culinary arts
Augusta Locally Grown ($15,000) - Increasing healthy food preparation classes
Fighting to Win/Day One Fitness ($15,000) - Improving quality of life for those with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and neurological conditions
Augusta Mini Theatre ($13,500) - Affordable fine arts instruction for youth

2023 Grant Recipients:

American Red Cross CSRA ($15,000) - Service to the Armed Forces programs
Apparo Academy ($15,000) - Therapy services for children with disabilities
Augusta Dream Center ($12,000) - Education resource center technology
Augusta Heritage Academy ($15,000) - Bridge Program for post-COVID student support

Alignment with Foundation Values

The foundation's mission emphasizes engagement, inspiration, and community building. Applications demonstrating collaboration, sustainability planning, and alignment with identified community needs perform well.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Mandatory session attendance: First-time applicants and those not funded in 2023-2025 MUST attend a Grant Seeker Session in person or their application will not be considered
Prepare for site visits: The site visit is your opportunity to secure funding—not all applicants receive one, and receiving one doesn't guarantee funding, so make it count
Submit early drafts: Take advantage of staff willingness to review and provide feedback before the final deadline
$15,000 maximum: Grant requests cannot exceed this cap, so budget accordingly and demonstrate maximum impact for the requested amount
Geographic specificity: Clearly demonstrate how your program directly benefits residents of the six eligible counties (Burke, Columbia, McDuffie, Richmond in GA; Aiken, Edgefield in SC)
Community volunteer reviewers: Write for a broad community audience with clear, jargon-free language—over 140 volunteers from various backgrounds will review your application
Multi-month timeline: Plan for a 4-5 month decision process from August deadline to December announcement; budget your organization's cash flow accordingly

References

Community Foundation for the CSRA Official Website - www.cfcsra.org (Accessed January 2026)
Community Grants Program Page - https://www.cfcsra.org/nonprofits/grant-opportunities/community-grants/ (Accessed January 2026)
2026 Community Grants Guidelines - https://www.cfcsra.org/nonprofits/grant-opportunities/community-grants/2026-community-grants/ (Accessed January 2026)
Board of Directors Page - https://www.cfcsra.org/who-we-are/board/ (Accessed January 2026)
"Community Foundation awards over $660,000 to 48 nonprofits in CSRA" - WRDW News, January 17, 2025
"2024 Community Grant Awards" - Community Foundation for the CSRA Press Release, December 2023
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Community Foundation For The CSRA (EIN: 582184345) - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/582184345 (Accessed January 2026)
Charity Navigator Rating - The Community Foundation for the CSRA - https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/582184345 (Accessed January 2026)
"Community Foundation for the CSRA awards more than $660,000 in grant money to nonprofits" - Post and Courier, January 2025
Contact Us Page - https://www.cfcsra.org/contact-us/ (Accessed January 2026)