Community Foundation of South Georgia Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $10,699,674 (2024)
• Total Assets: $132,545,796 (2024)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $5,000 (South Georgia Legacy Fund)
• Geographic Focus: 35 counties in South Georgia
• Founded: 1996
• Total Funds: 363

Contact Details

Physical Address: 114 West Jackson Street, Thomasville, GA 31792
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2654, Thomasville, GA 31799-2654
Phone: (229) 228-5088
Fax: (229) 228-0848
Website: www.cfsga.net
EIN: 58-2210876

Key Staff Contacts:

• David Carlton, Executive Director - Oversees all aspects of the Foundation and relationships
• Claire Bowen, Director of Donor Services - Manages grants and scholarships (primary contact for applicants)
• Lisa Hitt, Controller - Manages financial operations

Overview

The Community Foundation of South Georgia Inc, established in 1996, has grown to become one of the region's most significant philanthropic resources, managing assets exceeding $132.5 million across 363 funds. As a 501(c)(3) public charity, the Foundation serves 35 counties throughout South Georgia with the mission "to encourage giving, inspire action and improve lives in South Georgia." Since inception, the Foundation has awarded over $170 million in grants, achieving a milestone of $100 million in grants by 2015. In 2024 alone, the Foundation distributed $10.7 million in grants and received $9.6 million in gifts. The Foundation operates through multiple fund types including 174 donor-advised funds, 8 designated funds, 28 field-of-interest funds, 54 scholarship funds, 83 agency endowments, and 7 general funds. Under the leadership of Executive Director David Carlton since 2007, the Foundation has more than doubled its impact while maintaining a focus on building organizational capacity and responding to community needs across rural South Georgia.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

South Georgia Legacy Fund

• Grant Range: $1,000 - $5,000
• Annual Pool: $30,000 total available
• Application Method: Annual cycle with fixed deadline (typically October)
• Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations serving the 35-county service area
• Total Awarded to Date: $245,000 to 44 organizations since inception

Hosea Hall & Lilly Eason Vann Fund for Thomas County

• Grant Range: $1,000 - $2,000
• Annual Pool: $10,000 total available
• Application Method: Annual cycle with fixed deadline (typically July)
• Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations serving Thomas County, Georgia
• Focus: Ongoing programs and capacity building for Thomas County nonprofits
• Total Awarded to Date: $56,000 to 16 organizations since 2019

Public Education Funds

• Grant Range:
  • Brooks County, Thomas County, Thomasville City: Up to $500 per grant
  • Grady County: Up to $1,000 (mini-grants) and up to $5,000 (maxi-grants)
• Annual Impact: Over $32,000 awarded to 42 educators (2025)
• Application Method: Annual cycle for teachers in specific school systems
• Eligibility: Teachers in Brooks County, Grady County, Thomas County, and Thomasville City School Systems
• Focus: Innovative classroom projects beyond traditional school funding
• Total Awarded to Date: Over $652,000 since inception

Scholarship Programs

• Number of Funds: 54 scholarship funds
• Annual Impact: $305,045 awarded in 110 scholarships to students from 28 high schools (2024)
• Application Method: Online portal through scholarship management system
• Eligibility: Primarily graduating high school seniors and currently enrolled college students from the 35-county service area

Priority Areas

The South Georgia Legacy Fund specifically seeks to support organizations that demonstrate:

• Community Need Response: Projects planned within operating budget that address identified community needs
• Capacity Building: Opportunities to build organizational capacity for future success and sustainability
• Demonstrated Community Support: Evidence of community backing for the work
• Strong Leadership: Committed leadership teams
• Skilled Implementation: Capable teams to execute proposed projects

Recent grant recipients (2024) included organizations focused on:

• Youth development and mentoring (Boys and Girls Clubs, Young Life, Jacob's Ladder)
• Basic needs and food security (Second Harvest, Called to Care)
• Family support services (Helping Mamas, The Haven)
• Victim services and counseling (Oak House CAC, Samaritan Counseling Center)
• Community support services (LAMP, The Bridge of Tiftarea)

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not explicitly stated on their website, the Foundation's grant programs require:

• Organizations must have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or 501(c)(3) equivalent
• Primary office and/or services must be located within the Foundation's 35-county service area
• Projects must demonstrate organizational capacity and sustainability planning

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

David Carlton, Executive Director (since 2007)

• Oversees and manages all aspects of the Foundation
• Manages relationships with donors, nonprofit organizations, professional advisors, and board members
• Quote on $100 million milestone: "We are blessed to have had the opportunity to serve the people and charities of South Georgia for the last 20 years. This milestone is a reflection of the heart of our donors to support the incredible communities that we all love so much."

Lisa Hitt, Controller (since 1998)

• Manages daily office operations and financial management
• Oversees all finance, accounting, and administrative functions
• Manages relationships with investment partners and accounts for $132+ million in assets

Claire Bowen, Director of Donor Services

• Oversees the Foundation's due diligence process
• Manages scholarship programs and grant administration
• Develops partnerships with donors and nonprofits
• Primary contact for grant applicants

Board of Directors

Executive Board:

• Eric Hooper (Chairman) - Partner at Moore, Clarke, Duvall & Rodgers P.C.
• Josh Bell (Vice Chairman) - Attorney, Owner of Law Office of Joshua C. Bell
• Clay Sewell, Jr. (Secretary) - Partner with Alexander & Vann LLP, Attorneys at Law
• John McDuffie (Treasurer) - CPA, Partner with Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC

Board Members:

• Fraley Carlton - Investment Advisor, President of Pentas Wealth Management, Moultrie
• Mike Grimsley - Co-Founder and President of Ashwood Development Company, Thomasville
• Bill Holland - Partner with Coleman Talley LLP, Valdosta
• Melvin Hugans - Community Reinvestment Officer at Thomasville National Bank
• Dan Jeter - Co-owner of Standard Discount Corporation, Chairman of Ameris Bank, Thomasville
• Boone Kennedy - Assistant Vice President/Lender at First Port City Bank
• Larry Mims - Retired Senior Judge
• Fortson Turner - Owner of Turner's Fine Furniture, Thomasville
• Cile Warr - Former Development Director of Grace Christian Academy, Bainbridge

The Board also includes a Board Emeritus with 22 additional members representing the Foundation's long history of community leadership.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

South Georgia Legacy Fund:

• Application Deadline: Typically mid-October (October 15, 2025 for the 2026 cycle)
• Application Method: Online application through the Foundation's website
• Review Process: Applications reviewed by the Grants Committee with recommendations made to the full Board of Directors for final approval
• Notification: Grant recipients announced and grants awarded in December

Hosea Hall & Lilly Eason Vann Fund for Thomas County:

• Application Deadline: Typically mid-July (July 15, 2025 for the 2026 cycle)
• Application Method: Online application through the Foundation's website
• Geographic Requirement: Organizations must serve Thomas County, Georgia

Public Education Funds:

• Application Process: Teachers apply directly through the Foundation's online portal
• Application Period: Applications typically accepted in fall for spring projects
• Award Timing: Grants awarded in December for Spring classroom implementation

Decision Timeline

• Application Review Period: Approximately 2 months from deadline to decision
• Committee Review: Grants Committee reviews all applications
• Board Approval: Full Board of Directors makes final approval
• Announcement: December (for both South Georgia Legacy Fund and Vann Fund)
• Grant Distribution: Shortly after announcement

Success Rates

South Georgia Legacy Fund 2024:

• Applications Received: Nearly 50 applicants
• Grants Awarded: 11 recipients
• Approximate Success Rate: 22%

South Georgia Legacy Fund 2023:

• Applications Received: Nearly 50 applicants
• Grants Awarded: 10 recipients
• Approximate Success Rate: 20%

These statistics indicate a competitive application process with approximately 1 in 5 applications receiving funding.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation does not explicitly state restrictions on reapplication for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations that have received funding in previous years (such as Boys & Girls Club of Valdosta, LAMP, The Haven, and The Bridge of Tiftarea, which appear on multiple years' recipient lists) demonstrate that past recipients can successfully reapply in future cycles.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's stated priorities and grant-making patterns, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Clear Organizational Capacity The Foundation explicitly seeks "proposals from organizations with a well-planned approach to issues and needs." Applications should demonstrate:

• How the project fits within the organization's overall operating budget
• The organization's track record of successful program implementation
• Strong financial management and sustainability planning

2. Skilled Leadership and Implementation Teams The Foundation looks for "committed leadership" and a "skilled team capable of executing the project." Highlight:

• Relevant experience of key staff members
• Board engagement and oversight
• Strategic planning processes

3. Community Support and Need Applications must show "demonstrated community support." Include:

• Data documenting the community need being addressed
• Letters of support from community partners or stakeholders
• Evidence of collaboration with other organizations
• Geographic specificity within the 35-county service area

4. Capacity Building and Sustainability The Foundation favors projects that "build organizational capacity for future success and sustainability." Emphasize:

• How the grant will strengthen the organization beyond the immediate project
• Plans for sustaining the work after grant funding ends
• Infrastructure improvements or systems development

5. Geographic Alignment Recent recipients span the entire 35-county service area, from Thomasville and Bainbridge to Albany, Valdosta, and Tifton. Organizations should:

• Clearly demonstrate service delivery within the Foundation's coverage area
• Specify which counties will benefit from the proposed work
• Show understanding of local community needs

6. Diversity of Focus Areas The Foundation funds across multiple sectors including youth development, basic needs, health care, family services, and community support. Applications need not fit a narrow category but should address clear community needs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Competitive but accessible: With a 20-22% success rate from 50 applications, the South Georgia Legacy Fund is competitive but provides realistic opportunities for well-prepared applicants from across the 35-county service area.

• Emphasis on capacity, not just programs: The Foundation explicitly seeks to build organizational capacity and sustainability, not just fund one-time projects. Frame your request around how it strengthens your organization's long-term effectiveness.

• Geographic diversity matters: Recent grant recipients come from throughout the service area (Valdosta, Albany, Tifton, Bainbridge, Thomasville, Hahira, Cairo), suggesting the Foundation seeks regional distribution rather than concentration in one community.

• Repeat funding is possible: Multiple organizations appear on recipient lists across different years, indicating that quality work and strong relationships can lead to continued support.

• Multiple funding opportunities: Beyond the competitive South Georgia Legacy Fund, explore the Thomas County-specific Vann Fund, teacher mini-grants, and the Foundation's 54 scholarship funds to maximize potential support.

• Early deadline planning: October and July deadlines require organizations to plan applications during summer/early fall, likely necessitating board approval and planning in the spring/summer months.

• Community foundation relationships: As a community foundation managing 363 funds, building a relationship with the Foundation opens doors to multiple funding opportunities beyond competitive grants, including donor-advised fund recommendations and planned giving conversations.

References

1. Community Foundation of South Georgia Official Website. Accessed February 13, 2026. https://cfsga.net/

2. "About Us." Community Foundation of South Georgia. Accessed February 13, 2026. https://cfsga.net/about-us/

3. "Our Staff." Community Foundation of South Georgia. Accessed February 13, 2026. https://cfsga.net/our-staff/

4. "Board of Directors." Community Foundation of South Georgia. Accessed February 13, 2026. https://cfsga.net/board-of-directors/

5. "South Georgia Legacy Fund." Community Foundation of South Georgia. Accessed February 13, 2026. https://cfsga.net/south-georgia-legacy-fund/

6. "2024 South Georgia Legacy Fund Awards Grants." Community Foundation of South Georgia. January 2025. https://cfsga.net/2024-south-georgia-legacy-fund-awards-grants/

7. "2023 South Georgia Legacy Fund Recipients Announced!" Community Foundation of South Georgia. January 2024. https://cfsga.net/2023-south-georgia-legacy-fund-recipients-announced/

8. "Hosea Hall & Lilly Eason Vann Fund for Thomas County." Community Foundation of South Georgia. Accessed February 13, 2026. https://cfsga.net/hosea-hall-lilly-eason-vann-fund-for-thomas-county/

9. "Public Education Funds." Community Foundation of South Georgia. Accessed February 13, 2026. https://cfsga.net/public-education-funds/

10. "Contact Us." Community Foundation of South Georgia. Accessed February 13, 2026. https://cfsga.net/contact-us/

11. Community Foundation of South Georgia Inc. GuideStar Profile. Accessed February 13, 2026. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/58-2210876

12. Community Foundation of South Georgia Inc. Candid Foundation Directory. Accessed February 13, 2026. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=COMM196

13. "Community Foundation of South Georgia announces $100 million grant milestone." Thomasville Times-Enterprise. March 2016. https://www.timesenterprise.com/news/local_news/community-foundation-of-south-georgia-announces-100-million-grant-milestone/article_928f5dfe-e091-11e5-bcf1-2b45708e1245.html

14. Community Foundation Of South Georgia Inc. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Accessed February 13, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/582210876