Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $28+ million (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 3-4 months
• Grant Range: Up to $30,000 (Fund for Chattanooga)
• Geographic Focus: Hamilton County, Tennessee

Contact Details

Website: https://www.cfgc.org
Phone: (423) 265-0586
Address: 1400 Williams Street, Chattanooga, TN 37408
Grant Contact: Jon Berestecky, Manager of Community Investment
Email: jberestecky@cfgc.org
Phone (Direct): (423) 265-0586 x44

Overview

Established in 1963, the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga serves as a vital philanthropic hub connecting donors with community causes. The foundation distributed over $28 million in grants to non-profits in 2024, demonstrating significant impact across the Chattanooga region. Their mission focuses on transforming generosity into lasting change towards a prosperous and just Chattanooga. Under the leadership of President/CEO Maeghan Jones and Board Chair Dr. Ruth Liu, the foundation emphasises working with proximate leaders closest to community needs and supporting strong non-profits that create opportunities for economic mobility.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Fund for Chattanooga Grant Cycle: Up to $30,000 unrestricted grants

• Application opens: late July
• Application deadline: mid-August
• Decision announcement: early November
• Focus on organisations serving Hamilton County

Eviction Prevention Initiative (EPI)

• Partnership with City of Chattanooga, Habitat for Humanity, and Legal Aid
• Provides legal and case management support

Impact Investing Programmes

• Accelerator Loan Fund: Low-interest loans for small businesses
• Chattanooga Impact Capital Fund: Support for local entrepreneurs
• Affordable Housing Fund: $5 million line of credit from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Priority Areas

• Addressing hunger
• Supporting affordable housing and shelter
• Supporting mental wellbeing
• Creating access to affordable healthcare
• Workforce Development

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated in available materials

Governance and Leadership

President/CEO: Maeghan Jones
Board Chair: Dr. Ruth Liu (retired director of Institutional Research and Planning at Southern Adventist University)

The foundation maintains a leadership team with executives in philanthropy, finance, community investment, and communications, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to community grantmaking.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

1. Contact Community Investment staff (Jon Berestecky)
2. Receive application invitation
3. Complete online application via Grant Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=cfgc
4. Participate in staff review and follow-up process

Decision Timeline

• Application Period: 3 weeks (late July to mid-August)
• Site Visits: September-October
• Total Decision Time: Approximately 3-4 months from application deadline to funding decision

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not specified in available materials

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and approach:

• Focus on transformative, neighbourhood-level projects that demonstrate potential for lasting community impact
• Align closely with one or more of the five priority areas
• Demonstrate service to Hamilton County residents
• Show collaboration with other community organisations
• Emphasise how unrestricted funding will strengthen organisational capacity
• Connect your work to economic mobility and community justice themes

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation Required: Contact Jon Berestecky before applying - the foundation uses an invitation-based application system
• Unrestricted Funding: The Fund for Chattanooga provides unrestricted grants, allowing flexibility in fund usage
• Geographic Limitation: Must primarily serve Hamilton County to be eligible
• Strategic Alignment: Strong emphasis on economic mobility and community justice should be reflected in applications
• Collaborative Approach: Foundation values partnerships and collaborative solutions
• Site Visits: Be prepared for site visits during September-October as part of the evaluation process
• Annual Cycle: Plan ahead for the annual summer application window

References

• Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Official Website: https://www.cfgc.org
• CFGC Grant Application Page: https://www.cfgc.org/nonprofits/apply-for-a-grant
• CFGC Grants Overview: https://www.cfgc.org/nonprofits/grants
• About CFGC: https://www.cfgc.org/about/who-we-are
• CFGC Contact Information: https://www.cfgc.org/contact
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/626045999