The following information pertains to the 2026 Community Grant Application

*NEW APPLICATION FOR 2026*

To better meet the needs of nonprofits in North Georgia, we have improved the NGCF Community Grants application in the following ways:

• • Organizations apply for funds according to their budget size (greater than or less than $1 Million) to promote equity throughout the application process.
  • Organizations apply for their greatest need and are no longer required to choose between operational and programmatic funding options.
  • Questions are streamlined for a shorter application.

Each organization can only submit one grant application.

Community Grant recipients are still eligible for other NGCF Grants programs in the same year, i.e. Opportunity Grant or separate Fundholder grant cycles hosted by NGCF.

Application Description:
The NGCF Community Grant Program seeks to fund organizations and programs designed to improve the quality of life in North Georgia.

Eligibility:
Eligible organizations must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in good standing or a direct service program operated by a church, school, or government entity with the primary location in one of the following North Georgia counties:
Banks, Barrow, Dawson, Fannin, Forsyth, Franklin, Gilmer, Habersham, Hall,
Hart, Jackson, Lumpkin, Pickens, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, White

Application Deadline:
5 p.m. on Monday, August 17th. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Reporting:
If awarded, you will be required to provide NGCF with a final report on the use of the funds.

NGCF Community Grant funds may not be used in any of the following ways:

• Funding may not be used to support political campaigns or lobbying activities.
• While funding may be used to pay reasonable salary expenses, funding may not be used for the individual benefit of an employee (i.e., paying bonuses, supporting pay increases, etc.)
• Grants to capital campaigns are not permitted.
• If applying as a church or government entity, funds cannot be used for operational expenses. Funds must be used for a direct service program provided by the applicant.

An Opportunity Grant provides a nonprofit organization with funding for a new or expanding program that addresses specific key issues in North Georgia and promotes lasting change. This funding enables organizations to create meaningful impact through initiatives they may not have been able to pursue otherwise.

Potential Opportunity Grant recipients are recommended by a group of community leaders from across North Georgia who identify local needs that nonprofits could address, if they had the resources to do so.