Find Nonprofit and Small Business Grants

Preference is given to 501(c)3 organizations.

Organizations can only receive one successful grant per two consecutive grant periods. For example, if an application in the fall grant period is funded in any amount, that organization is not eligible to receive another grant until at least the following fall. If a grant application is not funded, an organization may re-apply with a similar or new application in the next grant period. Please plan your project and grant request accordingly.

Additional Provisions for Grantees Serving DeKalb County:

-Public School Districts – Within public school districts, the above mentioned guidelines apply to each school. For example, each elementary, middle, and high school building is eligible to receive one grant per two grant periods.

-Higher Education – Within a community college or university, each “department” is eligible to receive one grant per two grant periods.

-Municipal or Governmental Entities – Within governmental entities, each department (i.e. police, fire) is eligible to receive one grant per two grant periods.

While the Community Foundation remains flexible in trying to meet community needs, in general, Community Needs Grants are not made for:
-Operational costs of projects, programs and organizations including updating technology
-Personnel and/or administrative costs
-Religious purposes (However, grants may be given to religious organizations for programs or projects that confer an expressed or direct community benefit or to facilities such as day-care centers that have non-profit status independent from a sponsoring church or religious organization)
-Purchase of advertising
-Capital or operation debt reduction
-Any political campaign or to support attempts to influence legislative issues of any government body
-Direct funding to individuals

Applications are due by midnight on March 1 or September 1 and become available two months prior to the deadlines. Organizations must complete an online application. No hard copy applications will be accepted.

Applicants requesting $25,000 or more must contact the Community Foundation Grants Director, Tiffany McQueen Lewis by February 1 for the spring grant season or August 1 for the fall grant season. Applications for greater than $25,000 that have not been vetted with the Community Foundation by February 1 or August 1 will not be accepted.

The Board prioritizes proposals that leverage funds and in-kind support, such as using "seed" money, "match" and "challenge" grants and funds from multiple sources.

Potential applicants for any grant amount are strongly encouraged to contact the Community Foundation prior to the grant deadline for help facilitating a successful application process.

Applicants will be notified of the Community Foundation's funding decisions near May 1 in the spring grant season, and November 1 in the fall grant season.