About the Foundation
There are more than 700 community foundations across the country and around the world. We are proud to be the 21st in Georgia.
Who We Are:
The Community Foundation provides charitable support to all in the Rome/Floyd community. Our grants and funds reach and impact everyone all while helping to make our community a better place. The Community Foundation strives to serve, educate, and inspire a better tomorrow. Currently, community foundations are the fastest growing vehicle for philanthropy in the country and are among the most cost-efficient and flexible avenues for generosity. We can be thought of like an entrepreneur, looking for creative ways to channel generosity to address ambitious goals for community growth, impact, and sustainability.
What We Do:
The Community Foundation has an amazing track record of noticing community needs and addressing them with meaningful, long-term solutions. We serve as a “non-operating charity.” We do not operate a traditional non-profit like a homeless shelter or a museum, instead, we exist to encourage other charities by providing grants and gifts to local non-profits and community projects. Foundations serve as a “savings account”. Endowments are established by local donors and are invested carefully in perpetuity and earn interest. From there, donors may choose what they want to spend their interest-earned on and can designate where their gift will go for the benefit of their community. We also administer non-endowment funds.
History of the Community Foundation:
The Community Foundation for Greater Rome was incorporated in April of 2015 after many years of planning by local community leaders. There are over 700 community foundations in the United States – we were the 21st foundation established in Georgia. Foundations range in size, from Carrollton to Atlanta; we make a difference anywhere, big or small.
Not only are we building a healthier community, but we are also working to inspire the next generation of generous givers.
Community Foundation Staff

Ashley Garner, Executive Director
Ashley was one of the founders of the Community Foundation for Greater Rome. Garner has been a resident of Rome since 2005 and has worked as Chief Development Officer at Darlington School, a strategic planning consultant for multiple local non-profits, and as a freelance grant writer. She earned advanced degrees from Harvard University and Vanderbilt University.
CFFGR Board of Directors
John Bennett
Retired Rome City Manager
Gregory Harris, DO Medical Oncologist, Harbin Clinic
Villa Hizer Former Beverage Distributor
David J. Lance President & CEO Greater Community Bank
Mike Mathis Owner, Mathis Builders’ Supply
Sarah McElrath Sales Associate, Toles, Temple, and Wright
Jennifer Scott Community Advocate
Scott Smith, Chair Attorney, McRae, Smith, and Peek
David Tomlin Sr. VP Trust River City Bank
Ed Watters Owner & Developer, River Ridge Escape Tiny Homes
C. B. Wright III Retired Financial Services Executive
David Newby Former President & CEO, Custom Extrusion Holdings, LLC & Profile Custom Extrusions, LLC
Ashley N. Garner Executive Director