Apply for a Grant

Greater Rome Impact Fund Grant Requirements

1. ELIGIBILITY

Any non-profit organization with tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status and in good standing within Floyd County, Georgia. If your organization or project is not currently linked to a 501(c)(3) organization, you may be able to work in partnership with a fiscal sponsor. Please contact Jennifer Scott at jscott@cffgr.org for related questions.

Organizations may submit one application per grant cycle.

For the 2025 cycle, the Community Foundation anticipates awarding just over $100,000 in grant funding from the Greater Rome Impact Fund ($62,000), The Spiegelberg Fund ($8,000), the Villa Hizer Fund ($22,000) & The First Christian Heritage Fund ($9,000).

2. GUIDELINES

The Community Foundation looks for proposals which:

  • Outline a program/project that will positively impact the quality of life in our community;

  • Address a significant need or opportunity affecting a broad segment of the region’s population or special populations;

  • Possess the ability to leverage other funding through the use of matching grants or gifts;

  • Demonstrate the capacity to provide the necessary services using good administrative and financial management;

  • Enable collaboration between community organizations to more efficiently meet needs and deliver services.


3. FOCUS AREAS

For 2025, we plan to support grants that fall into these focus areas:

  • Arts/Cultural

  • Children/Family Services

  • Civic Affairs

  • Community Development

  • Education

  • Environment

4. DISCOURAGED ACTIVITIES

The Community Foundation discourages applicants from submitting applications in support of the following:

  • Grants for individuals;

  • Capital campaigns;

  • Deficit financing and debt retirement;

  • Endowments;

  • Political organization or campaigns;

  • Lobbying legislators or influencing elections;

  • Special fundraising events/celebration functions;

  • Marketing endeavors and personal research;

  • Core operating expenses*+;

  • Projects that are typically the funding responsibility of federal, state or local governments;

  • Scholarship programs;

  • Programs that have already taken place or will be completed in the current calendar year.

*The Community Foundation will consider the funding of new organizations for start-up or operating support. However, because our objective is to support work that continues to address community needs long after the grant funds are depleted, these requests are reviewed carefully on a case-by-case basis and must make a convincing case that:

  • The condition the proposal addresses is significant and can be measured; 

  • The applicant has the organizational ability to address the problem, is aware of other organizations that are working in the same area, and is the best organization to do this work;

  • The organization and its program are likely to achieve the outcomes described in the proposal; and

  • The organization has plans in place to ensure that its programs will continue to operate once grant funds are expended.

+In 2025, the Villa Hizer Fund will consider support to core operations if the request specifically explains plans to significantly improve these functions. (See fund description below for more information.)

5. HOW DOES AN ORGANIZATION APPLY FOR A GRANT?

Any 501(c)(3) organization interested in seeking grant support can apply by:

  1. Review these grant requirements and determine if your organization is eligible. You may contact The Community Foundation at 706.728.3453 to help you make that decision.

  2. Please complete the 2025 GRIF Grant Application (Google form will be active beginning August 1, 2025) and submit by 5:00 pm on August 29, 2025.  You will need to set up a free google email account in order to complete the application.

The review committee will have complete discretion whether or not to review late proposals.  

6. APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS

Once your application has been submitted, it is reviewed by The Community Foundation staff before it is assigned to the Citizen Grant Review Panel made up of volunteer community leaders. The Panel may conduct site visits or telephone interviews for proposals selected for a more extensive evaluation. Following its review, the Grants Panel makes funding recommendations to The Community Foundation’s Board of Directors.

The Community Foundation’s Board of Directors makes the final decision on grant awards at their late September board meeting and notification of grant decisions are sent to applicants.

In addition to the Greater Rome Impact Fund, our selection committee will also consider applicants for funding from three other funds. Separate applications are not necessary. 


The First Christian Church Heritage Fund

Grant(s) of up to $9,000 will be awarded to projects which meet the fund’s criteria of either: 

  • Enriching the spiritual lives of participants.

  • Supporting diversity and inclusiveness.

  • Furthering social justice.

                                          

The Spiegelberg Memorial Fund Grant 

For 2025, we will award grant(s) up to $8,000 for projects which meet the fund’s criteria of 

providing for the education and welfare of worthy and needy children in the Rome community.


The Villa Hizer Fund

For 2025, up to $22,000 will be awarded for projects that increase operational excellence and efficiency for ongoing projects with demonstrated results.


Please reach out to Jennifer Scott (706.728.3453 or jscott@cffgr.org) if you have any questions.

South Rome Community Grant

The 2026 grant cycle details will be published in 2026.