Ashley Garner Award for Leadership Excellence

For more than a decade, Ashley Garner served the Community Foundation for Greater Rome as both a Board Member and Executive Director. Ashley was especially committed to supporting the people who lead our local nonprofit organizations and carry their missions forward each day.

In recognition of her service and vision, the Ashley Garner Award for Leadership Excellence was established to invest in nonprofit leaders serving Rome and Floyd County. The Foundation awarded $3,000 in mini-grants and facilitated an additional $2,579 through donor-advised funds, reflecting both community demand and donor partnership.

While program funding is often prioritized, leadership development is essential to long-term sustainability, effective governance, and mission-driven impact.

Mini-grant recipients include:

  • A Teen’s Choice, Inc. – Supporting certification in the nationally recognized Sources of Strength suicide prevention and youth mental wellness program, expanding prevention programming and strengthening school partnerships.

  • Open Path (formerly Floyd Training Center) – Supporting nonprofit accounting and finance certification to enhance financial oversight and board reporting.

  • Hospitality House – Supporting participation in a trauma-informed peer leadership program designed for domestic violence directors across Georgia.

  • The Open Door Home – Supporting management and marketing certifications to strengthen succession planning and staff retention.

Additional leadership investments were made possible through donor-advised funds at the Community Foundation:

  • Communities In Schools of Rome-Floyd County – Participation in the 2026 National CIS Leadership Town Hall.

  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Georgia – Participation in Youth of the Year and Legislative Day training.

These awards reflect the Foundation’s commitment to strengthening the nonprofit infrastructure of our community. By investing in people—not just programs—we help ensure that the organizations serving our neighbors remain resilient, well-governed, and forward-looking.