The Community Foundation of West Georgia Ranked Third Largest in Georgia

The Community Foundation of West Georgia has been ranked the third largest community foundation in Georgia by total annual giving in The Atlanta Business Chronicle’s annual Giving Guide publication.  

“We are thrilled to be ranked among Georgia’s top three community foundations in only the fourteenth year since our foundation was formed,” said Kim Jones, president of the Community Foundation of West Georgia.  “It’s an indication of the amazing generosity we have found from the donors in our community since 2003.  That’s when a local citizen issued a remarkable challenge for the community to raise $4 million by the spring of 2004 in order to receive a $3 million gift.  The challenge was met within a short six-month period for a total of $7 million in assets as the foundation was formed.

“Now we are granting almost this much each year!” she said.

Last year the Community Foundation of West Georgia made grants totaling $6.4 million, including $358,000 to 33 local nonprofit organizations in Carroll, Haralson and Heard counties from the Community Impact Fund and $ 4.1 million in donations to local charities from its donor-advised funds.  The Foundation distributes money from the Community Impact Fund to organizations that apply for grants to support programs that serve the community in one of six areas:  education, human services, environmental improvement, medical and hospice care, art and cultural activities and economic development.  

The local foundation was surpassed in giving only by the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta and the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley.  

Today, the Foundation has more than $44.9 million in assets, including $38 million in donor funds.

There are a number of choices in how to make donations to the Foundation, including to the Community Impact Fund, which meets the needs of the community through an annual competitive grant process.  Donors also may choose to establish funds designated for donations to specific nonprofits organizations or specific fields of interests.  Other funds allow donors the opportunity for a high level of involvement with freedom from administrative issues or to support the operation of the Foundation.  For more information see www.cfwg.net.