The Gainesville-based North Georgia Community Foundation (NGCF) will open its 2026 Community Grant Cycle on July 15, committing one million million to support nonprofit organizations across the region.
The annual application‑based program provides funding to nonprofits working to improve quality of life in North Georgia. This year’s commitment marks a major increase from the $545,200 awarded to 40 nonprofits in 2025.
“Nonprofits across North Georgia are facing growing needs and increasingly difficult funding challenges, even as the demand for their services continues to rise,” said Michelle Prater, NGCF president and CEO. “We made the intentional decision to significantly increase our Community Grant funding to $1 million this year so that we can help stand in the gap for these organizations and the communities they serve.”
The Community Grant Program is fueled by the NGCF Community Fund, a permanent philanthropic resource created through decades of donor generosity. New for 2026, NGCF has updated the application format to better align with nonprofit capacity and community impact, streamlining the process with fewer questions and promoting equity across applicants.
Applications will be accepted through Aug. 17 at 5:00 p.m. NGCF will also host a Community Grant Application Class on July 16 to help organizations prepare.
For more information on eligibility and requirements, visit ngcf.org/ngcf‑grant‑programs or call 770‑535‑7880.