The 2025 Community Grants Cycle will be open from
July 1, 2024 – August 9, 2024
The Community Foundation for the CSRA only considers applications from 501(c)(3) organizations providing programs and services directly benefiting individuals living in Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina, and Burke, Columbia, Richmond, and McDuffie counties in Georgia. Organizations meeting pressing and changing needs in the community in the areas of education and youth enrichment, health and environment, arts, culture, history and assistance for people in need are invited to apply.
Want to learn more about what type of projects and programs receive funding through the Community Grants Program?
Let’s Get Started
Attend a Grant Seeker Session
If your organization has never applied for a Community Grant or has not been FUNDED through the Community Grants Program in the last three granting cycles (2022, 2023, or 2024), someone representing your organization was REQUIRED to attend one of the sessions to be eligible to apply. Applications from organizations that fall in this category and did not attend a session will not be considered in this cycle.
Need a refresher on what was covered during our Grant Seeker Sessions?
Get Ready
The Community Grants application is housed in our Grants Portal. First-time applicants will be prompted to create an account. If you have applied in the past, use your existing login.
The 2025 Community Grants application will not be visible until July 1.
Submit A Proposal
Submit a complete application with correct financials, budgets, and other supporting documents as requested in the application by the deadline. You do not have to complete your application in one sitting, but final applications must be submitted by the grant deadline to be considered. You may use some of our helpful tools below as you complete your proposal. We encourage you to submit your proposal for early review so that staff may provide feedback on your request.
Refer to our Grant Guidelines for guidance on what we fund.
Host a Site Visit
If your organization is selected to move forward in the process, a group of panel volunteers will come to your location for a site visit. Not all organizations that receive a site visit will be funded. This is your opportunity to build upon your written proposal.
Attend the Press Conference
Organizations who are selected to receive a 2025 Community Grant will be invited to attend the annual press conference to be recognized.
Report Back
If funded, your organization will be required to complete reports that reflect on their progress toward the outcomes targeted in the grant proposal. Through these reports, both Foundation staff and your organization are able to gather valuable feedback and knowledge that can inform future work.
Report Deadlines:
- Submit a six-month report by July 15.
- Submit a final year-end report by January 15 of the following year.
- Summer-only programs can submit just the year-end report by August 30 of the funded year.
If you have questions about how to talk about outcomes please contact Rebecca Wallace.
2025 Community Grants Timeline
June 25 (5:oo p.m.) and June 26 (9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.)
Grant Seeker Sessions
July 1, 2024
Application opens
July 15, 2024, by 12:00 pm ET
Early review application due – this allows you to receive feedback on your application so updates can be made prior to submitting the final version
August 9, 2024, by 4:00 pm ET
Application closes
Early September
Applicants will be notified of advancement in the grant process
Mid-Fall
Site visits – If chosen to advance, site visits will be conducted in person or virtually, usually during the month of October.
December 6, 2024
Grant recipients announced live via press conference
January 2024
Awards distributed
Helpful Resources
Tips on Budgets & Outcomes
Budgets and outcomes play a large role in the success of your grant application. Check out the tips and resources we’ve provided to help make developing them easier.
Preparing for your Site Visit
A site visit can be one of the most important tools grantmakers use in determining funding decisions. Learn more about how to prepare so your visit complements your proposal and offers a clearer picture of your request.
View our Past Grantees
Curious about what has been funded in the past. Read more about last year’s grantees.
Here to Help!
If you have questions about the application process, please contact Rebecca Wallace, VP of Programs here or at 706-724-1314.