Apply for a Grant

Greater Rome Impact Fund Grant‍ ‍Requirements

The Community Foundation for Greater Rome is moving toward fewer, more substantial grants designed to produce significant and measurable community benefit.

For 2026, three grant opportunities will be available:

  • Greater Rome Impact Fund: Approximately three to four grants of $20,000–$25,000

  • Spiegelberg Legacy Fund: One grant up to $9,000 for work serving children in need

  • First Christian Heritage Fund: One grant up to $5,000 for work that enriches spiritual life, promotes diversity, or advances social justice

Applicants should select the opportunity that most closely aligns with their proposal. Foundation staff may contact an applicant if another category appears to be a better fit.

What We Are Looking For

The Foundation seeks to invest in work that addresses a meaningful community need and creates lasting benefit for individuals, families, or the broader community.

Competitive proposals will demonstrate measurable results and may also:

  • Prevent problems or reduce the need for crisis response

  • Strengthen collaboration among organizations or sectors

  • Promote long-term stability for participants

  • Build nonprofit capacity

  • Leverage additional funding or community resources

  • Provide a clear and compelling benefit to Rome and Floyd County

The Foundation recognizes that many worthy organizations and proposals may not receive funding. For FY2026, available resources will be intentionally concentrated into fewer, larger grants.

Two-Step Application Process

The FY2026 grant cycle will use a two-step process.

Step One: Initial Application

All applicants will complete a short initial application describing the community need, proposed work, expected results, people served, amount requested, and alignment with the selected grant opportunity.

Foundation staff will review initial applications for eligibility, completeness, fund alignment, and fit with the Foundation’s grantmaking priorities.

Step Two: Finalist Review

Selected finalists will be invited to provide additional information, which may include a detailed project budget, organizational financial information, implementation plans, and additional details about expected results.

Finalists may also be invited to participate in a brief conversation about their proposals. An invitation to the second step does not guarantee funding.

Eligibility

Applicants must be:

  • A tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization serving Rome or Floyd County; or

  • A church or charitable group working through a qualified fiscal sponsor

Grants will not be made for:

  • Individuals

  • Political campaigns or lobbying activity

  • Fundraising events

  • Endowments

  • Debt repayment

  • Projects that have already been completed

  • Work conducted primarily outside Rome and Floyd County

Applicants may submit one grant proposal per grant cycle.

Applicant Information Session

An applicant information session will be held by Zoom at 10:00 a.m. on August 10. The session will explain the funding opportunities, application changes, and two-step review process.

A recording and written FAQ will also be made available.

Important Dates

  • August 5: Initial application opens

  • August 10: 10:00 a.m. Zoom information session

  • August 21: Initial application deadline

  • September 24: Finalists invited to submit supplemental information

  • October 15: Finalist information due

  • November 17: Applicants notified

  • December 1: Awards ceremony

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

South Rome Community Grant

The 2026 application is closed. The next application period will be open March 2027.

Grant recipients will be contacted in late April and awards will be made in early May.