Perot-Fiero Foundation Fund

The Perot-Fiero Foundation Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Central Georgia (CFCG), is a charitable grantmaking program established in honor of Erwin A. Fiero, Jr., a lifelong advocate for education, youth development, and community service. Fiero, affectionately known as “Beetle,” dedicated much of his life to teaching and volunteering, especially in his later years in Macon, Georgia. His legacy of selfless service continues through this fund, which reflects his values by supporting nonprofit organizations and churches that provide direct services to residents in need throughout Macon-Bibb County. The fund supports initiatives addressing the most pressing community needs, with a focus on tutoring, feeding programs, transportation services, support for individuals with physical or mental disabilities, and home repairs for low-income or disadvantaged residents. Grant funds must be used exclusively within Macon-Bibb County, and applicants must be either qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or churches headquartered in the county. The fund explicitly does not make grants to individuals. Funding priorities emphasize projects and programs in the areas of children, youth, and family services, education, health and human services, and faith-based efforts. While there is no maximum grant per organization, the total pool for the current cycle is approximately $40,000. CFCG notes that organizations may only receive funding once per 12-month period, regardless of how many grant cycles they apply to. The fund is competitive, and funding is not guaranteed. Applications must be submitted through CFCG’s online grants portal, which requires pre-registration. Registration must be completed at least one business day before the deadline to allow access to the application. Required documents for submission include the organization's most recent financial audit report or IRS Form 990. Applications were due by 12:00 PM on December 15, 2025, for this cycle. After the deadline, CFCG staff perform due diligence, including follow-up conversations with applicants if needed. The Perot-Fiero Foundation Fund Committee reviews applications and makes recommendations to CFCG’s Executive Committee, which approves final awards. Grant announcements typically occur within three months of the deadline. All grant recipients are required to submit a final project and financial report within 60 days after spending the grant funds, before reapplying, or no later than one year from the grant deadline—whichever comes first. Beginning in 2024, all reports must be submitted through the online portal. Failure to submit timely reports will make applicants ineligible for future funding until reports are received. In promoting their work, grantees are encouraged to describe the funding as support from the Perot-Fiero Foundation Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia. They are welcome to use CFCG branding in their materials and are encouraged to share news releases and social media content tagging CFCG’s official accounts. This practice helps foster visibility for both the grantees and the philanthropic work of the Foundation.