Community Impact Grant

The Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation has announced its Community Impact Grant Cycle for 2026, continuing its commitment to improve health and well-being in communities across Floyd, Polk, and Chattooga counties in Georgia and Cherokee County in Alabama. The Foundation, established in 2021 as part of the strategic combination of Floyd Medical Center and Atrium Health, supports the charitable and public missions of the affiliated hospitals by investing in initiatives that address deep-rooted community health challenges. It collaborates closely with Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center and Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center to identify and fund projects that create transformational change through systemic solutions. The Foundation’s grantmaking prioritizes programs that address mental and behavioral health, including teen suicide prevention and support for individuals with mental health needs; access to healthcare and mobility solutions; educational opportunities with an emphasis on health equity; food access and security; and housing. Rather than focusing on immediate relief, the Foundation aims to tackle the underlying causes of health disparities. Grant funds are disbursed to the affiliated hospitals to implement these initiatives in partnership with community stakeholders. For the 2026 cycle, applications will be accepted from January 5 through February 6. The submission window closes at 11:59 p.m. on the final day. Grant recipients will be publicly announced on May 27, and a formal reception will be held in June to recognize and distribute funding. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, public charities, educational institutions, governmental agencies, and religious or civic organizations, provided that proposed projects serve the target counties and comply with charitable use requirements under the Internal Revenue Code, Section 170.2. Applicants must provide a current IRS determination letter confirming 501(c)(3) or public charity status, be registered as a nonprofit with either the Georgia or Alabama Secretary of State, and demonstrate direct service to the Foundation's target geographic region. Additional requirements include having a community-representative board of directors, submitting an annual plan and budget, and providing audited financial statements (or financial review by an independent CPA if annual budgets are under $500,000). Documentation of matching support is also necessary, as matching funds appear to be a required component of eligibility. Only one proposal per organization is allowed. The Foundation places a strong emphasis on capacity and strategic alignment with its focus areas. There is no mention of a pre-application or concept paper stage, and applications are submitted directly during the open window. Applicants may contact Donna Martin at [email protected] or call 706-509-3287 with questions or to discuss partnership opportunities with the affiliated hospitals. While this is an annual opportunity, there are no explicit indications of recurrence beyond the 2026 cycle.