William Bernard McCloud Community Impact Award

The Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation (CCGF), located in Brunswick, Georgia, has announced the 2025 cycle for the William Bernard McCloud Community Impact Award. This funding opportunity is made possible through the Foundation’s Community Impact Fund, which is supported by the Foundation itself as well as its broader community of stakeholders. The Foundation aims to strengthen nonprofit organizations within the region by providing operational support that directly impacts the communities of Camden, Glynn, and McIntosh counties in Georgia. The 2025 William Bernard McCloud Community Impact Award offers eligible 501(c)(3) organizations the chance to apply for up to $12,500 in operational funding. The primary focus is on improving the capacity of nonprofits that deliver services within the eligible counties. Funds must be used specifically within these three counties and cannot be applied to programs or activities outside of them. The grant does not support retroactive funding, capital campaigns, fundraising efforts, lobbying, religious activities (though community-serving programs run by religious organizations may be eligible), endowments, individual grants, debt relief, international NGOs, or research. Eligibility is strictly limited to organizations that are classified as 501(c)(3) and serve citizens in Glynn, McIntosh, and/or Camden counties. Applicants must restrict the use of any awarded funds to services within these regions. Additionally, any organization with staff or board members on the Community Impact Committee (CIC) is not eligible to apply, ensuring objectivity in the selection process. Only one proposal may be submitted per organization. The online application portal opens on June 2, 2025, and closes on July 2, 2025. Optional engagement opportunities include a virtual information session on May 21, 2025, with a follow-up FAQ document published based on session feedback. Applicants are encouraged to contact the project manager by June 10, 2025, to discuss their proposal. Selected applicants will be notified in early September if they have moved forward to the interview stage. Interviews may be conducted either via a 15-minute pre-recorded video or in-person at the CCGF office, with the video submission window spanning from September 5 to September 20, and in-person interviews occurring from September 22 to 26. Awardees will be notified in mid-October, with the award presentation event scheduled for October 29, 2025. Applicants must respond to a series of specific questions regarding their budget, service geography, community outcomes, success measurement, and accountability. Required documentation includes the IRS determination letter, Form 990, Georgia nonprofit registration, board list, organizational budget and plan, and financial statements (either audited or reviewed, depending on budget size). Any prior grant recipients from CCGF must also include final or interim reports as applicable. All award recipients are required to provide a final report within the 12-month funding period. Any unused funds must be returned to the Foundation. CCGF offers a minor incentive of 5 bonus points for organizations that have not applied in the last three years. While the application process is competitive, CCGF emphasizes that non-selection does not indicate a lack of merit. All applicants receive a confirmation email upon submission, and the Foundation encourages grantees to publicize their awarded programs. Additional outreach materials such as photos and videos are also welcomed for CCGF promotional use.