Nonprofit Sector Sustainability Fund
Nonprofits across metro Atlanta are facing growing challenges due to rising costs, delayed or decreasing government funding, and increasing demand for services. Many organizations are navigating difficult decisions around staffing and programs while continuing to serve vulnerable communities.
In response, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, in partnership with local philanthropic organizations and donors, has established the Nonprofit Sector Sustainability Fund. This support will be coordinated through our partner, Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF). With 45 years of experience, NFF’s Consulting team is uniquely equipped to help nonprofits navigate changing funding scenarios impacting their business models, cash flow and sustainability. The Nonprofit Sector Sustainability Fund will provide multi-year, general operating support grants to nonprofits experiencing the combined challenges of increasing need, increasing costs, and decreasing resources.
The fund aims to help nonprofits strengthen financial sustainability, explore new operating models and build capacity through multi-year, general operating support grants and targeted technical assistance based on the needs of nonprofits in this moment. By combining financial and non-financial resources, the fund aims to support a resilient nonprofit sector both now and in the long term.
Impact
Grant criteria & eligibility
Fund details
Ten applicants will receive $100,000 over a two-year period ($50,000 per year for two years).
Capacity Building and Technical Assistance
The selected applicants will also have the opportunity to build their capacity and receive technical assistance through:
- Monthly in-person or virtual cohort convenings
- Regular coaching, training, and support from a consultant with expertise in identified organizational challenges, such as scenario planning, diversification of funding, and strategic partnerships
Please note: This fund is designed to support long-term sustainability and adaptation and is not intended to replace lost federal funding.
Eligibility requirements
We intend to use an open application process that will identify grantees using several key criteria:
- Nonprofit organizations across all sectors
- While there is no particular sector restriction at this time, the Foundation does want to be responsive to those most impacted by current executive orders/policies. We plan to remain flexible so that we can be targeted and responsive as things change at the federal and local level.
- Have an annual operating budget of $2 million or less
- Have been operating for at least 3 years at the time of application
- Have 6 months or less of board-restrictive operating reserves
- No property or other type of owned assets
- Located or serving populations within the 11-county metro Atlanta region: Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties
- Organizations that demonstrate direct loss of government funding (federal, state, local) AND/OR organizations that demonstrate significant funding loss (private and government) over the past one to two years, due to changing external factors or other economic conditions
- Organizations that have the capacity, desire, and willingness to participate fully in capacity building, technical assistance, and peer learning. The peer learning component of this grant includes a yearly in-person convening and regular informational peer-learning conversations.
- Organizations that have done some contingency and/or scenario planning or thinking but need additional support
- Organizations that have already self-selected for merger or strategic partnership will be considered for support to complete that merger or partnership
Timeline & application details
Application Opens: January 16, 2026 – Click here to apply.
Informational Webinar for Applicants: Click here to watch.
Office Hours: Click here to register for 2/12 session. Click here to register for 2/17 session.
Application Closes: February 27 at 11:59 p.m.
Decisions Announced: Spring 2026
Have questions about the application process? Check out our FAQs here.
Contact: grants@cfgreateratlanta.org