The Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation is unique in the range and depth of service that we offer to individuals and corporations who want to make a lasting difference. As our partner in giving, you receive the simplicity and tax advantages of a public charity combined with the personal recognition, involvement and flexibility of a private foundation. And because we plan to be here, serving Coastal Georgia for a long time, you can be assured that there will be a permanent source of funds creating a charitable legacy in which you can take genuine pride.
Easy
A named grantmaking fund can be established with a simple document that requires less than an hour to prepare as we guide you through the process. With a minimum of $10,000, accomplishing your objectives is made easy by our professional management of your fund.
Effective
Our staff and governing board are made up of knowledgeable, concerned community citizens and volunteers like yourself who are dedicated to ensuring that your charitable giving is as effective as possible. We quickly identify local and regional issues to make grants where they will do the most good. If your fund operated independently and had to recreate our services on its own, the price tag would be prohibitive. At the Foundation, your grantmaking fund shares the costs of a knowledgeable staff, enjoys excellent financial management and benefits from a closely monitored investment strategy.
Flexible
Whether you want to give now or in the future, locally or nationally, we take pride in our ability to customize services to meet your charitable goals. We will meet with you individually or with your financial advisor to discuss your charitable giving needs and how they can best be fulfilled to make the most of your philanthropic dollars.
You may establish a fund that supports charitable organizations or programs you care about, the community’s greatest areas of need, or a broad field of interest. You may also contribute to an existing fund or make an unrestricted gift to the Coastal Community Endowment that our board of directors will put to good use in the community on your behalf. An important part of our work is building a permanent collection of funds for our community. Our board of directors ensures that these funds will grow in perpetuity and will continue to carry out the charitable objectives of the donors who established them.
Private
You decide when or whether you want to be recognized for your giving or remain anonymous. You can feel secure in knowing that your personal information will never be disclosed.
Immediate Tax Deduction
Because the Foundation is a public charity, donations qualify for the maximum available deduction for charitable contributions in the year in which the gift is made. We can also offer solutions to help reduce your estate-tax liability.
Read Elegant Island Living monthly articles from September, 2014 through August, 2015.
Annual Reports
CCGF's annual reports showcase The Foundation's fundholders, investments, and impact - and may be accessed below:
2021 ANNUAL REPORT
2020 Annual Report
2019 Annual Report
2018 Annual Report
2017 Annual Report
To view more annual reports from past years, Click Here
Strategic Plans
Click on the date of the publication to view.....
$82,525 in Competitive Grants
2016 Annual Report
Conservation Roundtable
Decennial Campaign
New 2017 Board Members
Funders Meeting for Non-Profits
Jumpstart Prepares Children for Kindergarten
Rich's Consumer Brands
2015 Audit
Community Foundation Awards Sixteen Grants
Halsey Family Scholarships
Correll Scholars
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Conservation Donors Roundtable
Leaping Into K
Endowments - For Lasting Impact
Com
munity Needs Assessment
Grant Cycle Begins
New Board Members
Growing the Foundation Benefits the Community
Foundation Meets in Camden County
Partners in Philanthropy
Foundation Awards Thirteen Grants
Correll Scholars Program
Camden Strings Camp
Foundation Awarded Operating Grants
The Foundation Celebrates its 10th Anniversary
Grants from Endowments
Honor Flight
Update from the Foundation
For Good + Forever
Community Impact Grants
Coastal Georgia Honor Flight
2016 - CONNECTING THE PASSIONS OF DONORS TO THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITIES
2015 - A YEAR OF GROWTH, ENGAGEMENT AND IMPACT
2014 - LOOKING BACK WITH PRIDE / LOOKING FORWARD WITH PASSION
2013 - A COMMUNITY FOUNDATION? WHATEVER FOR? 
2012 - WRITE YOUR OWN HISTORY 
2011 - THERE IS NOTHING IN A CATERPILLAR THAT TELLS YOU IT'S GOING TO BE A BUTTERFLY 
Hepburn takes the helm in 2014...
At its meeting of the Board of Directors June 5, 2013, the Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation unanimously voted to hire Dr. Valerie Hepburn as Executive Director when Lee Owen retires in July of 2014. The action follows the unanimous recommendation of the foundation’s Executive Committee.
Lee Hiers Owen, who currently serves as Executive Director, had notified the Foundation of her plans to retire in 2014. Hepburn, who is stepping down as president of the College of Coastal Georgia on June 30th, will fulfill a prior commitment to a year of research and policy work with the University System of Georgia and then join the Community Foundation in mid‐2014. Rees Sumerford, Chairman of the Foundation, indicated that he and the Executive Committee approached Hepburn once Owen announced her planned retirement. He and the board expect a seamless transition and continued strong growth and engagement for the Foundation.
“Lee has done a terrific job and we are pleased that she will continue to serve for the coming year,” said Sumerford. “Valerie and Lee have worked closely on a number of education and community initiatives. We are delighted to be able to have identified a new leader of Valerie’s caliber and capabilities. We believe that the Foundation will continue to expand its relevance and its reach across the region.”
Of the new role, Hepburn reflects, “Working with the Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation provides the opportunity to support philanthropy and innovation which improve the economy and quality of life in our tri-county region. The position allows me to build on my knowledge and recent experiences to continue the positive, impactful work of this young community foundation. We love Coastal Georgia, and there remains important work yet to be done.”
The Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation was established in 2005 with the goal of working with local philanthropists - ordinary citizens with extraordinary vision, connecting them with local nonprofits to improve the quality of life across Camden, Glynn and McIntosh counties. The Foundation carries the National Standards certification from the Council on Foundations in Washington, D.C., demonstrating adherence to the highest standards of operational efficiency and stewardship. Though still young, the community foundation has grown significantly in philanthropic assets, currently totaling more than nine million dollars, and anticipates a strong trajectory for the future.
MCINTOSH COUNTY, GA – The McIntosh County Health Department has received $8,800 in funding from the Community of Coastal Georgia Foundation’s Miller Family Fund to purchase car safety seats for children and implement tobacco cessation classes.
“Part of our mission is to provide grants for organizations in Camden, Glynn, and McIntosh counties to support programs that will make a positive difference in those communities,” said President and CEO of the Community of Coastal Georgia Foundation, Dr. Valerie Hepburn. “We are pleased to be able to help the McIntosh County Health Department with these two very worthwhile initiatives.”
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children ages 2-14 and the leading cause of injury-related death for children under two. When installed and used correctly, child car seats and seat belts can prevent injuries and save lives. Grant funding in the amount of $2,000 from the Foundation will be used to purchase car seats and educate families on the proper installation of car seats and general seatbelt safety. Pictures below is a recent event at the McIntosh County Health Department.
According to the 2013 McIntosh County Community Health Needs Assessment, 28 percent of McIntosh County residents smoke or use tobacco. That is well above the national rate of 13 percent and state average of 20 percent. Grant funding in the amount of $6,800 from the Foundation will help support “Tobacco-Free McIntosh,” and campaign to help promote tobacco cessation through advertising, educational classes, and nicotine replacement therapy.
“Although this funding will be used for two entirely different purposes, both programs will help protect the residents of McIntosh County in the long run,” said McIntosh County Health Department Nurse Manager, Paige Lightsey, R.N.
The Miller Family Fund, a component fund of the Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation, was established by Martin and Laura Lynn Miller in 2013. The family is from Valdosta, but they have had home in McIntosh County for more than a decade. The family has built a number of successful agencies providing home care and services for seniors, and they have been recognized as leaders and innovators in health and aging services. The Millers have a long history of successful philanthropy focused on health, aging and quality of life issues, including support for the establishment of a Family Health Center at Valdosta State University’s School of Nursing. Their current philanthropic interests include public health and primary care services for the people of McIntosh County.
In this edition, we highlight the Gathering Place, our Honor Flight and some great news about CCGF.
Gathering Place Interns pay a visit to CCGF....
...Read More
Rising Camden Middle School Students Can Learn Violin This Summer....
...Read More
The Brunswick News - February 17, 2015 Honor Flight
Foundation President & CEO Dr. Valerie A. Hepburn is serving as Honorary Co-Chair for the 2015 YMCA Tribute to Women Celebration, to be held on June 2nd.
Randal Morris, Public Affairs Manager for Georgia Pacific, is the other co-chair.
The annual Tribute luncheon, which is one of the organizations key fundraising events, celebrates women in community and corporate leadership roles.
The Brunswick News - Coastal Illustrated December 23, 2014
Read more....
The Darien News December 17, 2014
Valerie Hepburn speaks to Academy for Girls...
The Darien News December 11, 2014
Foundation Board Hears of Impacts of Community Grants
News about the Foundation that handles our back office....
Jacksonville-based Community Foundation marks 50 years working to better Northeast Florida
By Beth Reese Cravey Wed, Nov 19, 2014 @ 7:22 pm | updated Thu, Nov 20, 2014 @ 7:48 am
Provided by the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida
In May 1964, four Jacksonville businessmen — clockwise from left, J.J. Daniel, Robert R. Feagin, Thomas R. McGehee and Laurence Lee Jr. -- gather to sign documents creating what would become the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. 1964
10/27/14
"Camden Board of Health Receives Grant" .... The Brunswick News
10/2/14
"Coastal Georgia Honor Flight" ....The Tribune & Georgian
10/1/14
"Lucky Enough to Share".....Elegant Island Living
9/27/14
"Coastal Georgia Honor Flight" ....The Brunswick News
9/17/14
"New Foundation Leader Focuses Beyond County Lines"... The Darien News
9/3/14
Investing in our community/America's 2nd Harvest, Camden County CASA, Coastal Coalition for Children, CASA Glynn... The Brunswick News
9/1/14
Investing in our community/The Boys and Girls Club... The Brunswick News
9/1/14
Chronicling an Act of Goodwill - Elegant Island Living
8/20/14
Steward for the Community - Coastal Illustrated
7/21/14
Hepburn's return good news... - The Brunswick News
7/19/14
Former College of Coastal Georgia president has new building job.... - The Georgia Times Union
7/17/14
YMCA and McIntosh County Health Department receive grants.... - The Darien News
7/12/14
Coastal foundation gives grant funds.... The Brunswick News
7/7/14
Former college president heads community foundation.... The Brunswick News
7/3/14
Local non-profits receive $16,500 in grants from Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation....The Darien News
Guidestar awarded the Community Foundation with gold seal status which represents the highest rating for transparency and commitment to excellence. Of the 44,000 nonprofits who have attained either a bronze, silver or gold designation, only some 1,400 - 3% - have earned the gold level designation and we are one!
GuideStar USA, Inc. is an information service specializing in reporting on U.S. nonprofit companies. In 2010, their database contained over 5 million IRS Forms 990 on 1.9 million organizations. This 20 year old organization collects and disseminates information on every IRS registered nonprofit.