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• What is a community foundation?

  • A Community Foundation is a charitable, nonprofit organization whose purpose is to improve the quality of life for residents of a specific geographic area.

• What services does CFGC provide?

  • We provide funding, marketing/awareness opportunities, and a connection to volunteers for other nonprofit organizations. We specialize in these activities so that other nonprofits can focus on delivering direct services to individuals.

• Do you support designated funds?

  • Yes, we can earmark funds for certain designations within certain parameters. We would appreciate the opportunity to further discuss options with you.

• What do you do with the money you receive?

  • Funds raised are allocated to a mix of operating budget, endowed funds, and grants to local nonprofits.

• Why can't I give directly to nonprofits?

  • You absolutely can. If you have an organization or organizations that you care deeply about and want to support, we encourage you to do so. We offer links to fundraisers, general information, contacts, and donation pages for many local organizations here on our site. If, however, you want to address a need or multiple needs in the greater Clemson area as a whole, we can help with that, especially if your commitment includes estate or large gifts. We vet and follow up with organizations that we fund, so you don’t have to do that work. Also, since we invest a portion of our donations to build a perpetual source of support to meet local needs, we can help you create an enduring personal legacy of enhancing the quality of life in Clemson area communities for generations to come.  

• What types of gifts do you accept?

  • You can donate online with a credit card or check through our Donation page. If you would like to talk to us about an estate gift, long-term pledge, gift of stock or real estate, or any other unique situations, please contact us.

• Are you a 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit?

  • Yes!  We are currently registered as a charitable organization with the state of South Carolina, and as of September 2014 are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization as designated by the Internal Revenue Service. This means that donations made to the foundation are tax-deductible. Please consult your tax advisor for more information on how this applies to your specific situation.

• What is your grant process?

  • We offer a yearly competitive grants process to any nonprofit organizations that are seeking funds for projects to benefit the Clemson area. We have a grants committee made up of community members that review each application and determine which projects will have the greatest impact and will best meet the needs of our community. Click HERE to view our grants application page.