How Charity Nonprofits Are Organized in Georgia

Georgia has 159 counties, more than any state except Texas, and its charities are spread just as unevenly. Our directory lists 311 charity and nonprofit organizations in Georgia, from large foundations in metro Atlanta to small service groups on the coast and in the Piedmont. This page explains who regulates them, how they differ by region, and how to reach the right one for what you need.

One point saves wasted trips. A charity nonprofit can mean very different things. Some are direct-service groups, such as the Salvation Army in Carrollton or Catholic Charities in Lilburn. Others are foundations, like the Fuller E Callaway Foundation in LaGrange or the Conner Foundation in Macon, which typically make grants instead of running walk-in programs. A few focus on education, advocacy, or a single cause, such as the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs in Clarkston. Knowing which type you are calling changes what you should ask.

Who Oversees Charities in Georgia

Oversight comes from several places, and no single office covers everything. The Georgia Secretary of State's Corporations Division registers nonprofit corporations under the Georgia Nonprofit Corporation Code and collects their annual registrations. The same office administers the Georgia Charitable Solicitations Act, which generally requires groups that ask the public for money to register first, with some exemptions.

The Internal Revenue Service decides federal 501(c)(3) status. The Georgia Department of Revenue handles state tax matters, and a federal exemption does not automatically settle how the state treats sales tax. The Attorney General's office can act when charitable assets are misused.

This layering matters in practical ways. A group can be a legitimate corporation yet not be registered to solicit. Another can hold IRS recognition but be inactive. Checking takes about ten minutes. Before you donate, apply for help, or volunteer, run through this short list:

Metro Atlanta: Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb and Gwinnett

Most listings sit in four metro counties. Fulton County holds Atlanta, Alpharetta and Roswell. Examples include the Ellis Kerley Foundation on Cumberland Parkway Southeast in Atlanta, the Georgia Civil Justice Foundation in Alpharetta, and the Foster Care Support Foundation in Roswell. Foster care itself is run by the state's Division of Family and Children Services, so private groups like this one usually supplement the public system instead of replacing it.

Cobb County spreads across Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw and Acworth. Our records include the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation in Marietta, the Dunn Foundation in Smyrna, the Cool Dreams Foundation in Kennesaw and the Clean Vehicle Education Foundation in Acworth. Several of these have a narrow mission, so read each listing carefully before you call.

DeKalb County includes Decatur, where the Community Achievement Center is listed on Flat Shoals Parkway, and Clarkston, a city long known for refugee resettlement. Gwinnett County is one of the state's most populous counties and stretches from Lawrenceville to Norcross, Duluth, Suwanee, Buford and Lilburn. Listings there include the Wishes 4 ME Foundation, The Give Back Project, the Enterline Foundation, the Haitian Timoun Foundation and Catholic Charities.

Transit shapes access. MARTA serves mainly Fulton and DeKalb, while Cobb and Gwinnett run their own county bus systems with narrower coverage. Many suburban nonprofits sit in office parks without a nearby stop, so confirm the address, parking and entrance before you travel. Rush-hour traffic on the Perimeter and the major interstates can also turn a short drive into a long one.

Savannah, Augusta, Macon, Columbus and the Georgia Coast

Outside Atlanta, Georgia's regional cities act as hubs for the counties around them. In Chatham County, the Latin American Services Organization is listed on Abercorn Street in Savannah. In Richmond County, the Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area is on Greene Street in Augusta. A community foundation pools gifts from many donors and distributes grants, so it is a good place to learn which local groups are active and trusted.

Four of these cities have consolidated governments: Augusta-Richmond County, Macon-Bibb County, Columbus-Muscogee County and Athens-Clarke County. The city and county operate as one jurisdiction, which can make it easier to find the right local agency. In Macon the Conner Foundation is listed on Gleneagles Circle, and in Columbus the Association of Sickle is on Quail Creek Drive in Muscogee County.

On the coast, the GIAR Technology Committee is listed on Glynn Avenue in Brunswick, in Glynn County. Coastal charities also carry a seasonal load. Hurricane season runs from June through November and brings evacuation and recovery work. Hurricane Helene in 2024 showed that storm relief can reach well inland, including the Augusta area, and regional nonprofits often become the first coordinating point for supplies and volunteers.

Smaller Cities and Rural Georgia

Georgia's smaller cities anchor their counties. LaGrange is the seat of Troup County, where the Fuller E Callaway Foundation is based. Carrollton, Athens, Conyers and McDonough each have listings too: the Salvation Army in Carrollton, St Joseph Charity on Prince Avenue in Athens (Clarke County), My Sisters Keeper Foundation For Women in Conyers, and the Kensley Grace Foundation in McDonough (Henry County).

In rural counties, few nonprofits have a storefront. Help usually comes through churches, regional food banks, community action agencies and the county Division of Family and Children Services office. Dialing 211 connects you to a statewide referral line that can point to the nearest provider, and the Georgia Gateway portal handles applications for benefits such as SNAP and Medicaid. If your county has no listing here, search a neighboring county, because many organizations serve several counties from one hub office.

What to Bring and Ask Before You Visit

Most Georgia charities are small, and many rely on volunteers. Call first to confirm hours, service area and whether you need an appointment. Ask what documents they want so you only make one trip.

Bring photo identification, proof of your Georgia address, and any papers tied to your request, such as a utility bill, lease, eviction notice or income statement. Programs differ on eligibility, and a foundation may fund organizations only, never individuals. Legitimate charities do not charge a fee to apply for help. If someone asks for payment up front, walk away.

Donors should ask for a written receipt. The IRS requires a written acknowledgment for single gifts of $250 or more before you can claim a deduction. Volunteers should ask about background checks and minimum commitments, especially for programs that serve children.

Nonprofit organizations operating in Georgia must register with the state attorney general's charitable trust section and comply with state solicitation licensing requirements in addition to meeting federal IRS requirements for tax-exempt status. Georgia's charity registration process helps protect residents from fraudulent fundraising operations.

Charity Nonprofit locations are available in 89 cities across Georgia. They are spread across 56 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration include Atlanta, Marietta, Savannah, which typically host large concentrations of nonprofits serving regional populations across health, human services, education, and arts sectors.

Donors in Georgia can verify that a charity is properly registered with the state by contacting the Georgia Attorney General's office or searching the state's online charity registration database before making a contribution.

Charity Nonprofit by Counties

B
C
D
E
F
G
H
J
L
M
O
P
R
S
T
U
W

Nonprofits seeking grant funding in Georgia should explore state-level grant programs administered through the Georgia Department of Health, Department of Education, or community services block grant programs. Many Georgia foundations also fund local nonprofits through competitive grant cycles that typically open annually.

Browse Charity Nonprofit by county across Georgia to find the nearest location.

Reading Georgia Nonprofit Listings Accurately

Nonprofit records change faster than most public offices. Organizations move, rename themselves, merge or go dormant, and the details in any directory can lag behind. Treat each listing as a starting point and confirm the phone number and address before you travel, especially if you need time-sensitive help.

Some addresses on file are an officer's or registered agent's address rather than a public office. A foundation listed on a residential-style street may operate by mail and email only, with no visiting hours. Names can also be shortened, so the Association of Sickle in Columbus may be known by a longer title in its own materials. A quick call clears this up.

Georgia's compliance calendar also tells you something. Nonprofit corporations file an annual registration with the Secretary of State, and the filing window runs from January 1 to April 1. Tax-exempt organizations file a Form 990 with the IRS, generally by the fifteenth day of the fifth month after their fiscal year ends. A group that misses both for several years may be inactive.

Timing matters for donors and volunteers as well. Food pantries and toy drives are busiest in November and December, so extra help is often most welcome in spring and summer, when donations slow down. Call the organization and ask what it needs right now instead of guessing.

Finally, use county names to narrow your search. Georgia's 159 counties are the basic unit for courts, health departments and social services, so the county in an address often determines who serves you.

Georgia Charity Nonprofit FAQs

Start with the Georgia Secretary of State's Corporations Division, which lets you search business and nonprofit records online and see whether a corporation is active. Then check the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search to confirm 501(c)(3) status, and review the group's Form 990 for its budget and program spending. If it solicits donations from the public, ask whether it is registered under the Georgia Charitable Solicitations Act. Finally, call the number in our listing and confirm the address. A real charity will gladly explain its programs, who qualifies, and how it uses donations.

Generally yes. The Georgia Charitable Solicitations Act requires most charitable organizations that solicit contributions in the state to register with the Secretary of State before asking, and to renew on a schedule. Some groups are exempt, and certain religious organizations are often among them, but exemptions depend on the details. Registration is separate from incorporating as a nonprofit and separate from IRS recognition, so a group can have all three, one, or none. If you plan to fundraise, contact the Secretary of State's office or an attorney who knows Georgia nonprofit law before you start.

Dial 211 first. The statewide line, run through United Way, refers callers to food, housing, utility and other help near them. Next, contact your local Division of Family and Children Services office, and apply for benefits such as SNAP or Medicaid through the Georgia Gateway portal. Many rural counties also have a community action agency and church-based pantries. If our directory shows no listing in your county, check a neighboring county, since a nonprofit in a hub such as Macon, Augusta or Savannah may serve several surrounding counties. Call ahead to confirm they cover your address.

Usually not. Most foundations, including private family foundations like those listed in Macon, LaGrange and Atlanta, make grants to other nonprofits, schools and agencies rather than to individuals. Their websites or published guidelines state who may apply, and many accept proposals only at set times or by invitation. For help with rent, utilities or food, a direct-service organization such as the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities or a local community action agency is a better first call. Community foundations, such as those serving the Augusta area and northeast Georgia, can also tell you which local groups are active in your area.

The usual sequence has four steps. First, file articles of incorporation with the Georgia Secretary of State's Corporations Division. Second, adopt bylaws, appoint a board and obtain an employer identification number from the IRS. Third, apply to the IRS for 501(c)(3) recognition, using Form 1023 or the shorter Form 1023-EZ if you qualify. Fourth, handle Georgia requirements, including annual registration with the Secretary of State, any state tax exemption through the Department of Revenue, and charitable solicitation registration if you will ask the public for money. The Georgia Center for Nonprofits in Atlanta offers training and guidance for new organizations.

Match the city to its county. Savannah is in Chatham County, Augusta in Richmond County, Columbus in Muscogee County and Brunswick in Glynn County. Macon sits in Bibb County, where the city and county governments merged into Macon-Bibb County in 2014. Atlanta spans Fulton and part of DeKalb, so a listing with an Atlanta mailing address may fall in either. Suburbs add confusion: Marietta, Smyrna and Kennesaw are in Cobb County, while Alpharetta and Roswell are in Fulton. Use the county in the street address when you check a group's service area.