Community Foundation of West Georgia

10/27/2026

Celebrating those who serve!

We loved attending Caliber 1 Construction, Inc.'s 4th Annual First Responder Appreciation Event last week to honor the men and women who keep West Georgia safe.

Huge thanks to Community Foundation of West Georgia Board Member Jenny Elliott and the Caliber1 team for bringing everyone together, and to our first responders for always being there for our neighbors when it matters most!

10/21/2026

Jennifer and Cindy enjoyed attending the Greater Haralson Chamber’s Lunch on Us event on Friday!

One of the best parts of being involved in our communities is getting to know the people who care so deeply about the places they call home. When we take time to connect with one another, we build relationships that can lead to new ideas, shared opportunities, and stronger support for the people who live here.

At the Community Foundation of West Georgia, we believe these connections matter. We’re thankful for opportunities to spend time with others who are invested in Haralson County and its future.

Thank you to the Greater Haralson Chamber of Commerce for bringing everyone together!

10/20/2026

Happy Birthday, Jeri!

Today, we’re celebrating Jeri Shaffer! We’re so glad to have her as part of the CFWG team and hope her birthday is filled with plenty of smiles and a little extra fun.

Help us wish Jeri a wonderful birthday! 💚

10/19/2026

Grants at Work: Giving Hearts, Inc.

When grocery prices climb, a higher bill isn't just an inconvenience for a family on a tight budget. It can mean the difference between a full dinner table and an empty plate.

That is why the work of Giving Hearts, Inc is so critical.

With support from a 2025 Community Impact Grant, Giving Hearts has been a steady lifeline for families across Carroll County and surrounding areas. Even as food shortages and rising costs created tough obstacles, Executive Director Denise Shackelford and her team worked tirelessly to ensure local families "never missed a beat."

By building stronger partnerships with local businesses, churches, and neighbors, they kept pantry shelves stocked when families needed it most.

Behind every bag of groceries is a parent working to put dinner on the table, a child needing a nutritious meal, or a neighbor facing a hard season. We are deeply grateful for Giving Hearts and everyone who rallies around their mission to keep our community nourished and supported close to home.

Want to help ensure local families always have a place to turn? Join us in supporting the organizations caring for West Georgia. Become a Community Impact Donor today: https://bit.ly/47u8BD6

10/14/2026

Grants at Work: Impact West Georgia

Sometimes, finding a way forward starts with having a safe place to begin.
In 2025, Impact West GA received a Community Impact Grant from the Community Foundation of West Georgia to support its work providing shelter, transitional housing and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness.

W., a lifelong West Georgian and U.S. Army veteran who served two tours in Afghanistan, eventually found himself experiencing homelessness after a series of difficult circumstances.

When he came to Impact West Georgia’s HOPE Center, W. said he felt stuck in a loop and couldn’t find a way out. At HOPE, he found what he described as “a big family” and people who encouraged him to keep moving forward.

And then something changed. With encouragement from the people around him, W. returned to Georgia Tech and finished his degree, an accomplishment he once never imagined for himself.

“I’m so thankful I listened,” he said.

Over the past year, Impact West Georgia provided 604 nights of emergency shelter to 86 individuals, while the HOPE Center served 20 individuals and helped six transition into permanent housing.

Behind every number is a person with a story, a future and the potential for a new beginning. We’re proud to partner with Impact West Georgia and help make those new beginnings possible right here at home!

Want to help create more possibilities? Become a Community Impact Donor today: https://bit.ly/47u8BD6

10/09/2026

10/06/2026

Great conversation, inspiring updates, and plenty of UWG spirit to start the day right!

Mitchell, Jennifer, and Jennie spent a fantastic morning with the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce at the UWG Spirit Membership Breakfast!

There is so much momentum building at the University of West Georgia, and hearing about the exciting opportunities ahead was both inspiring and energizing. UWG brings immense vitality, talent, and energy to our region, and having them as a core pillar of our community is something to celebrate.

Mornings like this remind us of the power of local connection. When we gather to share ideas, support local vision, and strengthen our ties, we build a stronger, more resilient West Georgia together.

(Plus, Jennie made a new friend! We’d say she and Wolfie quickly became great friends!)

Thank you to the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce for cultivating spaces where collaboration and community thrive. We’re excited for all the partnerships ahead!

10/01/2026

There is nothing quite like the smell of slow-cooked BBQ, the hum of great conversation, and the energy of a community showing up for one another. Mitchell, Jennifer, and Cindy got to experience all three when they headed over to RaLin's 5th Annual Builders & BBQ, and what an unforgettable afternoon it was!

From the moment we arrived, the warmth of West Georgia was on full display. We spent the day catching up with old friends, shaking hands with new faces, and standing shoulder to shoulder with folks who share the exact same passion we do: making our region an incredible place to call home.

And let us talk about the competition: 22 talented BBQ teams fired up their smokers, putting some serious bragging rights on the line! While the food was phenomenal, the real magic was watching our community gather around the table to laugh, connect, and champion a cause close to all of our hearts.

A highlight of the afternoon was spending time with Cliff Harris, Vice President of Business Development and Public Affairs at RaLin, who also serves as a valued CFWG board member. We are so grateful for Cliff’s leadership, heart, and dedication. Having his voice at our table, bringing his deep love for West Georgia to both RaLin and CFWG, is a true privilege.

Best of all? Every delicious plate served helped support the brave officers of the Carrollton Police Foundation!

A huge, heartfelt thank you to our friends at RaLin for hosting another incredible event and for reminding us what community spirit is all about. We are already counting down to next year!

09/30/2026

Grants at Work: The Social Den

What started as a simple vision to bring young adults with disabilities together has quickly grown into a thriving community that the participants are actively shaping themselves! With support from a 2025 Community Impact Grant, the University of West Georgia Foundation created The Social Den, an inclusive social group where young adults with disabilities can connect, try new activities, and build lasting friendships.

The response from our community has been overwhelming in the best way possible.

"We anticipated there was a need for inclusive social opportunities, but we underestimated the response," shared Haley Jackson, Executive Director of Development. "We consistently had 15 to 20 participants with disabilities attend each community outing!"

What makes this program so incredible is that the very people The Social Den was built for are now taking the lead on where it goes next. Looking ahead to the fall, participants have already picked out an exciting lineup of events, including movie nights, bowling, trips to a trampoline park and an indoor slide park, and attending Winter West at UWG.

We are proud that a grant from the Community Foundation of West Georgia is helping make a space like The Social Den possible, a place where young adults can come together, try new things, and design their own fun.

Want to help make more empowering projects like this possible across West Georgia? Become a Community Impact Donor today and help us support the programs that make our community stronger for everyone! https://bit.ly/47u8BD6