Building What Lasts in Barrow County

Since its founding, the Barrow Community Foundation has served as a trusted steward of philanthropy, bringing together donors, community leaders, nonprofits, and public partners to address local needs and create lasting opportunities for future generations.

Creating Community Assets

The Foundation played a leading role in raising more than $5 million to support the development of Winder Legacy Park, partnering with the City of Winder and Barrow County School System to create and sustain this extraordinary community asset. Today, the park serves as a vibrant gathering place where residents of all ages can connect, celebrate, and build community.

Advancing Educational Opportunity

The Foundation has stewarded nearly $500,000 in scholarship funds, awarding thousands of dollars annually to deserving students pursuing higher education and workforce training opportunities. Through these scholarships, donors create lasting legacies while investing in the future leaders of our community.

Responding in Times of Crisis

On September 4, 2024, following the tragedy at Apalachee High School, the Foundation activated the Barrow Community Crisis Fund the same day to provide a trusted mechanism for community support and recovery.

Through the generosity of donors across Barrow County and beyond, the fund raised nearly $1 million to support recovery efforts. To date, grants have been awarded to provide:

• Mental health and trauma-informed services for students, families, educators, and community members
• Direct financial assistance to impacted families
• Support and resources for first responders
• Recovery and resiliency initiatives benefiting the school community

The Crisis Fund reflects the Foundation’s commitment to mobilizing generosity when it is needed most and ensuring resources reach those closest to the need.

Addressing Barrow County’s Most Pressing Needs

Building on the power of collaborative philanthropy, the Foundation launched Barrow Together, a community-driven initiative designed to address Barrow County’s most pressing challenges.

Guided by community input and local data, Barrow Together brings donors, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders together to invest in shared priorities and create lasting solutions. Recent funding rounds have focused on:

• Early Literacy, helping children develop the foundational skills necessary for lifelong learning and success
• Housing Insecurity, supporting efforts that promote stability and create pathways toward self-sufficiency for individuals and families

By aligning resources around common goals, Barrow Together is helping create meaningful, measurable impact while strengthening the future of our community.

Inspiring Generosity. Creating Lasting Legacies.

Everything we do is guided by our mission: to inspire generosity to create immediate impact and lasting legacies for the betterment of people in Barrow County. Whether building community assets, investing in students, responding to crisis, or addressing critical community needs, the Foundation remains committed to helping Barrow County thrive—today and for generations to come.