Georgia communities and organizations can now apply for support to build local leadership programs through the University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute, with proposals due Jan. 29, 2027.
The 2027 call for proposals opened Nov. 9. It offers selected applicants financial support and a multiyear working relationship with Fanning to develop programs for young people, adults or groups spanning generations.
The statewide Georgia invitation is open to communities and organizations in Augusta and neighboring Georgia counties. Applying does not guarantee support.
The Innovations in Community Leadership Initiative asks applicants to identify a specific leadership-development need and the community outcome they want to improve. They must explain why they need financial and partnership support and be prepared to work beyond a single event.
Two letters of support are required from community partners willing to help sustain the effort after Fanning’s initial investment. For a prospective applicant, assembling that partnership is part of the application work, not something to leave until after selection.
The initiative already has a connection to the region. A Nov. 10 announcement carried by Augusta CEO describes Fanning’s work with the Thomson-McDuffie Chamber of Commerce on an Entrepreneurial Leadership Academy for aspiring and existing business owners. That example shows one type of local program; it does not reserve the new funding round for entrepreneurs or guarantee another McDuffie award.
Fanning’s proposed schedule lists an information session Jan. 13, questions due Jan. 20 and the proposal deadline Jan. 29. The public call does not specify an award amount, so groups should confirm the available support and financial expectations before building a budget around it.
Application instructions and the call are linked from the institute’s program page. The opportunity is to develop a sustained local program with partners.