No Halo News · Sourced development
Waynesboro's Rise Foundation reported plans to cease operations on October 31
Augusta Free Press reported that Rise Foundation's co-founders notified supporters that the small Waynesboro nonprofit would cease operations on October 31, 2026. The organization reported approximately $121,000 in 2024 revenue and had been unable to secure requested follow-on state appropriations after receiving a major state grant in an earlier year.
Status matters. This page records a sourced development, not a completed No Halo investigation. An allegation is not a finding. Dismissals, settlements, judgments, corrections and final outcomes remain distinct.
Donor relevance
Why this matters
The closure would end a small regional provider's youth education, community outreach and culturally focused library programming. Its dependence on a large, nonrecurring public grant also illustrates the sustainability risk smaller charities face when temporary funding becomes central to operations.
Attribution
Who reported or established this
Chris Graham of Augusta Free Press reported the closure, citing an email from co-founders Chanda McGuffin-Tucker and Sharon Fitz and separate reporting by The News Leader.
Evidence limits
What remains unverified
No Halo has not reviewed the supporter email, dissolution documents, board minutes or a transition plan. It has not established that the loss of state funding was the sole cause of the closure, how remaining assets and liabilities will be handled or what arrangements will be made for current program participants.
Right of reply
Organization response
Co-founder Chanda McGuffin-Tucker told The News Leader that she and Sharon Fitz discussed possible funding options and concluded that dissolving the organization was the best course. The supporter email reportedly announced the October 31 shutdown but did not provide a detailed public explanation.
Classification
How No Halo records this event
Event type: Operational Contraction. Current state: Pending. No Halo preserves the current procedural state rather than treating every mention as a finding.
Published October 15, 2026 · Last verified October 17, 2026. See an error or a later outcome? Submit a correction or right of reply.