No Halo News · Sourced development
Rise Foundation announced plans to dissolve after unsuccessful efforts to replace a major state grant
The Waynesboro nonprofit told supporters that it would cease operations on October 31. Its founders said discussions about future funding led them to conclude that dissolution was the best option. Reporting showed that a $250,000 state grant represented most of the organization’s fiscal 2023 revenue, while revenue fell to about $121,000 in fiscal 2024 and later requests for comparable state funding were unsuccessful.
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 illustrates heavy dependence on a one-time government grant and will end the organization’s education, training and community-outreach operations unless programs are transferred elsewhere.
Attribution
Who reported or established this
Augusta Free Press reported the closure, financial history and failed state-budget requests, citing the founders’ supporter email, News Leader reporting, state budget records and nonprofit tax records.
Evidence limits
What remains unverified
No Halo has not established the charity’s final liabilities, remaining cash, plans for restricted funds or assets, the number of people affected, or whether the loss of state funding was the sole reason for dissolution.
Right of reply
Organization response
Co-founder Chanda McGuffin-Tucker said she and Sharon Fitz explored funding options and decided dissolution was the best course. The supporter email announced the October 31 closure and requested additional financial support but gave limited detail about the reasons.
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 16, 2026. See an error or a later outcome? Submit a correction or right of reply.