Together, we can shape a brighter tomorrow by expanding opportunities for underserved communities.

Before applying, please ensure your organization and proposal meet our grantmaking criteria. If aligned, you are welcome to apply through our open process. For help with the grant amount, contact the Foundation’s staff. Note: Consulting with staff or board members before application submission is not required.

If you can answer “yes” to all the following requirements, you are welcome to apply through our Partner Portal.

• Aligned to the Mental Health and/or Education focus area
• Classified as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
• Serves the 21-county Metro Atlanta region
• Works to benefit families with low incomes and living in historically marginalized or underserved communities

Applicants are asked to submit a brief, one-page (750 words or less) response outlining their funding request. Grants may support operations, programs, or special projects, with occasional consideration for capital needs. The online proposal should include:

• A summary of your organization and its commitment to advancing education or mental health equity.
• A clear description of the project or services the grant will support, including measurable outcomes achieved or
  expected impact.
• Information on the communities served and those who have directly benefited from your work.
• Insights into the diversity of your leadership and staff, including the racial and gender makeup of your executive director, board, and team.

Trustees review all submitted proposals during board meetings based on the schedule below. Typically, 6–8 proposals are selected for further evaluation through a site visit, with funding decisions made in the following quarter.

If a proposal does not move forward to the site visit stage, staff will notify applicants of its status—either declined or placed on hold—after the board meeting. Proposals may be declined if they do not align with funding priorities or if the number of grant requests exceeds the available grantmaking budget.

If selected for a site visit, you will be notified by email. The Foundation will request additional materials, including strategic and financial documents, before scheduling a virtual, hybrid, or in-person visit. After the visit, staff will submit a report to the Board, which will determine grant approval and funding amount based on the organization’s needs and the available grantmaking budget.

Approved grantees will be notified by email within two business days of the Board’s decision. The Foundation will then prepare grant agreements and gather the necessary information for the fund transfer. Once all required details are received, funds are typically transferred within 30 business days.

To foster a culture of learning, organizations are asked to submit a report at the end of the grant period or annually, depending on the grant type. Reports can be a brief written narrative with optional photos or a virtual or in-person meeting, based on the grantee’s preference. Foundation staff will reach out as the reporting deadline approaches to confirm the preferred reporting method and schedule interviews if needed.