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 Blackbaud Applicant Portal.

• Your organization a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or you have a fiscal sponsor
• Your work primarily takes place within the 21-county Metro Atlanta region or statewide in Georgia
• Your organization focuses on improving access to education or mental health for children, youth, or families
• Your work primarily strengthens systems or infrastructure (e.g., workforce development, policy/advocacy, coordination, navigation, shared pathways)
• Your organization is rooted in or accountable to the communities most affected by inequities in education or mental health access

The Foundation has transitioned to a new Blackbaud portal where grantees can manage applications across different funders that use this platform with a single Blackbaud ID. First-time users should create an account using an email and a password. Read our FAQs for more information.

We welcome proposals that strengthen the workforce, improve the systems that shape access, or coordinate efforts across organizations and sectors. Proposals focused primarily on delivering or expanding direct services are less likely to advance to the site visit stage.

What to Include

In your 500–750 word proposal, we suggest including the following, as relevant to your work:

• A brief overview of your organization and its role in the education or mental health ecosystem
• The purpose of the funding request and why this grant is timely
• How your work strengthens access through workforce development, systems improvement, policy/advocacy, or coordination
• How your organization’s approach advances equity, particularly for populations most affected by disparities
• The impact you aim to achieve over the next one to three years
• Any key partnerships or coordination efforts that improve access or navigation for the communities you serve

(Not all elements apply to every organization. Please focus on what best represents your work.)

The Foundation has transitioned to a new Blackbaud portal where grantees can manage applications across different funders that use this platform with a single Blackbaud ID. First-time users should create an account using an email and a password. Read our FAQs for more information.

Trustees review all submitted proposals during scheduled board meetings. Typically, a small number of proposals are selected for further evaluation through a site visit, with funding decisions made in the following quarter.

Applicants whose proposals do not move forward will be notified after the board meeting. Proposals may be declined due to alignment with funding priorities or limited grantmaking capacity, and such decisions are not a reflection of an organization’s value or the importance of its work.

If selected for a site visit, applicants will be notified by email. The Foundation will request additional strategic or financial materials in advance of a virtual, hybrid, or in-person visit.

Following the visit, staff will synthesize findings and make a funding recommendation to the appropriate committee. Final funding decisions consider the organization’s needs and the Foundation’s available grantmaking resources.

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 support shared learning and reflection, organizations are asked to share updates at the end of the grant period or annually, depending on the grant type. Updates may take the form of a brief written narrative with optional photos, or a virtual or in-person conversation, based on the organization’s preference.

Foundation staff will reach out as the reporting period approaches to confirm the preferred format and coordinate timing.