Application Guidelines
Our Timeline & Process
The Sartain Lanier Family Foundation has two grantmaking cycles each year.
We welcome nonprofits working in Atlanta to share updates on their work through our Exploratory Submission form. This short form replaces our former Letter of Inquiry process and offers a simple way for organizations to tell us about their priorities, greatest needs, and current work.
We support many organizations across Atlanta each year, primarily through multi-year, general operating grants. Because we make long-term commitments, a significant portion of our future grantmaking budget is already allocated to current partners. Even so, we regularly consider opportunities to deepen existing relationships and, when possible, begin new ones.
Exploratory Submission Form
This form is not a formal grant application or a request for funding. Instead, it helps us:
- Learn about your organization’s mission, work, and greatest needs
- Identify potential alignment with our focus areas in K–12 education
- Stay connected with organizations we have supported in the past
- Understand emerging needs and promising practices across Atlanta
- Elevate meaningful work with peer funders and community partners
- Maintain regular communication with organizations that typically apply annually
The Exploratory Submission includes one main question about your organization’s greatest needs right now. You may also upload a brief attachment if you’d like to share more about your work or strategy. You may complete the form at any time.
Complete the Exploratory Submission FormHow Submissions Are Reviewed
Our team reviews Exploratory Submissions on a rolling basis throughout the year. Formal review by our Grants Committee occurs twice annually:
- February review cycle – includes all submissions received by end of day Feb 1
- September review cycle – includes all submissions received by end of day Sept 1
You will hear from us if your organization is invited to take a next step, such as submitting a full proposal or having a conversation with our staff.
Even when a submission does not lead to immediate funding, it is reviewed thoughtfully. These updates strengthen our understanding of the landscape and help shape future opportunities.
Submitting a Grant Application
If your organization is invited to apply for funding, you will hear from us by the end of February or end of September. The grant application includes a request for a copy of your most recent strategic plan, board roster, breakdown of revenue and expenses, and additional information on how your organization measures success and recent results. If your organization is asked to host a site visit as part of your application, please submit the full proposal at least 24 hours before the visit.
Grant Application Timeline
| SPRING GRANT CYCLE | FALL GRANT CYCLE | |
|---|---|---|
| Notification of invitation to submit full proposal | March 1 | October 1 |
| Final day to submit full proposal | April 1 | November 1 |
| Site Visit (if requested) | March & April | October & November |
| Board Meeting | Early May | Early December |
| Notification of Grant Award | 72 hours after board meeting | 72 hours after board meeting |
| Payment Initiated | Mid-May | Mid-December |
We hope this streamlined approach makes it easy to stay connected as your work evolves, and we are grateful for the many organizations that strengthen Atlanta’s educational ecosystem.
