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George and Sarah Buchanan Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.9M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M

George and Sarah Buchanan Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,915,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $150,000
  • Median Grant: $30,000
  • Total Assets: $67.9 million
  • Geographic Focus: National (U.S.)
  • Number of Awards: 69 grants (2024)

Contact Details

Mailing Address (Letter of Inquiry): P.O. Box 11598 Danville, VA 24543

Mailing Address (Foundation Office): P.O. Box 38156 Greensboro, NC 27438-8156

Phone: (336) 255-4142

Email: info@buchananfoundation.com

Website: https://buchananfoundation.com/

Overview

The George and Sarah Buchanan Foundation is a private independent foundation supported by the George B. Buchanan Jr. Estate. Established in North Carolina, the foundation has grown to hold approximately $67.9 million in assets and distributes nearly $3 million annually to 501(c)(3) charitable organizations across the United States. The foundation's mission centers on "providing help and support to those in need" across five distinct focus areas: military support, special needs services, at-risk youth programs, education initiatives, and faith-based organizations. The foundation's grantmaking has expanded significantly in recent years, growing from 17 awards in 2022 to 47 in 2023 and 69 in 2024, demonstrating an increased commitment to charitable giving. Grants are awarded to enhance impactful programs, foster innovation, and strengthen existing organizational systems and capabilities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grant program with no formal application form or deadlines. Organizations submit Letters of Inquiry on a rolling basis.

  • General Operating and Program Support: $5,000 - $150,000
    • Rolling application via Letter of Inquiry
    • Average grant: $42,246
    • Median grant: $30,000
    • Supports projects aligned with one or more of the five focus areas

Priority Areas

Military

  • Supports charities serving military personnel, veterans, and their families during and after service
  • Includes housing assistance for veterans and Gold Star families
  • Recent major grants include: Tunnels to Towers Foundation ($150,000), Wounded Warrior Project ($150,000), and Gary Sinise Foundation ($150,000)

Special Needs

  • Funds organizations improving the lives of individuals with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities
  • Focuses on tailored services and programs that enhance quality of life
  • Grants available up to $30,000 specifically for special needs services

At-Risk Youth

  • Supports initiatives guiding vulnerable youth toward better futures
  • Emphasizes education and mentorship programs
  • Includes interventions for youth facing challenging circumstances

Education

  • Invests in organizations that innovate learning approaches
  • Prioritizes improving access for underserved communities
  • Supports vocational training and scholarship programs
  • Recent grant: Caldwell Academy for scholarship funding ($125,000)

Faith-Based Organizations

  • Funds religious organizations offering spiritual guidance and community service
  • Supports groups addressing needs of vulnerable populations through faith-based approaches

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, as a foundation focused on the five priority areas above, projects outside these categories are unlikely to be considered. The foundation only supports 501(c)(3) charitable organizations.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a volunteer board of trustees who serve without compensation:

  • Robert Buchanan - President
  • George Buchanan III - Vice President
  • Sally Alexander - Secretary/Treasurer

All leadership positions are held on a voluntary, uncompensated basis, ensuring that the maximum amount of foundation resources goes directly to charitable purposes.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The George and Sarah Buchanan Foundation does not require a formal application form and operates on a rolling basis with no deadlines.

Application Method: Send a Letter of Inquiry to: George and Sarah Buchanan Foundation P.O. Box 11598 Danville, VA 24543

Alternatively, prospective applicants can visit the foundation's website at https://buchananfoundation.com/ where applications are available and a step-by-step application guide is provided in the "For Applicants" section.

Organizations must be 501(c)(3) charitable organizations to be eligible. The foundation accepts unsolicited applications from organizations they do not already know.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As the foundation operates on a rolling basis without set deadlines, decision timeframes may vary depending on the timing of submission and the foundation's review schedule.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. With 69 grants awarded in 2024 from total assets of $67.9 million and annual giving of $2,915,000, the foundation has significantly expanded its grantmaking in recent years (from 17 grants in 2022 to 69 in 2024).

Reapplication Policy

The foundation's policy on reapplications from unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Organizations should inquire directly with the foundation if they wish to reapply after an initial declination.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and recent grantmaking patterns, organizations should consider the following when preparing a Letter of Inquiry:

Alignment with Focus Areas Clearly demonstrate how your organization's work aligns with one or more of the five priority areas. The foundation states it is "dedicated to fulfilling our mission of providing help and support to those in need" - applications should emphasize how programs meet critical needs.

Mission-Driven Language The foundation emphasizes awards that "enhance impactful programs, foster innovation, and strengthen existing organizational systems and capabilities." Proposals should articulate not just what you do, but how the grant will enhance impact, enable innovation, or strengthen organizational capacity.

Range of Grant Sizes The foundation awards grants across a wide spectrum ($5,000 to $150,000). Organizations should request amounts appropriate to their project scope and organizational size. Recent data shows the median grant is $30,000, though larger organizations with national reach (like Tunnels to Towers and Wounded Warrior Project) have received the maximum $150,000.

National Scope Accepted While based in North Carolina, the foundation supports organizations across multiple states including Arizona, California, and Texas. Geographic location does not appear to be a barrier to funding.

501(c)(3) Status Required Ensure your organization has current 501(c)(3) status and can provide documentation of this status.

Variety of Organization Types Recent grants demonstrate support for both large national organizations (Wounded Warrior Project, Gary Sinise Foundation) and smaller local entities (Danville Life Saving and First Aid Crew, Caldwell Academy), suggesting the foundation values impact over organizational size.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No deadlines, no formal application form - The rolling Letter of Inquiry process offers flexibility; organizations can apply when ready without waiting for specific funding cycles.

  • Five clear focus areas - Ensure your project clearly fits within military support, special needs, at-risk youth, education, or faith-based services. Projects that span multiple priority areas may be particularly attractive.

  • Wide grant range reflects diverse needs - Don't assume you need to be a large national organization; the foundation funds everything from $5,000 local projects to $150,000 major initiatives.

  • Significant growth in grantmaking - The foundation quadrupled its number of grants from 2022 to 2024, suggesting an expanding appetite for new partnerships and an accessible funding opportunity.

  • Emphasis on innovation and capacity building - Beyond program support, highlight how funding will foster innovation or strengthen organizational systems and capabilities.

  • National reach from regional foundation - Being located outside North Carolina is not a barrier; the foundation actively supports organizations across the United States.

  • Contact information readily available - With both email (info@buchananfoundation.com) and phone access ((336) 255-4142), applicants can reach out with questions before submitting.

References

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