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S T & Margaret D Harris Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.6M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.1M
Success Rate
12%

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $615,133 (2023)
  • Success Rate: 12% (new applicant acceptance rate)
  • Grant Range: $240 - $75,000
  • Total Assets: $22.5 million
  • Geographic Focus: Multi-state (FL, GA, KY, MA, OH, PA, TN)
  • Tax Status: 501(c)(3) Private Foundation

Contact Details

Address: 4062 Peachtree Rd NE Ste A PMB 213, Brookhaven, GA 30319-3021

Phone: (678) 799-2975

EIN: 23-7118609

Note: This foundation does not maintain a public website.

Overview

The S T & Margaret D Harris Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1961 in Texas, now based in Brookhaven, Georgia. With total assets of $22.5 million and annual giving of approximately $615,000, the foundation focuses primarily on educational initiatives. The foundation supports projects across multiple states including Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. In 2023, the foundation made 33 grants, demonstrating active engagement with educational causes and community organizations. Leadership includes Elizabeth Erin Sjostrom (President/Director), Pamela Harris Bilyeu (Director), and Eli Powell Niepoky (Secretary/Director), all of whom serve without compensation, reflecting the foundation's family-operated structure.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation provides primarily general operating grants for educational organizations and related charitable purposes. Grant amounts range from $240 to $75,000, with significant variation depending on the project and organization.

Recent Notable Grants (2023):

  • Clark's Christmas Kids: $55,000
  • Marist School: $50,000
  • We Care Foundation Hall County: $30,000
  • The Eric R Beverly Family Foundation: $30,000

Priority Areas

  • Educational initiatives and institutions
  • Philanthropy and voluntarism support
  • Human services organizations
  • Organizations serving communities in the foundation's geographic focus areas

Geographic Focus

The foundation supports projects primarily in seven states: Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee, with particular emphasis on Georgia.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

  • Elizabeth Erin Sjostrom - President and Director
  • Pamela Harris Bilyeu - Director
  • Eli Powell Niepoky - Secretary and Director

All directors serve without compensation, consistent with the foundation's character as a private family foundation. The governance structure reflects a commitment to personal involvement in philanthropic decision-making.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process or formal grant guidelines available online. As a private family foundation, grants appear to be made at the discretion of the board of directors. The foundation does accept applications from new organizations, with a 12% acceptance rate for new applicants, indicating that while competitive, opportunities exist for organizations not previously funded.

Without a formal application portal or published guidelines, prospective applicants may need to:

  • Contact the foundation directly via phone at (678) 799-2975
  • Submit a letter of inquiry describing the organization and project
  • Provide standard nonprofit documentation (501(c)(3) status, financial statements, project budget)

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. As a private foundation without fixed grant cycles, decisions may be made on a rolling basis or at regular board meetings throughout the year.

Success Rates

The foundation reports a 12% acceptance rate for new applicants. In 2023, the foundation made 33 awards out of what would be approximately 275 applications (if the 12% rate applied consistently), though this is an estimate. The foundation has shown growth in grantmaking activity:

  • 2020: 5 awards
  • 2021: 14 awards
  • 2022: 43 awards
  • 2023: 33 awards

Application Success Factors

Given the private nature of this foundation and lack of published guidelines, the following factors appear relevant based on their grantmaking patterns:

Educational Focus: The foundation's stated priority is educational initiatives. Organizations with clear educational missions or educational components to their programs align most closely with the foundation's interests.

Geographic Alignment: Strong preference for organizations operating in the seven-state region (FL, GA, KY, MA, OH, PA, TN), with Georgia appearing prominent among recipients.

Operational Support: The foundation provides general operating grants rather than restricting funding to specific programs, suggesting they value organizational sustainability and trust grantees to allocate resources effectively.

Established Organizations: Notable recipients like Marist School suggest the foundation supports well-established institutions alongside smaller community organizations.

Multi-Year Track Record: Review of grant history shows some organizations may receive repeat funding, suggesting that building a relationship with the foundation can lead to ongoing support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is a private family foundation without a formal public application process—direct contact via phone is likely necessary
  • Educational organizations and initiatives are the primary focus area
  • Geographic location matters: strongest consideration for organizations in FL, GA, KY, MA, OH, PA, and TN
  • Grant amounts vary widely ($240-$75,000), suggesting flexibility based on project scope and organizational size
  • New applicants face a competitive 12% acceptance rate, but the foundation does consider organizations they haven't previously funded
  • General operating support is available, not just project-specific funding
  • Without published guidelines, demonstrating alignment with educational mission and geographic focus is critical
  • Personal relationships and board connections may play a significant role in a private family foundation's grantmaking decisions

References

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