John H And Wilhelmina D Harland Charitable Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,290,000 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 6-8 weeks after deadline
• Grant Range: $15,000 - $250,000
• Average Grant: $20,000 - $40,000
• Geographic Focus: Atlanta and DeKalb County, Georgia

Contact Details

Address: Two Piedmont Center, Suite 710, 3565 Piedmont Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30305

Phone: (404) 264-9912

Email: info@harlandfoundation.org

Website: www.harlandfoundation.org

Overview

The John H. and Wilhelmina D. Harland Charitable Foundation was established in 1972 by John H. Harland, founder of the John H. Harland Company (a national firm specializing in check printing and database marketing), as a means of providing ongoing financial support for religious, educational, cultural, and charitable institutions. With assets of approximately $35.8 million, the foundation's mission is to support effective, well-led organizations that enhance opportunities for low-income children and youth, respond to critical community needs, and foster a vibrant arts culture. The majority of their grantmaking focuses on the City of Atlanta and DeKalb County, Georgia, where the foundation's history lies. In 2023, the foundation awarded $1.29 million across 39 grants, with an average grant size ranging from $20,000 to $40,000.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates two grant cycles annually:

• Spring Cycle: Letter of Inquiry deadline in mid-December (December 18, 2025 for 2026 cycle)
• Fall Cycle: Letter of Inquiry deadline in mid-June (June 10, 2026 for 2026 cycle)

Applications are accepted on a fixed deadline basis through an online submission portal (active mid-December and mid-June).

Priority Areas

Children and Youth Support for early childhood education, after-school and summer programs for elementary and middle school students, and programs that enhance success in public schools for low-income children and youth.

Community Services Support for community services that provide a safety net for those in greatest need, including individuals with special needs.

Arts Education (By Invitation Only) Programs aimed at improving educational, social, and emotional outcomes for pre-K through 12 students in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Atlanta and DeKalb County. Note: This priority area is by invitation only and not open to unsolicited applications.

Types of Support

The foundation provides support for:

• Program support
• Current operations (general operating support)

What They Don't Fund

While the foundation does not publish a comprehensive exclusions list, based on their stated priorities:

• Organizations outside of Atlanta and DeKalb County, Georgia (with rare exceptions)
• Arts education proposals (unless specifically invited)
• Organizations that do not hold 501(c)(3) public charity status
• Organizations with less than two years of operating history
• Organizations without at least one full-time employee

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees, with executive management overseeing day-to-day operations and grant review processes. The foundation was established by John H. Harland, who immigrated from Northern Ireland and founded the John H. Harland Company in 1923. His wife, Wilhelmina Harland, was an Atlanta native with international service experience. Specific current board member information is not publicly listed on their website but is available in their annual Form 990-PF filings.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step One: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

Interested organizations must submit a Letter of Inquiry (maximum three pages) on organizational letterhead including:

• Mission statement and year established
• Population served and geographic area
• Major programs and services
• Funding priorities (no more than three) with estimated costs for each

Required supporting documents:

• Most recent fiscal year budget
• Foundation support history
• Balance sheet
• Board member list with total board giving
• 501(c)(3) IRS Determination Letter

Important submission requirements:

• LOIs must be submitted through the online link provided on the foundation's website
• No email submissions accepted
• No submissions accepted after the deadline
• LOIs are reviewed by foundation staff and trustees

Step Two: Meeting

If the Letter of Inquiry is approved, foundation staff will contact the organization to schedule a meeting. The foundation recommends sending three representatives, including both staff and board leadership. This meeting provides an opportunity for the foundation to ask questions and learn more about the organization.

Step Three: Grant Application

Following the meeting, foundation staff will recommend whether or not to submit a formal grant application. If recommended, applicants will receive a Grant Applicant Questionnaire outlining required information and materials. Written notification of the board's decision will be provided after the meeting and application review process.

Decision Timeline

• Spring Cycle: Response by February 15
• Fall Cycle: Response by September 15

Organizations can expect to receive notification approximately 6-8 weeks after the Letter of Inquiry deadline.

Success Rates

The foundation awarded 39 grants in 2023 and 42 grants in 2022. Specific success rate data (percentage of applications funded) is not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may only apply to the foundation once every 12 months, whether a previous grant request was approved or declined. If there is not a fit with the foundation's current priorities, organizations will be notified in writing.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and application process, successful applications likely demonstrate:

Strong Organizational Capacity

• At least two years of operating history providing programs and services
• At least one full-time employee
• Broad support from donors, including financial contributions from board members
• Effective, well-led organizations (as stated in their mission)

Geographic Focus

• Clear demonstration of how the organization serves populations in Atlanta and DeKalb County, Georgia
• Organizations with strongest ties to these specific communities appear to be prioritized

Alignment with Priority Areas

• Clear fit with one of the foundation's three priority areas: Children and Youth, Community Services, or Arts Education (by invitation)
• Focus on serving low-income populations or those in greatest need

Application Quality

• Concise, well-written Letter of Inquiry (maximum three pages)
• Clear articulation of no more than three funding priorities
• Specific estimated costs for each project
• Strong board engagement demonstrated through financial support

Meeting Preparation

• Organizations should be prepared to send three representatives, including both staff and board leadership
• This suggests the foundation values board engagement and governance

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic specificity matters: The foundation has a clear focus on Atlanta and DeKalb County, Georgia. Organizations outside this area are unlikely to be funded.
• Apply strategically: With only two grant cycles per year and a 12-month reapplication waiting period, timing and alignment are critical.
• Keep it concise: The Letter of Inquiry has a strict three-page maximum. Focus on clarity and impact.
• Demonstrate capacity: Two years of operating history, at least one full-time employee, and broad financial support (including from board members) are minimum requirements.
• Average grant range: Plan requests in the $20,000-$40,000 range for highest likelihood of success, though grants up to $250,000 are possible.
• Arts education is invitation-only: Do not apply for arts education funding unless specifically invited by the foundation.
• Board engagement is valued: The foundation requests three representatives (staff and board) for site visits, suggesting they value strong governance and board involvement.

References

• Harland Charitable Foundation official website: www.harlandfoundation.org (accessed January 2026)
• Harland Charitable Foundation Application Process page: https://harlandfoundation.org/ApplicationProcess.html (accessed January 2026)
• Harland Charitable Foundation FAQs: https://www.harlandfoundation.org/FAQs.html (accessed January 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory Profile: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=HARL001 (accessed January 2026)
• Cause IQ Organization Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/john-h-and-wilhelmina-d-harland-charitable-foundat,237225012/ (accessed January 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/john-h-and-wilhelmina-d-harland-charitable-foundation-inc (accessed January 2026)