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Florence C & Harry L English Memorial Fund

Annual Giving
$0.9M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $889,168 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 2-3 months (based on grant cycle)
  • Grant Range: Not publicly specified
  • Geographic Focus: Metropolitan Atlanta only (29-county MSA)

Contact Details

Managed by: Truist Bank
Contact: Sofia Bork Aun
Email: sofia.b.aun@truist.com
Application Portal: https://www.truist.com/trusteed-foundations/application-info

Overview

The Florence C. and Harry L. English Memorial Fund is a private foundation established in 1964 to honor Harry and Florence English, with Harry being the son of Atlanta's Mayor from 1882-1884. Managed by Truist Bank as one of six trusteed foundations, the fund has total assets of $17.9 million (2024) and makes charitable disbursements of approximately $889,000 annually. The foundation generates income primarily through investment returns including dividends ($542,049) and sales of assets ($1,878,527). As part of the Truist Trusteed Foundations portfolio, it focuses exclusively on supporting metropolitan Atlanta nonprofit organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as part of the Truist Trusteed Foundations collective application process. Specific grant amounts are not published, but grants focus on:

  • Capital improvements (buildings, furniture, equipment)
  • Special "one-time" needs
  • Pilot programs that don't require recurring expenditures
  • Applications accepted online only through three annual cycles

Priority Areas

  • Leadership Development
  • Economic Mobility
  • Thriving Communities
  • Education
  • Capital improvements and alterations to existing structures
  • Special projects addressing financial well-being or community needs

What They Don't Fund

  • General operating support
  • Salaries
  • Maintenance
  • Debt service
  • Political organizations
  • Churches
  • Individual requests
  • Requests from outside metropolitan Atlanta

Governance and Leadership

Trustee: Truist Bank
Distribution Committee Members:

  • John Geraghty (Distribution Committee)
  • Allison Dukes (Distribution Committee)
  • Kent Moegerle (Secretary)

The foundation operates under the oversight of Truist Bank's Distribution Committee, which reviews all applications and makes funding decisions based on community benefit and return on investment.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Organizations must apply online through the Truist Trusteed Foundations portal. One application automatically considers applicants for all six trusteed foundations including the English Memorial Fund. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications from organizations outside metropolitan Atlanta unless specifically named by the original donor.

Requirements:

  • 501(c)(3) status (automatically verified online)
  • Fiscally sound with no deficit for at least one year
  • Successful operational record
  • Current Annual Operating Budget
  • Projected Operating Budget for next year
  • Current Expense Budget for project/program

Decision Timeline

Grant Cycles:

  • August 1 - November 30: Considered in January
  • December 1 - March 31: Considered in May
  • April 1 - July 31: Considered in October

Notification of Committee decision is made by email following the meeting.

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may reapply in subsequent grant cycles if unsuccessful, though specific waiting periods are not specified.

Application Success Factors

Based on Truist Trusteed Foundations guidelines, successful applications demonstrate:

  • Clear community benefit and return on investment
  • Strong organizational coordination and management
  • Evidence of strategic plan implementation
  • Demonstrated community impact
  • Sound financial management with no operating deficits
  • Focus on one-time needs rather than ongoing operational support
  • Alignment with metropolitan Atlanta community needs
  • Projects that avoid committing funds to recurring expenditures

The Distribution Committee prioritizes organizations that are fiscally sound and serve important needs in the Atlanta community, with preference for capital improvements and pilot programs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic restriction is absolute - only metropolitan Atlanta (29-county MSA) organizations are eligible
  • Apply through the unified Truist Trusteed Foundations portal for consideration by all six foundations
  • Focus proposals on one-time capital needs or pilot programs rather than operational support
  • Demonstrate fiscal stability with at least one year of no deficits
  • Applications are reviewed three times annually with 2-3 month decision timeline
  • Community benefit and ROI are primary evaluation criteria
  • Contact Sofia Bork Aun directly for pre-application inquiries

References

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