Betty and Davis Fitzgerald Foundation Grant

The Betty and Davis Fitzgerald Foundation provides grant funding to organizations aiming to expand opportunities for underserved communities within Georgia, with a strong focus on education and mental health. As a private philanthropic entity, the Foundation prioritizes systemic impact over direct service delivery, aiming to reshape access and infrastructure through coordinated, equity-driven efforts. The Foundation’s stated intent is to empower organizations that are rooted in, or held accountable to, the communities most affected by inequities in access to education and mental health services. The Foundation’s approach to grantmaking is designed around a structured, multi-step process. The first requirement is determining eligibility, which is clearly defined. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or have a fiscal sponsor, operate primarily within Georgia or the 21-county Metro Atlanta region, and focus on improving access to education or mental health for children, youth, or families. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate that their efforts contribute to system-strengthening work, such as workforce development, policy and advocacy, or inter-organizational coordination. The application process begins with a one-page proposal of 500 to 750 words. While not all topics must be addressed, applicants are encouraged to include an organizational overview, a clear articulation of the grant’s purpose, and a demonstration of how their work supports systems change and promotes equity. The proposal should also outline the intended impact over one to three years and detail any strategic partnerships or collaborative mechanisms in place. Applications are submitted through the Foundation’s Blackbaud portal, a unified system allowing applicants to manage multiple applications across participating funders with a single login. Proposals are reviewed by the Foundation’s trustees during scheduled board meetings. Only a small number of applications advance to the next stage—a site visit. If selected for a site visit, applicants will be contacted and asked to provide additional strategic or financial documentation. Site visits may occur virtually, in person, or in hybrid formats. The Foundation’s staff use insights from these visits to draft funding recommendations, which are then reviewed by the appropriate committee for final decisions. Funding decisions weigh both the merit of the proposal and the Foundation’s available grantmaking resources. Applicants are notified of funding decisions within two business days of the relevant board meeting. For grantees, the Foundation prepares agreements and gathers necessary documentation for fund transfer, which typically occurs within 30 business days of finalizing paperwork. Grantees are expected to submit updates either annually or at the conclusion of the grant period. Reporting methods are flexible, allowing for written updates or conversations, with the format coordinated in advance by the Foundation’s staff. The Foundation operates on a triannual grant cycle. In 2026, the submission deadlines are February 3, April 3, and August 3, all due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Applicants are notified of the status of their proposals by the end of the month following each submission deadline. If a proposal is declined, reapplication must wait one full year. For those who receive funding, a new proposal may be submitted at least six months after the conclusion of the grant term. Applications are accepted year-round but will be reviewed in the next cycle if submitted after a deadline. The program is explicitly recurring and provides predictable funding windows to support long-term planning for grantees.

Consultations with staff or board are not required. Applicants should ensure strong alignment with focus areas before applying.