John H & Wilhelmina D Harland
The John H. & Wilhelmina D. Harland Charitable Foundation is an Atlanta-based private foundation established in 1972. It supports effective, well-led organizations serving children, youth, and families in low-income communities, responding to community needs, and fostering arts education.
John H & Wilhelmina D Harland at a glance
In short: John H & Wilhelmina D Harland gave $1.2M across 41 grants in 2024 (avg $29K), mostly in Georgia. 32% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,200,000
- -7.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 41
- +2.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $29,268
- -9.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $37,668,530
- +5.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (13 of 41, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Georgia (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to John H & Wilhelmina D Harland
- How to Apply
-
Organizations interested in the Children and Youth, Community Services, or Arts Education areas begin by submitting a letter of inquiry through the foundation’s application link. The inquiry asks for a brief organizational overview, mission and establishment date, population served, programs and services, up to three funding priorities with estimated project costs, and the CEO’s signature. Required financial and organizational materials include the most recently completed fiscal year’s budget with budget-versus-actual figures, foundation support for the two most recent fiscal years, a balance sheet, board list and giving information, and the organization’s IRS determination letter. If an inquiry is approved, the foundation schedules a meeting; staff then advise the organization about the next application step. The foundation says inquiries must be submitted through its link, not by email, and does not accept late submissions. Organizations may apply once every 12 months, whether or not a prior request was approved.
- Review Cycle
- The 2026 fall-cycle deadline, June 10, 2026, has passed. For the 2027 spring cycle, letters of inquiry are due December 16, 2026, and the submission link is scheduled to open November 23, 2026. The deadline for the 2027 fall cycle has not been determined.
- Deadline
- The 2026 fall-cycle deadline, June 10, 2026, has passed.
- Contact
Application contact: Gail G Byers Grants Manager
Mailing address: 2 Piedmont Center Ste 710, Atlanta, GA 30305
Phone: (404) 264-9912
Email: info@harlandfoundation.org
Website: https://www.harlandfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from John H & Wilhelmina D Harland
Who John H & Wilhelmina D Harland funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Woodruff Arts Center ($100K). Together the top 10 received $425K.
Grant Size Distribution
194 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 181 grants of 194 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation gives priority to nonprofits in the City of Atlanta and DeKalb County and makes no grants outside Georgia. Its 2024 filing reports that all grant dollars went to recipients in Georgia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 41 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is John H & Wilhelmina D Harland open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 13 of 41 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $34K; repeat grants $27K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 32% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+9%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 89% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $890K (2020) to $1.3M (2023). In 2024 it made 41 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Woodruff Arts Center Atlanta, GA | Support Recipient Organization's Charitable Activities | $100,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta Atlanta, GA | Support Recipient Organization's Charitable Activities | $75,000 |
| Open Hand Atlanta, GA | Support Recipient Organization's Charitable Activities | $50,000 |
| Atlanta Police Foundation Atlanta, GA | Support Recipient Organization's Charitable Activities | $35,000 |
| Cool Girls Atlanta, GA | Support Recipient Organization's Charitable Activities | $35,000 |
| Families First Atlanta, GA | Support Recipient Organization's Charitable Activities | $30,000 |
| Andrew P Stewart Centeer Atlanta, GA | Support Recipient Organization's Charitable Activities | $25,000 |
| Automotive Training Center Atlanta, GA | Support Recipient Organization's Charitable Activities | $25,000 |
| Bearings Bike Works Atlanta, GA | Support Recipient Organization's Charitable Activities | $25,000 |
| Breakthough Atlanta Atlanta, GA | Support Recipient Organization's Charitable Activities | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with John H & Wilhelmina D Harland?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $37,668,530 | $2,650,686 | $1,957,562 | $1,200,000 | 41 | $1,598,661 | $2,399,269 | $1,800,989 |
| 2023 | $35,814,355 | $1,073,856 | $1,838,122 | $1,290,000 | 40 | $1,743,319 | $722,436 | $1,723,343 |
| 2022 | $35,093,397 | $1,436,298 | $2,210,795 | $1,245,000 | 43 | $1,612,268 | $1,088,943 | $1,708,777 |
| 2021 | $38,688,564 | $10,050,874 | $2,040,240 | $1,103,500 | 35 | $1,454,245 | $9,703,334 | $1,707,444 |
| 2020 | $34,766,891 | $734,846 | $1,457,985 | $890,000 | 35 | — | $464,504 | $1,492,979 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, John H & Wilhelmina D Harland reported a distributable amount of $1.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to support organizations that enhance opportunities for low-income children and youth, respond to critical community needs, and foster a vibrant arts culture. Its three areas of interest are Children and Youth, Community Services, and Arts Education. It supports programs and current operations.
Children and Youth funding includes early childhood education, after-school and summer programs, programs that support success in public schools, and youth violence prevention. Community Services funding supports safety-net programs that collaborate with partners to serve people with the greatest needs and strengthen families across generations. Arts Education funding supports programs intended to enhance students’ educational, social, and emotional outcomes from pre-K through young adulthood.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of grantmaking. Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta describes its work as creating safe, inclusive, and engaging environments to help young people thrive. Families First says it strengthens family resiliency through prevention-based services, including behavioral health, case management, and parenting support. Cool Girls describes its work as empowering girls from low-income communities to make positive choices and pursue academic success. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
The foundation considers requests from organizations classified as public charities under Section 501(c)(3). Applicants must have at least one full-time employee, broad support from their own supporters including board members, and at least two years of operating history providing programs and services. It does not fund start-up operations, annual appeals, special events, individuals, or individual churches. Proposals from private primary or secondary schools are not accepted, except for schools serving children with special needs.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 41 grants totaling $1,200,000. Grants ranged from $25,000 to $100,000, with a median of $25,000. The foundation’s website describes its average grant size as $20,000–$40,000.
The largest reported 2024 awards included $100,000 to Woodruff Arts Center, $75,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, $50,000 to Open Hand, and $35,000 each to Atlanta Police Foundation and Cool Girls. Other recipients included Families First ($30,000), Voices for Georgia’s Children ($25,000), Trees Atlanta ($25,000), Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta ($25,000), and Horizons Atlanta ($25,000). The filing lists the purpose of these grants as support for the recipient organizations’ charitable activities.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Margaret C. Reiser as president, Stephen B. Butler as vice president, Robert E. Reiser Jr. as treasurer, and Jane G. Hardesty as executive director. Trustees listed on that filing are Kathleen Barksdale, Katherine Butler, Bernadette W. Hartfield, and Sam Pettway. The foundation’s filing names Gail G. Byers as grants manager.
John H & Wilhelmina D Harland is led by Jane G. Hardesty, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 8 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jane G. Hardesty
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$133K (2020) → $155K (2024)
Margaret C. Reiser
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bernadette W. Hartfield
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katherine Butler
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen Barksdale
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sam Pettway
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert E. Reiser Jr.
Treasurer
Secretary & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen B. Butler
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: David D. Weitnauer (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Joseph E. Patrick Jr. (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Winifred S. Davis (2020–2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $155K, to Jane G Hardesty (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about John H & Wilhelmina D Harland
How much does John H & Wilhelmina D Harland give each year?
John H & Wilhelmina D Harland gave $1.2M across 41 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.3M across 40 grants.
What is John H & Wilhelmina D Harland's typical grant size?
John H & Wilhelmina D Harland's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $29,268, across 41 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from John H & Wilhelmina D Harland that year got $34K on average.
Where does John H & Wilhelmina D Harland give grants?
John H & Wilhelmina D Harland gives mostly in Georgia: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Atlanta, GA (41 grants).
Does John H & Wilhelmina D Harland give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 41 grants with a stated purpose on John H & Wilhelmina D Harland's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support Recipient Organization's Charitable Activities" (41 grants).
Who are John H & Wilhelmina D Harland's largest grantees?
John H & Wilhelmina D Harland's largest 2024 grantees include Woodruff Arts Center ($100,000), Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta ($75,000) and Open Hand ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 19% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is John H & Wilhelmina D Harland?
John H & Wilhelmina D Harland reported $37.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does John H & Wilhelmina D Harland fund?
The foundation’s mission is to support organizations that enhance opportunities for low-income children and youth, respond to critical community needs, and foster a vibrant arts culture. Its three areas of interest are Children and Youth, Community Services, and Arts Education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from John H & Wilhelmina D Harland?
Organizations interested in the Children and Youth, Community Services, or Arts Education areas begin by submitting a letter of inquiry through the foundation’s application link. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is John H & Wilhelmina D Harland's EIN?
John H & Wilhelmina D Harland's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7225012. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). John H & Wilhelmina D Harland funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/john-h-and-wilhelmina-d-harland-morg_e6e9832e91d34da889032cbbcd98cd2c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237225012_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{John H \& Wilhelmina D Harland funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/john-h-and-wilhelmina-d-harland-morg_e6e9832e91d34da889032cbbcd98cd2c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from John H & Wilhelmina D Harland's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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