How much funding does Lettie Pate Evans Foundation Grants Program provide?

Funding amounts vary. Check the grant details for specifics.

When is the deadline for Lettie Pate Evans Foundation Grants Program?

The deadline is August 15, 2026.

Lettie Pate Evans Foundation Grants Program

Lettie Pate Evans Foundation Inc

Foundation Semi-annual Grants for Education Grants for Arts Foundation Grants Large Grants for Nonprofits

Apply Now

Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

August 15, 2026

129 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Lettie Pate Evans Foundation Grants Program

Mission: The Lettie Pate Evans Foundation invests in education and arts and culture to improve quality of life.

Funding Approach

Makes a small number of large grants for organizations with strong staff and volunteer board leadership
Prefers organizations with a broad base of financial support, successful program outcomes, and capacity to sustain work long-term
Prefers not to be the only funder for a project; participates with other donors
Seeks to help organizations with proven track records stretch further to seize new opportunities or accelerate impact
Most grants support one-time needs rather than ongoing program or operating needs

Geographic Scope

Primary: Organizations located and operating in Georgia, with focus on metro Atlanta
Secondary: Occasional grants for organizations in Virginia that were supported by Mrs. Evans during her lifetime

Program Areas

1. Education (top priority, largest part of grants portfolio) - Institutional priorities of Georgia's private colleges and universities - Health education, principally through the pediatric medical residency program conducted by Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University - Limited support for capital projects of independent schools that are historic grantees - Educational institutions in Virginia that received support from Mrs. Evans - Does NOT fund: academic research, athletic facilities, endowments, public education, scholarships, or student organizations

2. Arts & Culture (significant part of grants portfolio)
- Capital and capacity-building priorities of mid-sized to large arts and cultural organizations in metro Atlanta
- Significant projects outside Atlanta that promote community development in Georgia cities and have broad local donor support
- Development of organizations in Virginia that received support from Mrs. Evans
- Does NOT fund: endowments, exhibits, festivals, films, individual artists, operating support, performances, publications, sponsorships, or specific works of art

Contact Information

Email: fdns@woodruff.org
Phone: 404.522.6755
Grants Director: Jenny Zhang Morgan
Technical Support: Emily Patteson

Background

Founded in 1945
Has awarded more than 1,000 grants totaling $475 million since founding
Named eight educational institutions among 14 beneficiary organizations in Mrs. Evans' will
Mrs. Evans was Emory University's first and only woman trustee (1944-1953) and Agnes Scott College trustee
Received an honorary degree from Berry College

How to Apply

Application Process

Step 1: Review Guidelines and Determine Eligibility

Review the Foundation's grantmaking guidelines and program interests

Send an informal inquiry to fdns@woodruff.org to determine if you should apply for a grant

Step 2: Eligibility Requirements
Your organization may be eligible for a grant if it:

Is a 501(c)(3) public charity

Is located or operating in Georgia (organizations in Virginia are eligible only if they received support from Mrs. Evans during her life)

Has paid full-time staff and an annual budget over $500,000

Aligns with the Foundation's interests in Arts & Culture or Education

Does NOT fund: individuals, churches, conferences, debt relief, fundraising events, professional associations, sponsorships, or startups

Step 3: Grantmaking Guidelines - Successful Applicants Demonstrate

Strong executive leadership and governance by a board that invests in the organization's success

Sustainable operations (consistently operates in the black with a diversified revenue model)

A broad base of financial support from other donors

Proven effectiveness meeting community needs with measurable impact

Capacity to reach fundraising goals and sustain work long-term

Significant fundraising progress before approaching the Foundation

Step 4: Grant Submission via Online Portal

Submit a request online through Blackbaud's YourCause grant portal

Organizations must set up a new account (portal implemented January 2025)

After logging in, enter your organization's Tax ID number and complete a short eligibility quiz

If eligible, provide contact information and required materials as a single PDF

Required Materials:

1. Grant Request Letter (dated, signed, on letterhead, addressed to Erik S. Johnson, President of the Woodruff, Whitehead and Evans Foundations)
- Maximum 5 pages before attachments
- Should be concise
- Must include:
- Organization section: Mission, history, programs, and impact. Include measurable outcomes, significant partnerships, and population served (demographic and geographic information if available)
- Funding request section: Describe the initiative, challenge to be addressed, project goals, implementation timeline, expected outcomes, and capacity to achieve goals. If initiative adds costs to annual budget, explain how costs will be funded long-term

2. Itemized Project Budget: All major categories of expenses. If personnel included, indicate number of staff

3. Operating Budget: Budgeted and actual amounts for all major income and expense categories for current fiscal year

4. Fundraising Status Report: All sources of support in hand or anticipated, with totals

5. Financial Statements: Most recent audit report

6. Board List: Name, title, and professional affiliation for each member (note officers)

7. Current IRS Determination Letter

Step 5: Grant Review

Requests reviewed by president, grants program director, and program officers

If request is clearly not within giving interests, applicants will be notified promptly

Step 6: Grant Acceptance

If request is accepted for consideration at next Board of Trustees meeting, the Foundation will contact applicant for a meeting or visit

Step 7: Grant Decisions

All grant decisions made by Trustees at board meetings

Applicants will be notified of grant decisions within one week of the Board of Trustees meeting

Application Deadlines

Deadline 1: February 1 (first business day on or after)

Proposals considered at the April Board of Trustees meeting

Deadline 2: August 15 (first business day on or after)

Proposals considered at the November Board of Trustees meeting

Portal Management

Add any staff who should have access to application by clicking "Manage Applicants" in grant portal
Save and return to application by clicking "Return to Saved Grant Request"