Discretionary

Grants

Program SUmmary

Discretionary grants

The Amarillo Area Foundation (AAF) is a community foundation that serves the northernmost 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle with the mission of improving the quality of life in this area. One way AAF supports quality of life in the area is through charitable grant making. Grant requests are submitted to AAF and its supporting organization, The Don & Sybil Harrington Foundation, via one application. The Harrington Foundation (HF) does not receive requests directly from non-profit organizations. 

The Discretionary Grant Program accepts requests over $20,000. Applications are reviewed by AAF staff and presented to the Board of Directors for consideration. Applications are available at aaf.spectrumportal.net and must be submitted through that portal. After submission, applications and all accompanying materials become the property of AAF and are used as deemed appropriate. The materials may be reviewed with others as part of the assessment process. If you have questions about how and why information may be used, feel free to contact us via email at grants@aaf-hf.org or phone at (806) 376-4521. 

AAF does not limit its discretionary grantmaking to any particular field or area of interest; rather, AAF seeks to support the entire range of human needs in the Panhandle. Resources are limited; therefore, the Board of Directors must make funding decisions based on relative need and potential impact. AAF’s four focus areas are education, health, human services, and poverty.  The HF’s interests include hospitals and healthcare agencies, cultural programs, higher education, youth agencies, social services, and civic affairs. 

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Foundation Requirements

THE APPLICANT ORGANIZATION MUST:

Hold a current tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code. This includes a traditional nonprofit agency that has current 501(c)(3) status; a recognized government entity: state, county, or city agency that is requesting funds exclusively for public charitable purposes; a K-12 public school, community/junior college, state college or university; or a church or other faith-based organization with a proposed project that benefits the community at large. Individuals are not eligible applicants.

Use grant funds within and for the benefit of the residents and communities of the 26 northernmost counties of the Texas Panhandle.

Adhere to the following financial requirements:

Annual Operating Budget

Corresponding IRS Requirement

Financial Information Required
<$50,000 990-N (Postcard) Internal financial statements*
$50,000-$499,999 990-EZ or 990 IRS 990 Form
$500,000+ 990 Audit**

*statement of activities (i.e. income/expense statement) and a statement of financial position (i.e. balance sheet)
**annual financial audit completed by independent CPA using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

AAF will not accept proposals from the same organization within 12 months of a previous proposal. If previous proposal was funded, a new proposal will not be accepted within 12 months of the last grant payment.

Proposals that have been previously declined will not be accepted without significant change.

Proposals will not be accepted from organizations that have not fulfilled the reporting requirements of any previous Discretionary or Catalyst grants.

Proposals for projects that have been previously funded will not be accepted.

Applicants must wait 3 years before applying for the same program regardless of approval or declination of previous application.
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Funding Exclusions

AAF will not accept any proposals for projects that serve communities or residents located outside the northernmost 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle. The board also does not grant funds to the following projects: 

  • Religious activities or programs that serve specific religious groups or denominations 
  • Parochial or private schools primarily funded through student tuition 
  • Direct political lobbying or legislative activities (except if lobbying aligns with the core purpose of the foundation) 
  • Debt retirement or deficit funding 
  • Already completed projects 
  • Fundraising activities and events

The Catalyst Program has similar exclusions to the Discretionary Program. If you have questions about what may or may not be eligible, AAF staff is available to discuss potential requests and answer questions about the grantmaking process.  You are strongly encouraged to contact Foundation staff in advance of developing a proposal by e-mailing grants@aaf-hf.org or by calling 806.376.4521 to speak to someone from the Grants Team.