Amarillo Area Foundation/
The Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation
2017Discretionary Grant Programs
Each year, the Amarillo Area Foundation and its supporting organization, The Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation, consider grant requests from public charities located within the northernmost 26 counties of Texas. The application process is competitive and nonprofit organizations located within the Texas Panhandle are encouraged to apply. (Individuals and non-charitable agencies are not eligible to apply for funding.)
Grant applications are considered by the Amarillo Area Foundation and its supporting organization, The Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation, via a single application. The Amarillo Area Foundation Board reviews requests and may refer applications that meet the Harrington Foundation guidelines to its Board for consideration. The Harrington Foundation does not receive grant requests directly from nonprofit organizations.
The Amarillo Area Foundation also accepts applications through its Catalyst Grant Program. Created in 2016, the Catalyst Grant Program provides grant awards from $2,500 to $20,000 for programs and projects that fall within the Foundation’s grant focus areas. Organizations seeking grant funds above $20,000 will continue to use the Discretionary Grant application.
An organization may only submit a grant application to the Amarillo Area Foundation once per twelve-month period and must choose to submit either a Catalyst Grant application or a Discretionary Grant application. In addition, any reporting requirements of a previous Foundation grant must be fulfilled before an organization is eligible to apply.
Visit and click on “Foundation Grant Programs” for guidelines and priorities.
During 2017, the Discretionary/Catalyst grant cycles will be as follows:
Applications Due / Board ReviewMarch 1 / April/May
June30 / August/September
If funds are available, a third grant cycle may be held in 2017 with a November 1, 2017 application deadline.
Applications are available at aaf.spectrumportal.net and must be submitted through the online portal. Please click on the ‘Application’ page of the website to get more information about the Spectrum Portal and the application process. Upon submission, applications and accompanying materials become the property of the Foundation and are used as deemed appropriate. These materials may be reviewed with others as part of the assessment process. Information may also be shared with other foundations and funding sources that call for information about community projects.
The Boards of Directors are responsible for final approval of each grant request. Since the Foundation receives funding requests far in excess of funds available for grants, the application process is competitive. A decision not to fund a proposal does not necessarily reflect on the merits of the applicant or the value of the project. Visit for more information. Applicants are encouraged to contact Foundation staff to arrange an appointment to discuss the potential request or questions. For more information about the Amarillo Area Foundation or about applying for grants, contact Kathie Grant, Grants Administrator, (806) 376-4521 or .
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The Amarillo Area Foundation is a community foundation that serves the northernmost 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle. The mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Texas Panhandle. Since its inception in 1957, the Foundation has provided grants and a variety of other services to strengthen nonprofit organizations and the services they deliver.