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J C Kennedy Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$4.5M

J C Kennedy Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ~$4.5 million (2023)
  • Total Assets: $85.8 million (2023)
  • Grant Range: Varies widely based on project
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Atlanta, GA and Southeast United States
  • Foundation Type: Private Family Foundation
  • Application Process: No public application process

Contact Details

  • Address: 6205a Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, GA 30328-4524
  • Telephone: 678-645-4659
  • EIN: 20-0424251

Overview

The J C Kennedy Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in 2003 by James C. Kennedy, Chairman Emeritus of Cox Enterprises and grandson of company founder James M. Cox. The foundation has grown significantly since its inception, with total assets increasing from $8.2 million in 2011 to $85.8 million in 2023. In 2023, the foundation received $18.6 million in contributions and distributed approximately $4.5 million in charitable grants. Since 2019, the foundation has awarded 185 individual grants totaling over $6 million.

James C. Kennedy is a noted philanthropist who, along with his wife Sarah, was named Philanthropists of the Year by the Greater Atlanta Chapter of the Association for Fundraising Professionals. Kennedy has demonstrated a deep commitment to conservation, education, and health causes through both personal giving and his various foundation activities.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Athletics

  • The foundation provides significant support for athletics, with particular emphasis on tennis facilities and programs
  • Sports-related giving includes support for tennis centers and recreational programs

Conservation & Environment

  • Wetlands and waterfowl conservation
  • Land protection and conservation easements
  • Environmental sustainability initiatives
  • Trail and greenway development

Health Organizations

  • Healthcare facilities and wellness centers
  • Medical research initiatives
  • Patient-centered care programs

Education

  • Early childhood education and literacy
  • Higher education support
  • Scholarship programs
  • Educational research institutions

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusion criteria are not publicly documented for this private family foundation. As a family foundation, grants are made at the discretion of the trustees based on their philanthropic interests and personal connections.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

  • James C. Kennedy - President/Trustee (Compensation: $0)

    • Chairman Emeritus of Cox Enterprises and Chairman of the James M. Cox Foundation
    • Grandson of former Ohio Governor and presidential candidate James M. Cox
    • Named Philanthropist of the Year with wife Sarah by AFP Greater Atlanta Chapter

  • Barbara K. Harty - Vice President/Trustee (Compensation: $10,000)

  • James C. Kennedy Jr. - Secretary/Treasurer/Trustee (Compensation: $10,000)

  • Clay K. Kennedy - Trustee (Compensation: $10,000)

  • Nancy K. Rigby - Assistant Secretary (Compensation: $0)

The Kennedy family maintains close involvement in foundation activities, consistent with its classification as a family foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The J C Kennedy Foundation Inc operates as a private family foundation, and grants are awarded at the discretion of the Kennedy family trustees. There is no online application portal, published guidelines, or formal grant application procedure available to the general public.

Grants appear to be directed to organizations with which the Kennedy family has existing relationships or personal connections, or that align closely with James C. Kennedy's documented philanthropic interests.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's focus areas and James C. Kennedy's known philanthropic involvement, organizations may consider:

  • Conservation Organizations: Kennedy has deep ties to conservation groups, particularly those focused on wetlands and waterfowl. He was founding president of Wetlands America Trust and has served on the board of Ducks Unlimited. Organizations working in these spaces in the Southeast and intermountain West may benefit from visibility at conservation events and conferences where the Kennedy family is active.

  • Atlanta-Based Organizations: The foundation is headquartered in Atlanta, and Kennedy's philanthropic focus includes the greater Atlanta region. Local nonprofits working in priority areas (athletics, health, education, environment) may have greater visibility.

  • PATH Foundation Connection: Kennedy serves on the board of the PATH Foundation, dedicated to creating an interconnected network of greenway trails throughout the Atlanta region. Organizations connected to trail and greenway development may find alignment.

  • Education and Literacy: Kennedy has demonstrated commitment to early childhood education and literacy through grants to organizations such as the Atlanta Speech School, Drew Charter School, and Reach Out and Read.

Decision Timeline

As a private family foundation without a formal application process, there is no published decision timeline. Grants are made based on trustee meetings and discretionary decisions.

Reapplication Policy

No public reapplication policy exists, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, based on documented giving patterns:

Alignment with Kennedy Family Values: Organizations that align with James C. Kennedy's demonstrated interests—particularly conservation (especially wetlands/waterfowl), early childhood education, healthcare, and athletics—are most likely to receive support.

Geographic Relevance: Organizations in the Atlanta area and Southeast United States appear to receive priority consideration, though Kennedy's conservation work extends to the intermountain West.

Institutional Credibility: Given the significant grants made to established institutions like Emory University, Clemson University, and major conservation organizations, the foundation appears to favor organizations with proven track records.

Personal Connections: As a family foundation, relationships with trustees and the Kennedy family network appear to be the primary pathway to funding consideration.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This is a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited proposals. Grant writers should not expect to submit applications through traditional channels.

  • Relationship-driven giving: Grants appear to flow through existing relationships and personal connections of the Kennedy family. Building visibility within networks where the Kennedys are active may be the only pathway.

  • Strong conservation focus: James C. Kennedy has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to conservation, particularly wetlands and waterfowl preservation. Organizations in this space with connections to groups like Ducks Unlimited or Wetlands America Trust may have better visibility.

  • Atlanta-centric but not exclusive: While the foundation is based in Atlanta and supports many local organizations, Kennedy's conservation interests extend nationally.

  • Significant capacity: With $85.8 million in assets and annual giving of approximately $4.5 million, the foundation has substantial resources to deploy for aligned causes.

  • Multi-generational family involvement: With Kennedy's children serving as trustees, the foundation appears positioned for continued operation as a family philanthropic vehicle.

  • Consider related foundations: Organizations seeking Kennedy family support might also explore the James M. Cox Foundation (Cox Enterprises' corporate foundation), which has a published application process and shares similar focus areas.

References

Information compiled December 2024

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