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Melvin Douglas And Victoria Kay Ivester Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$3.1M
Grant Range
$3K - $1.3M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,071,695 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $78.6 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: $3,000 - $1,300,000
  • Median Grant: $50,000
  • Geographic Focus: Hall County, Georgia (with extensions to Hall County students attending institutions elsewhere)
  • Application Method: No public application process; grants awarded through trustee discretion

Contact Details

Foundation Address: 411 Peachtree Battle Ave NW Atlanta, GA 30305-4032

Key Leadership:

  • Lynn J. Darby, President
  • Swinton A. Griffith III, CFO/Treasurer/Secretary
  • M. Douglas Ivester, Director

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grants are awarded based on trustee identification of projects and organizations aligned with the foundation's mission.

Overview

The Melvin Douglas and Victoria Kay Ivester Foundation Inc. was established in 2011 by M. Douglas Ivester (former Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company) and his wife Victoria Kay Ivester. With assets exceeding $78.6 million and annual giving of approximately $3 million, the foundation has a singular geographic focus on Hall County, Georgia. As Doug Ivester explained: "We pretty much decided we'll take everything back to Hall County. We concluded we would have the biggest impact by having a geographic focus on Hall County." The foundation supports education, healthcare, performing arts, visual arts, parks, and gardens, with particular emphasis on programs that benefit Hall County students and residents. Originally planned to operate posthumously, friends convinced the Ivesters to establish it during their lifetime to witness the impact of their generosity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes grants through trustee discretion across several focus areas. Recent grant amounts have ranged from $3,000 to $1,300,000, with a median grant of $50,000. Major grants include:

Higher Education Scholarships:

  • $1,100,000 to UGA School of Medicine (2024) - M. Douglas Ivester Scholar fund for Hall County students
  • $600,000 to UGA Terry College (2023) - Deer Run Global Fellows study abroad program for Hall County students
  • $524,000 to University of Georgia Foundation for scholarships and study abroad programs
  • $100,000 to Brenau University (2024) - David L. Barnett Scholarship for first-generation students
  • $40,000 to Brenau University Anne A. Skleder First Generation Endowed Scholarship Fund

K-12 Education:

  • $2,200,000 to Hall County School District for Howard E. Ivester Early College expansion
  • $1,000,000 to Hall County Schools (2023) - laboratories at Lanier College and Career Academy
  • $1,000,000+ to establish 10 Georgia Commitment Scholarships through the Howard E. Ivester Scholarship Fund for need-based support for Hall County students at UGA
  • $10,000 annually to each district's Teacher of the Year since 2020
  • $500 to each school-level Teacher of the Year in Hall County School District
  • $300 awards for non-certified employees

Technical Education:

  • $1,025,000 to Lanier Technical College - $500,000 for dual enrollment programs (Auto Collision, Diesel Equipment, Nurse Aid, Welding) and $500,000 for Tim McDonald Scholarship Endowment, plus $25,000 for initial scholarships in 2026

Healthcare Education:

  • $3,500,000 to Brenau University (2017) for health science programs, resulting in the Ivester College of Health Sciences and the Lynn J. Darby School of Psychology and Adolescent Counseling

Arts and Culture:

  • 10-year partnership with Gainesville Theatre Alliance (announced 2024) - sponsoring one mainstage show each season
  • $250,000 to Brenau University Athletic Department

Priority Areas

  • Education: K-12 programs, scholarships, study abroad opportunities, early college initiatives, teacher recognition
  • Healthcare Education: Nursing programs, health sciences, medical education
  • First-Generation Students: Strong preference for supporting students who are first in their families to attend college (reflecting Doug Ivester's background)
  • Hall County Focus: All funding must either be in Hall County or benefit Hall County students/residents
  • Technical and Vocational Training: Career and technical education programs
  • Arts and Culture: Theatre, performing arts, athletics parks

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not fund:

  • Programs outside Hall County that do not benefit Hall County residents
  • General operating support for organizations without a clear Hall County connection
  • National or international causes without Hall County ties

Governance and Leadership

M. Douglas Ivester (Founder, Director) Doug Ivester became the first in his family to earn a college degree when he graduated from UGA in 1969 with a degree in accounting. He was elected Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company in 1997, retiring in 2000. His personal experience as a first-generation college student deeply informs the foundation's priorities. On the foundation's strategy, Ivester stated: "You have to decide how do you have an impact. We concluded we would have the biggest impact by having a geographic focus on Hall County."

Victoria Kay Ivester (Founder) Kay Ivester works alongside her husband in directing the foundation's philanthropic efforts. Together, the Ivesters believe deeply in healthcare and education as drivers of community transformation.

Lynn J. Darby (President) Lynn Darby serves as president of the foundation (compensation: $135,500 in 2024). A lifelong friend of Doug and Kay Ivester—dating back over 50 years to their days working together at Ernst and Ernst—Darby leads the foundation's day-to-day operations. According to Darby: "The Ivester Foundation is always looking for opportunities to support the people of Gainesville and Hall County, particularly when education is involved." In recognition of his service, Brenau University named the Lynn J. Darby School of Psychology and Adolescent Counseling through an Ivester Foundation gift.

Swinton A. Griffith III (Director, CFO, Treasurer, Secretary) Griffith manages the financial operations of the foundation (compensation: $134,500 in 2024).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Melvin Douglas and Victoria Kay Ivester Foundation does not have a public application process and does not accept unsolicited applications.

Grants are awarded based on trustee discretion. The foundation's leadership—particularly Doug and Kay Ivester and President Lynn Darby—proactively identifies organizations, programs, and initiatives that align with the foundation's mission to support Hall County. Organizations do not apply to the foundation; rather, the foundation approaches organizations with funding opportunities when trustees identify projects that match their strategic priorities.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable—the foundation operates on a trustee-initiated model rather than an application-and-review cycle. Funding decisions are made by the board as opportunities are identified throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable—there is no public application process. The foundation awards approximately 11 grants annually based on trustee identification.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable—organizations do not submit applications. However, the foundation maintains ongoing relationships with favored institutions (such as UGA, Brenau University, Hall County School District, and Lanier Technical College), making multiple grants over time to organizations that demonstrate strong alignment with Hall County priorities.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates on a trustee-discretion model rather than accepting applications, traditional "application success factors" do not apply. However, analyzing the foundation's giving patterns reveals clear priorities:

Key Success Factors for Organizations Hoping to Be Noticed:

  1. Hall County Connection is Non-Negotiable: As Doug Ivester stated: "It doesn't necessarily mean the money has to be in just Hall County, but it has to be Hall County students." Organizations serving Hall County residents or Hall County students attending institutions elsewhere (like UGA) receive funding.

  2. First-Generation Student Focus: The foundation shows strong preference for programs supporting first-generation college students, reflecting Doug Ivester's personal experience as the first in his family to graduate from college.

  3. Education and Healthcare Priorities: According to Lynn Darby, the foundation is "particularly [interested] when education is involved." Healthcare education also receives significant support.

  4. Long-Term Institutional Relationships: The foundation makes repeated grants to trusted institutions (Brenau University, UGA, Hall County Schools, Lanier Technical College) where they can see sustained impact.

  5. Named Programs and Legacy Building: Many grants result in named programs (Howard E. Ivester Early College, M. Douglas Ivester Scholar, Ivester College of Health Sciences, Lynn J. Darby School of Psychology), suggesting the foundation values recognition and legacy.

  6. Transformational Rather Than Incremental: Grant sizes indicate preference for projects that create lasting infrastructure or endowed programs rather than annual operating support.

  7. Teacher Recognition: Unique focus on recognizing educational excellence through Teacher of the Year awards across the district.

Recent Funding Examples:

  • UGA School of Medicine scholarship specifically for Hall County medical students (largest scholarship fund donated to the School of Medicine)
  • Early college programs allowing high school students to earn college credits
  • First-generation student scholarships at multiple institutions
  • Technical education programs in high-demand fields (auto collision, diesel equipment, nursing, welding)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Do not submit unsolicited proposals—this foundation does not accept them and operates entirely on trustee-initiated grants
  • Focus on Hall County: Any potential relationship must demonstrate clear benefit to Hall County residents or students
  • Build institutional relationships: Organizations that have received Ivester funding maintain ongoing relationships and receive multiple grants over time
  • First-generation students are a priority: Programs supporting students who are first in their families to attend college strongly align with Doug Ivester's personal experience and values
  • Education is paramount: As Lynn Darby stated, the foundation is "always looking for opportunities to support the people of Gainesville and Hall County, particularly when education is involved"
  • Think transformational: Grant sizes suggest preference for major, lasting impact projects rather than small annual support
  • Consider naming opportunities: Many grants result in named programs, facilities, or scholarships, suggesting the foundation values recognition

References

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