Foundation For A Better World Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $3,169,062 (2023)
Number of Grants: 28 awards (2023)
Grant Range: Varies by program area
Geographic Focus: National and international (with emphasis on Guatemala, East Africa)
Foundation Type: Private independent foundation
Application Process: No public application process - preselected organizations only

Contact Details

Address: 1282 Timberland Dr SE, Marietta, GA 30067-5123

Website: https://www.forabetterworldfoundation.org

EIN: 46-2385457

Tax Status: 501(c)(3) private foundation (tax-exempt since July 2013)

Overview

Founded in 2013 by Thomas Claugus and family, the Foundation For A Better World is a private independent foundation dedicated to supporting neurodegenerative disease research, quality education, community and economic development, and health and nutrition programs. With approximately $3.2 million in annual giving as of 2023, the foundation operates with a clear focus on achieving measurable results through charitable donations. The foundation has established particularly strong partnerships in medical research, most notably with the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, and maintains a geographic focus that includes underserved communities in Guatemala and East Africa, reflecting the background of former president Beatriz Illescas, who served as Consul General of Guatemala in Atlanta before joining the foundation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through a family foundation model with board-directed grantmaking rather than formal grant programs. All grants are made to preselected charitable organizations identified by the board.

Medical Research - The vast majority of grantmaking efforts are focused on medical research, particularly:

Neurodegenerative disease research (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, MS)
Clinical trials and advanced medical technologies
Stem cell research

Education - Support for education at all levels with specific emphasis on:

Empowering underprivileged children globally
School construction and educational access
Programs serving underserved populations

Global Development - Direct investment in communities and households:

Economic development initiatives
Family planning services
Disaster relief
Community health programs

Health & Nutrition - Programs strengthening health systems for children and vulnerable populations

Priority Areas

Medical Research Focus:

Advanced research seeking to treat and cure neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Multiple Sclerosis
Support for clinical trials, particularly phase 2 trials targeting oxidative stress and senolytics
Partnerships with research institutions advancing medical technologies

Education Focus:

Education programs in Guatemala supporting schoolchildren breaking cycles of poverty
Education and development initiatives in East Africa
Support for KIPP Metro Atlanta
Barnesville Area Education Foundation

Geographic Priorities:

Guatemala (reflecting the foundation's leadership background)
East Africa
Metropolitan Atlanta
National medical research institutions

Known Grant Recipients

Based on publicly available information, the foundation has supported:

Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (major recipient - awarded inaugural $250,000 Claugus Award in 2021)
National MS Society
International Progressive MS Alliance
Harvard Stem Cell Institute
Ohio State University
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Barnesville Hospital
KIPP Metro Atlanta
COED (Cooperative for Education - Guatemala)
Growth Through Learning (East Africa)
Barnesville Area Education Foundation
Wikimedia Foundation
Bipartisan Policy Center
Heritage Foundation
FOTZC Focus on Tanzanian Communities
Alterna (Central American social innovation and entrepreneurship)

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly documented, the foundation's structure indicates:

No support for organizations outside their preselected pool
No general operating support requests from unsolicited applicants
Focus is on measurable results, suggesting less likelihood of funding advocacy-only or awareness campaigns without concrete outcomes

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

The foundation operates as a family foundation with the following board members:

Adam Hoffman (President)
Thomas Claugus (Founder)
Michael Claugus
Melissa Claugus
Gregory Claugus
Thomas Claugus II

Leadership Team

Adam Hoffman - President (since 2023)

Previously served as Program Assistant and Program Director starting in 2018
Joined the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation's Board of Governors in 2024, strengthening the partnership between the two organizations

Thomas Claugus - Founder

BS in Chemical Engineering from Ohio State University
MBA from Harvard Business School (Baker Scholar)
17 years at Rohm and Haas before establishing his own hedge fund, which has consistently been one of the best performers in the industry
Established the foundation in 2013

Beatriz Illescas - Former President (2013-2023)

Born in Guatemala
Previously served as Consul General of Guatemala in Atlanta
Brought expertise in higher education and immigrant population needs
Joined Tom Claugus in 2012 to develop the foundation's philanthropic approach

Program Staff

Kevin Chrisco - Grants Manager
Isa Cadena - Program Officer

Foundation Philosophy

According to the foundation's materials, their approach to community development emphasizes "trusting local decision-making capacity to strengthen long-term economic security" rather than prescriptive top-down solutions. The foundation prioritizes organizations and initiatives demonstrating concrete, measurable results.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation For A Better World does not have a public application process. The foundation has explicitly indicated it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

All grantmaking decisions are made at the board level through trustee discretion. Organizations are identified and selected by the foundation's board of directors, which consists primarily of the Claugus family members.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's documented grantmaking patterns, organizations that have received support share these characteristics:

Alignment with Leadership Connections:

Organizations connected to Ohio State University (Tom Claugus's alma mater) have received support
Guatemala-focused organizations align with Beatriz Illescas's background as former Consul General of Guatemala
Organizations in the Barnesville, Georgia area (appears to be a family connection)
Partnerships that complement the foundation's work with the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation

Board Member Involvement:

Adam Hoffman now serves on the ADDF Board of Governors as of 2024, suggesting that organizations where foundation leadership becomes actively involved may receive continued or increased support
Beatriz Illescas's previous role representing Guatemala indicates that Central American development organizations may align with the foundation's interests

Specific Strategic Partnerships:

The foundation has established a deep partnership with the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, collaborating on "multiple innovative programs and clinical trials since its inception in 2022"
This suggests the foundation may identify strategic anchor partners in their focus areas rather than making many small grants across diverse organizations

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made through board discretion to preselected organizations rather than through an application cycle.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - there is no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, analyzing their grantmaking patterns reveals what the foundation values:

Focus on Measurable Results: The foundation explicitly states its commitment to "achieving measurable results through charitable donations." Organizations they support demonstrate concrete outcomes, particularly in medical research (clinical trials, research publications) and education (school construction, student outcomes).

Strategic, Deep Partnerships: Rather than spreading funding widely, the foundation appears to establish deep relationships with key organizations. The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation partnership illustrates this approach - from receiving grants to being honored with the inaugural $250,000 Claugus Award in 2021, to foundation leadership joining ADDF's board in 2024. The foundation describes collaborating on "numerous promising phase 2 clinical trials" with ADDF.

Geographic and Personal Connections:

Guatemala receives significant attention (former president's birthplace and diplomatic focus)
Ohio institutions (founder's university)
Barnesville, Georgia area (apparent family connection)
East Africa (through Growth Through Learning partnership)

Focus on Scientific Rigor: Medical research grants go to established institutions (Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Ohio State University) and respected disease-focused organizations (National MS Society, International Progressive MS Alliance). The foundation values "world-class research" and advanced medical technologies.

Community-Led Development: The foundation's philosophy emphasizes "trusting local decision-making capacity to strengthen long-term economic security" rather than imposing external solutions, suggesting they value organizations that empower communities rather than creating dependency.

Alignment with Foundation Leadership Expertise: With Tom Claugus's background in chemical engineering and investment, and Beatriz Illescas's expertise in international relations and immigrant communities, organizations working at the intersection of science, global development, and underserved populations align well with leadership interests.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications - all grants are made to preselected organizations identified by the board of directors
The foundation makes approximately 28 grants annually totaling around $3.2 million, suggesting selective grantmaking to established partners
Medical research dominates the portfolio - "the vast majority of grantmaking efforts are focused on medical research," particularly neurodegenerative diseases
The foundation values measurable outcomes and has established deep strategic partnerships rather than making many small grants
Geographic focus includes Guatemala, East Africa, metropolitan Atlanta, and national research institutions
Personal connections to foundation leadership (Ohio State University, Guatemala, Barnesville GA area) appear relevant to grantmaking patterns
The foundation's partnership model with ADDF - including the $250,000 Claugus Award and ongoing clinical trial collaborations - demonstrates their approach to strategic, long-term relationships
Organizations that can demonstrate concrete, measurable results aligned with the foundation's mission areas have received support
The 2024 addition of foundation president Adam Hoffman to ADDF's Board of Governors illustrates how the foundation deepens relationships with key partners over time

References

Charity Navigator Profile - Foundation for A Better World Inc. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/462385457 (Accessed December 2024)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Foundation For A Better World Inc. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/462385457 (Accessed December 2024)
The Foundation For A Better World - Official Website. https://www.forabetterworldfoundation.org (Accessed December 2024)
The Foundation For A Better World - Our Team. https://www.forabetterworldfoundation.org/team (Accessed December 2024)
The Foundation For A Better World - Our Mission. https://www.forabetterworldfoundation.org/mission (Accessed December 2024)
Inside Philanthropy - Thomas Claugus and Beatriz Illescas. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/major-donors/thomas-claugus-and-beatriz-illescas (Accessed December 2024)
Ohio State University College of Engineering - "A better world through philanthropy and medical research" (March 2019). https://engineering.osu.edu/news/2019/03/better-world-through-philanthropy-and-medical-research (Accessed December 2024)
PR Newswire - "Foundation For a Better World Honors Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation with Inaugural Claugus Award" (May 2021). https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/foundation-for-a-better-world-honors-alzheimers-drug-discovery-foundation-with-inaugural-claugus-award-301291047.html (Accessed December 2024)
Foundation For A Better World News - "FFBW Founders Honored by the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation." https://www.forabetterworldfoundation.org/news/mqepsjs2ddczvmx24qtqxa2d3wfyso (Accessed December 2024)
Foundation For A Better World News - "Adam Hoffman Joins ADDF Board of Governors." https://www.forabetterworldfoundation.org/news/pabpuvfz9fg89nj3x7fk6gc0uo7pit (Accessed December 2024)
Cause IQ - Foundation for A Better World. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/foundation-for-a-better-world,462385457/ (Accessed December 2024)
Instrumentl - Foundation For A Better World Inc | 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/foundation-for-a-better-world-inc (Accessed December 2024)
Candid Foundation Directory - The Foundation for A Better World. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=FOU1057 (Accessed December 2024)
Grantmakers.io Profile - Foundation For A Better World Inc. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/462385457-foundation-for-a-better-world-inc/ (Accessed December 2024)