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J. Bulow Campbell Foundation

Annual Giving
$34.1M
Grant Range
$49K - $4.0M
Decision Time
3mo

J. Bulow Campbell Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $34.1 million (2023)
  • Grant Range: $49,000 - $4,000,000
  • Median Grant: $500,000
  • Total Assets: $716 million
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Atlanta and Georgia (limited support in AL, FL, NC, SC, TN)
  • Grants Awarded: 58 grants (2024)

Contact Details

J. Bulow Campbell Foundation
Suite 950
4401 Northside Parkway, N.W.
Atlanta, GA 30327

Phone: 404-658-9066
Email: info@jbcf.org
Website: https://jbcf.org/

Executive Director: Betsy Verner

Pre-Application Support: Staff encourages applicants to communicate before submitting by calling or emailing to discuss eligibility and appropriate request amounts.

Overview

Established in 1940 through the estate of Atlanta businessman J. Bulow Campbell, the J. Bulow Campbell Foundation is Georgia's second-largest foundation, with assets of approximately $716 million. Since its inception with $7 million, the foundation has awarded over $900 million in grants. The foundation operates under the guidance of Mr. Campbell's Christian values and his philosophy of modest, anonymous giving. Governed by seven volunteer trustees who meet quarterly, the foundation prioritizes capital grants for well-established nonprofits in education, youth development, human services, public spaces, and cultural institutions. The foundation has distributed approximately $34.1 million annually through 58 grants, with a median grant of $500,000, reflecting its commitment to supporting large-scale capital campaigns rather than operational expenses.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate distinct grant programs but awards capital grants quarterly through a single application process. Recent grants (2022-2023) have included:

  • Shepherd Center Foundation: $4.0 million
  • YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta: $3.0 million
  • Atlanta Police Foundation: $2.0 million
  • Young Life: Amount not specified

Grant Range: $49,000 - $4,000,000
Median Grant: $500,000
Application Method: Rolling basis with quarterly deadlines (January 1, April 1, July 1, October 1)

Priority Areas

Organizations and Projects Funded:

  • Privately-supported and accredited educational institutions (high priority)
  • Youth development programs
  • Human services and community welfare
  • Public spaces and parks
  • Cultural institutions and the arts (limited extent)
  • Christian-based institutions (receive additional consideration)
  • Georgia Research Alliance members (for public university support)

Funding Type: Capital campaigns and projects—the foundation "traditionally awards grants within the context of large-scale, comprehensive capital campaigns" rather than operational or program support.

Preferences:

  • Well-established nonprofits with demonstrated track records
  • Organizations that have already raised 50-60% of their fundraising goal
  • Projects planned within 12-18 months
  • Proportional funding (foundation prefers not to underwrite a large percentage of any single project)

What They Don't Fund

Organization Types:

  • Individuals
  • Individual church congregations
  • Start-ups or seed-stage organizations
  • Organizations outside the six-state region (GA, AL, FL, NC, SC, TN)

Funding Purposes:

  • Annual operating support
  • Program support
  • Individual financial aid or scholarships
  • Festivals, special events, or conferences
  • Films or documentaries
  • Initial capitalization or seed funding

Governance and Leadership

Governance Structure: Seven volunteer trustees who serve without compensation and meet quarterly in January, April, July, and October to review and approve grants.

Staff Leadership:

  • Betsy Verner, Executive Director
  • Beth Jarrard, Grants Administrator
  • Anna Whitehead, Program Officer

Foundation Philosophy: The foundation operates according to the founder's instructions and seeks to reflect J. Bulow Campbell's philosophy of giving, his legacy of careful stewardship, his humility, and his Christian faith. As the foundation's website states, the organization is "guided by Mr. Campbell's instructions and seeks to reflect his philosophy of giving, his legacy of careful stewardship, and his Christian faith."

About the Founder: J. Bulow Campbell (1870-1940) was an Atlanta businessman who served as president and later board chair of Campbell Coal Company. He accumulated considerable wealth through wise long-term investments and careful business management, serving as a director of Coca-Cola Company, Trust Company of Georgia, and First National Bank of Atlanta. Campbell was known for his anonymous philanthropy, which flowed from his conviction that "humility, charity, and service were the necessary elements of an authentic Christian life." He was described as "modest and frugal and did not seek recognition for his good works."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Pre-Application Contact (Encouraged)
Contact foundation staff at 404-658-9066 or info@jbcf.org before submitting to discuss eligibility and determine appropriate request amounts.

Step 2: Submit One-Page Letter of Request

Submit a single-page letter (strict limit) that includes:

  • Full legal name of the organization
  • Organization description (mission, founding date, purpose, programs, service statistics)
  • How grant funds would be used
  • Total project/campaign goal and funds raised to date
  • Specific dollar amount requested
  • Project timeline (start and completion dates)

Required Attachments:

  • Copy of IRS letter confirming tax-exempt status and "not a private Foundation" classification
  • Two signatures: board chair and chief administrative officer

Submission Address:
Betsy Verner, Executive Director
J. Bulow Campbell Foundation
Suite 950
4401 Northside Parkway, N.W.
Atlanta, GA 30327

Deadlines: January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1. Applicants are encouraged to submit well in advance of deadlines to allow staff time to offer feedback.

Important Restrictions:

  • Do not contact board members directly about proposals
  • Personal appearances before the board are prohibited
  • Complete the entire application process with foundation staff assistance

Decision Timeline

Preliminary Review: Letters of request receive preliminary consideration at the board meeting in the month they are submitted (January, April, July, or October).

Notification: Applicants are notified in writing within the submission quarter either that:

  1. The Foundation declined further consideration, or
  2. Staff will conduct a more detailed study

Detailed Review: If approved for further study, staff conducts an onsite visit to the organization before presenting to the board for final consideration at the next quarterly board meeting.

Overall Timeline: From submission to final decision typically spans 3-6 months, depending on which quarter the application is submitted and whether it advances to detailed review.

Success Rates

The foundation awarded 58 grants in 2024 and 2023, 53 grants in 2022, 47 grants in 2021, and 46 grants in 2020. However, the foundation does not publish data on total applications received or specific acceptance/decline rates.

Reapplication Policy

Declined Applications: Applicants are required to wait at least one year from the date of any previously declined application before submitting a new request.

Current Grantees: Organizations that receive grants are asked not to apply for new grants until current grants are "closed" (completed).

Application Success Factors

Timing is Critical: According to the foundation's FAQ, "Applications are most successful when the organization has reliable cost estimates in hand, the organization has already raised 50-60% of the overall funding goal, and can comfortably project starting a capital project or campaign within 12-18 months of requesting a grant."

Proportional Participation: The foundation states it prefers "not to underwrite a large percentage of any individual project or campaign but rather participate with proportional grants." Avoid requesting a grant that would constitute most of your campaign goal.

Capital Focus: The foundation "traditionally awards grants within the context of large-scale, comprehensive capital campaigns" rather than operational or program needs. Ensure your request is clearly for capital purposes.

Established Organizations Preferred: "Established organizations with experienced leadership and proven financial stability receive preference over newly formed entities." Demonstrate your track record and organizational stability.

Christian Values Consideration: "Christian-based institutions receive additional consideration," though the foundation supports secular organizations as well. If your organization has Christian roots or serves Christian values, this should be highlighted.

Staff Engagement: The foundation explicitly encourages applicants to communicate with staff before submitting. The FAQ states: "It is best to complete the entire application process with the assistance of the Foundation's staff." Use the pre-application contact opportunity to discuss your project and get guidance on request amounts.

One-Page Discipline: The strict one-page letter requirement tests your ability to communicate concisely. Every word counts—focus on impact, demonstrated need, and how your capital project aligns with the foundation's priorities.

Georgia Focus: While organizations in five adjacent states are technically eligible, "the majority of the Foundation's grants are awarded to agencies and organizations located in Georgia supporting Georgia residents." Out-of-state organizations face steeper competition.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Capital campaigns only: This foundation exclusively funds capital projects within comprehensive fundraising campaigns—never operating expenses or programs. Don't apply for anything other than buildings, equipment, or capital needs.

  • Apply when you're halfway there: The sweet spot is 50-60% of your goal already raised, with reliable cost estimates and a 12-18-month timeline. Applying too early or too late reduces your chances.

  • Proportional funding strategy: The foundation doesn't want to be your primary funder. Request an amount that represents meaningful but proportional support (likely 10-30% of your total campaign goal).

  • Staff are your allies: Pre-application contact isn't optional—it's strategic. Call or email before submitting to discuss your eligibility and appropriate request amount. The foundation explicitly encourages this.

  • Christian values matter: While the foundation supports secular organizations, Christian-based institutions receive "additional consideration." If applicable, emphasize your organization's Christian mission or values.

  • One page means one page: Your letter of request has a strict one-page limit. Practice extreme concision and focus on impact, organizational credibility, and capital project details.

  • Atlanta and Georgia organizations have the advantage: The vast majority of grants go to Georgia-based organizations. If you're outside Georgia but within the six-state region, you face significantly higher competition and should have a compelling case for why this foundation specifically should support you.

References

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