Walter And Frances Bunzl Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

EIN: 58-1458440
Total Assets: $26.5 million (2024)
Annual Giving: Varies significantly ($1.8M in 2020, $4M+ in 2021, $0 in 2024)
Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
Application Process: No public application process - trustee discretion/invitation only
Geographic Focus: Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding region
Foundation Type: Private family foundation

Contact Details

Address: 750 Park Avenue, 34 North, Atlanta, GA 30326

Registered Agent: Hallman & Wingate LLC, 166 Anderson Street, Suite 210, Marietta, GA 30060

Note: This foundation does not maintain a public website or published contact information for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Walter And Frances Bunzl Foundation Inc was established on December 28, 1981, as a private family foundation to honor the philanthropic legacy of Frances and Walter Bunzl. Frances was a Holocaust survivor who escaped Nazi Germany in 1939 at age 19 and settled in Atlanta, where the Jewish community helped her integrate. She and Walter became influential philanthropists in Atlanta for decades, giving generously until Frances's passing in 2019 at age 99.

The foundation currently holds $26.5 million in assets (2024) and has historically made substantial grants to Jewish and general community organizations in the Atlanta area. The foundation made 14 grants totaling $1,805,000 in 2020 and 3 grants totaling $4,050,000 in 2021. Recent tax filings show $0 in grants for 2024, which may indicate a transition period as the family's philanthropic activities shifted to the Frances Bunzl Family Trust, which made a historic $5.6 million gift to Atlanta's Jewish community.

Current leadership consists of family members and advisors including Suzanne B. Wilner (President and Frances's daughter), Anna R. Wilner (Treasurer and Frances's granddaughter), Faye Markey (Director), and Rosemary R. Hamburger (Director).

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Based on documented giving history, the Bunzl family foundation has supported:

Jewish Community Organizations

Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta
Jewish Family & Career Services of Atlanta (JF&CS)
Temple Sinai
Impact Israel

Arts & Culture

High Museum of Art
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Community Development

Organizations serving the greater Atlanta area
Programs supporting Holocaust survivors and their descendants
NextGen initiatives for young Jewish community leaders

Giving Pattern

The foundation operates as a traditional private family foundation, making grants at the discretion of its trustees. Grant amounts and frequency vary significantly by year, with recent activity showing:

2020: 14 grants totaling $1,805,000
2021: 3 grants totaling $4,050,000
2024: $0 (possibly transitioning to Frances Bunzl Family Trust)

Governance and Leadership

Current Officers (2024):

Suzanne B. Wilner - President (daughter of Frances and Walter Bunzl)
Anna R. Wilner - Treasurer (granddaughter of Frances and Walter Bunzl)
Faye Markey - Director
Rosemary R. Hamburger - Director

All officers serve without compensation. The foundation is managed by family members who carry forward Frances and Walter Bunzl's philanthropic values.

Quote from Suzanne Wilner about her mother Frances: "Throughout her life, my mother spoke of growing up in a family... focused on helping others."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Walter And Frances Bunzl Foundation operates as a private family foundation that makes grants through trustee discretion. They do not accept unsolicited applications or maintain a public website with grant guidelines.

Grants are awarded based on the trustees' knowledge of organizations and their alignment with the family's philanthropic values, particularly support for Atlanta's Jewish community and cultural institutions.

Related Philanthropic Activity

The Frances Bunzl Family Trust (a separate entity from the foundation) distributed approximately $5.6 million in equal shares to Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and Jewish Family & Career Services of Atlanta, creating:

The Frances Bunzl Chief Philanthropy Officer position (first endowed fundraising position at Federation)
The Frances and Walter Bunzl Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment (PACE)
The Frances Bunzl NextGen initiative
The Frances Bunzl Clinical Services at JF&CS

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, organizations interested in their support should focus on:

Alignment with Family Values

The Bunzl family has demonstrated commitment to:

Holocaust remembrance and survivor support: Frances's own experience as a Holocaust survivor deeply influenced the family's giving
Jewish community building: Long-term support for Federation, JF&CS, and other Jewish organizations
Cultural enrichment: Support for museums and performing arts in Atlanta
Next-generation leadership: Investment in programs that develop future community leaders

Relationship-Based Philanthropy

The foundation's giving appears to be based on:

Long-standing relationships: Organizations the family has supported over decades
Deep community involvement: Recipients are institutions where family members have been active participants
Trustee knowledge: Grants flow to organizations known personally to the trustees

Geographic Focus

All identified grants have gone to Atlanta-area organizations, particularly those serving the Jewish community.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No public application process exists - This foundation awards grants through trustee discretion based on family relationships and values
Strong focus on Atlanta's Jewish community - Primary beneficiaries include Jewish Federation, JF&CS, Temple Sinai, and Impact Israel
Multi-generational giving - The family's philanthropic legacy spans decades and continues through descendants
Arts and culture also supported - Beyond Jewish causes, the family has supported High Museum and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Recent transition period - The foundation reported $0 in grants for 2024, possibly indicating a shift toward the Frances Bunzl Family Trust structure
Holocaust survivor legacy - Frances's experience escaping Nazi Germany and being welcomed by Atlanta's Jewish community fundamentally shaped the family's philanthropy
Organizations should focus on building authentic relationships with Jewish community leaders and cultural institutions in Atlanta rather than seeking direct foundation contact

References

ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Walter And Frances Bunzl Foundation Inc (EIN: 58-1458440). Financial data and Form 990-PF filings. Accessed January 15, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/581458440
Cause IQ - Walter and Frances Bunzl Foundation. Foundation profile and grant data. Accessed January 15, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/walter-and-frances-bunzl-foundation,581458440/
Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. "Frances Bunzl Family Trust Gifts $5.6MM to Atlanta Jewish Community." Accessed January 15, 2026. https://jewishatlanta.org/frances-bunzl-family-trust-gifts-5-6mm-to-atlanta-jewish-community/
Jewish Family & Career Services of Atlanta. "A Lasting Legacy: Frances Bunzl Family Trust Gifts $5.6M to Atlanta Jewish Community." Accessed January 15, 2026. https://jfcsatl.org/news/a-lasting-legacy-frances-bunzl-family-trust-gifts-5-6mm-to-atlanta-jewish-community
Saporta, Maria. "Frances Bunzl Family Trust makes historic gift to Atlanta's Jewish community." SaportaReport. Accessed January 15, 2026. https://saportareport.com/frances-bunzl-family-trust-makes-historic-gift-to-atlantas-jewish-community/sections/reports/maria_saporta/
Atlanta Jewish Times. "Holocaust Survivor Leaves $5.6 Million to Jewish Atlanta." Accessed January 15, 2026. https://www.atlantajewishtimes.com/holocaust-survivor-leaves-5-6-million-to-jewish-atlanta/
Candid Foundation Directory - Walter and Frances Bunzl Foundation Inc. Foundation profile. Accessed January 15, 2026. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?collection=grantmakers&key=BUNZ001
GuideStar Profile - Walter and Frances Bunzl Foundation Inc. Accessed January 15, 2026. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/58-1458440