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Robert W. Woodruff Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$189.6M
Grant Range
$100K - $80.0M
Decision Time
3mo
Success Rate
20%

Robert W. Woodruff Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $189.6 million (2023)
  • Total Assets: $4.2 billion (2024)
  • Success Rate: 20% (one in five requests approved)
  • Decision Time: 2-3 months (April or November board meetings)
  • Grant Range: $100,000 - $80,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Georgia (primarily metro Atlanta)

Contact Details

Address: 191 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 3540, Atlanta, GA 30303

Phone: (404) 522-6755

Email:

Website: https://www.woodruff.org

Pre-Application Support: The Foundation encourages submitting an informal inquiry to fdns@woodruff.org before applying to determine if your request is a fit for funding.

Overview

The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation was incorporated in 1937 as the Trebor Foundation and renamed following the death of Robert W. Woodruff, who led The Coca-Cola Company from 1923 to 1985. With $4.2 billion in assets, it is the largest private foundation in Georgia. Since its founding, the Foundation has awarded more than 2,300 grants totaling $4.2 billion. The Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life in Georgia by investing in health, education, economic opportunity, and community vitality. Grantmaking is limited to organizations located and operating in Georgia, with most grants awarded to organizations in metro Atlanta. In 2025, Erik S. Johnson became the Foundation's fourth president after serving the organization for 18 years in various roles.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation accepts grant requests throughout the year via its online portal, with two annual board review cycles. Grants range from $100,000 to $80 million, with the Foundation distributing approximately $190 million annually.

Application Cycles:

  • February 1 deadline: Reviewed at April board meeting
  • August 15 deadline: Reviewed at November board meeting

Priority Areas

The Foundation focuses on four primary program areas:

Public Health (Largest area of giving)

  • Medical education, research, and policy development
  • Improvements to health access and outcomes
  • Focus on low-income and underserved populations

Education

  • Support for Georgia's private colleges and public research institutions
  • Systemic improvements to K-12 public education
  • Select independent schools in metro Atlanta

Environment

  • Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center
  • Atlanta parks and green spaces
  • Land conservation projects in partnership with the State of Georgia

Human Services

  • State-level initiatives improving quality of life for Georgia's children and families
  • Well-established, Atlanta-based child welfare and youth development organizations
  • Adult and family services

Community Development

  • Community-led projects focused on improving metro Atlanta
  • Organizations strengthening the nonprofit sector in Georgia

Arts & Culture

  • Museums, performing arts, and cultural institutions

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation explicitly excludes:

  • Grants to individuals
  • Churches and sectarian religious purposes
  • Conferences
  • Debt relief or deficit reduction
  • Fundraising events or sponsorships
  • Professional associations
  • Startups or seed funding for new organizations
  • Annual operating support or ongoing program costs
  • Human services organizations outside the 13-county metro Atlanta area

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

E. Jenner Wood III (Chairman)

  • Joined board in 2010; became chairman in 2018
  • Former SunTrust executive (1975-2017)
  • Board member of Genuine Parts Company, Southern Company, and Oxford Industries
  • Holds degrees from UNC Chapel Hill and Georgia State University

Lawrence L. Gellerstedt III (Vice Chairman)

  • Partner at Sweetwater Holdings
  • Former CEO of Cousins Properties
  • Currently chairs Grady Health System
  • Graduate of UNC Chapel Hill

Joseph A. Arnold

  • Joined board in 2023
  • Career at SunTrust/Truist leading corporate and nonprofit financial services
  • Chairs Atlanta Mission
  • University of Virginia graduate

P. Russell Hardin

  • Newly appointed trustee in 2025
  • Previously served as President for 19 years (2006-2025)
  • Former King & Spalding attorney
  • Holds degrees from University of Virginia and Duke Law School

David P. Stockert

  • Joined board in 2018
  • Partner at Sweetwater Holdings
  • Former CEO of Post Properties (2002-2016)
  • Holds degrees from University of Colorado and Columbia University

Key Staff

Erik S. Johnson (President)

  • Joined Foundation in 2006; became President in 2025
  • Previously served as Treasurer (2014), Vice President (2021)
  • Former law clerk to Chief Judge J.L. Edmondson, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • Emory University and University of Georgia Law School graduate (J.D. with high honors)

Lizzy Smith (Grants Program Director)

  • Joined in 2005; promoted to director in 2011
  • Oversees education, youth development, arts, and parks grantmaking

Jenny Zhang Morgan (Grants Officer)

  • Joined in 2013
  • Supports early childhood and K-12 education grantmaking
  • Contact for applicant inquiries

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility Requirements: Organizations must meet ALL criteria:

  • 501(c)(3) public charity
  • Located and operating in Georgia
  • Annual operating budget above $500,000
  • Full-time paid staff
  • Alignment with Foundation program areas (Health, Education, Environment, Human Services, Arts & Culture, or Community Development)
  • Strong executive and board leadership with proven effectiveness
  • Sustainable operations with measurable community impact
  • Broad donor base (local donors preferred)

Pre-Application Step: The Foundation strongly encourages submitting an informal inquiry to fdns@woodruff.org to determine if your request is a fit for funding before submitting a full proposal.

Application Submission:

  1. Create an account in Blackbaud's YourCause online grant portal (new system as of January 2025)
  2. Enter your organization's tax ID number
  3. Complete the short eligibility quiz
  4. If eligible, proceed to the application form

Required Materials (uploaded as single PDF):

Grant Request Letter (maximum 5 pages, dated, on letterhead, signed by organization leadership, addressed to Erik S. Johnson, President):

  • Organization mission, history, programs, and impact metrics
  • Funding request with specific timeline
  • Goals and anticipated outcomes
  • Long-term sustainability plan

Supporting Documents:

  • Itemized project budget with staff counts
  • Operating budget (current fiscal year, budgeted and actual)
  • Fundraising status report listing all funding sources
  • Most recent audit OR financial statements (not both)
  • Board list with titles and affiliations
  • Current IRS determination letter
  • Architectural drawings (if seeking capital project support)

Important: Avoid extra materials like press kits or brochures.

Decision Timeline

Submission Deadlines:

  • February 1: Proposals received by the first business day on or after February 1 will be considered at the April meeting of the Board of Trustees
  • August 15: Proposals received by the first business day on or after August 15 will be considered at the November meeting of the Board of Trustees

Review Process:

  • If request does not meet eligibility requirements or falls outside program interests: Prompt email notification
  • If request is accepted for consideration: Notification by letter; Foundation staff will contact you for a meeting or site visit
  • Board decision: Within one week of trustee meeting

Typical Timeline: 2-3 months from submission to decision

Success Rates

The Foundation receives more than 350 grant requests in any given year and approves approximately one in five requests (20% success rate).

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation has a restrictive reapplication policy. For first-time grant seekers whose requests have been declined, the Foundation states: "unless otherwise encouraged, please do not submit the same request in a different grant cycle."

Unsuccessful applicants should only reapply if specifically encouraged to do so by the Foundation in their decline notification.

Application Success Factors

The Foundation provides specific guidance for applicants:

Demonstrate Significant Fundraising Progress The Foundation explicitly states: "We prefer not to be the only or lead funder." Applications must show "significant fundraising progress with other donors, including your board." The Foundation will not make a grant without confidence that you can meet your overall fundraising goal.

Focus on One-Time Needs Grant support typically covers "one-time needs rather than ongoing program or operating needs." The Foundation prioritizes capital projects, capacity building, and strategic initiatives over annual operating support.

Show Organizational Strength Priority is given to organizations demonstrating:

  • Strong leadership with invested boards
  • Consistent financial stability and diversified revenue streams
  • Support from multiple donors, particularly local supporters
  • Measurable community impact with clear metrics
  • Capacity to raise remaining funds and sustain work long-term

Align with Recent Funding Patterns Review the Foundation's Previous Grants page to understand current priorities. Recent major grants include:

  • $80 million to Georgia State University for downtown campus transformation
  • $20 million to Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center for facility updates
  • $12 million to Atlanta History Center for centennial campaign
  • $80 million+ to Atlanta BeltLine Partnership for trail completion and operations
  • $50 million+ to Grady Health System for facility improvements

Keep Letters Concise Grant request letters should be no more than 5 pages before attachments. Focus on clarity and impact rather than length.

Consider Related Foundations Organizations can submit to the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation and its related foundations (Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation and Lettie Pate Evans Foundation) simultaneously without separate requests. The same staff manages all three foundations.

Minimum Budget Requirement Organizations must have an annual operating budget above $500,000 with full-time staff. The Foundation is not positioned to support smaller or start-up organizations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Secure other funding first: The Foundation explicitly prefers not to be the only or lead funder. Show significant fundraising progress with other donors before applying.
  • Focus on one-time needs: Capital projects and strategic initiatives are prioritized over ongoing operational support.
  • Start with an informal inquiry: Email fdns@woodruff.org to determine fit before investing time in a full proposal.
  • Georgia focus is absolute: Grantmaking is limited to organizations operating in Georgia, with strong preference for metro Atlanta (13-county area for human services).
  • Competition is intense: With only a 20% success rate, applications must demonstrate exceptional organizational strength, measurable impact, and sustainable planning.
  • Timing matters: Two deadlines per year (February 1 and August 15) mean strategic timing is important for projects with specific timelines.
  • Build credibility through track record: The Foundation prioritizes organizations with proven effectiveness, strong leadership, broad donor support, and financial stability—startups need not apply.

References

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