← Back to US Funders Directory

Chantal And Tommy Bagwell Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$5.3M
Grant Range
$2K - $2.8M

Quick Stats

  • Assets: $103,328,558 (2024)
  • Annual Giving: $5,335,333 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $2,775,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Georgia, Texas, and Alabama
  • Application Method: No public application process (preselected organizations only)

Contact Details

The foundation does not maintain a public website or provide contact information for grant inquiries. They operate through preselected charitable organizations only.

Location: Cumming, Georgia

Overview

Established in January 1996 by Tommy and Chantal Bagwell, The Chantal And Tommy Bagwell Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation with over $103 million in assets. Founded following Tommy Bagwell's successful career as President and CEO of American Proteins Inc (which he sold to Tyson Foods for $850 million in 2018), the foundation distributes over $5 million annually to support education, healthcare, youth services, and philanthropic capacity-building organizations. Tommy and Chantal Bagwell were honored as Philanthropists of the Year by the North Georgia Community Foundation in 2014. The foundation continues a multi-generational commitment to Georgia education and community development that began with Tommy Bagwell's mother, Clarice Bagwell, an educator and former Kennesaw State University trustee.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking with no formal application programs. Grants range from $2,000 to $2,775,000, with recent activity showing approximately 30-34 grants awarded annually.

Priority Areas

Based on recent grantmaking activity and the Bagwells' philanthropic history:

  • Higher Education: Major support for Georgia universities, particularly Kennesaw State University (education building naming gift of $2 million plus $1 million endowed chair) and University of North Georgia ($1 million pledge over five years for county-based scholarships; $248,000 to general fund in 2023)
  • Healthcare: Significant healthcare philanthropy, including a $10 million donation to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
  • K-12 and Technical Education: Support for technical colleges and elementary schools, including $75,000 to Garden City Elementary School and establishment of the $500,000 Bagwell Family Scholarship Endowment for technical college students near family business locations
  • Youth Development: Grants to organizations like Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta
  • Philanthropic Infrastructure: Grants to Stand Together Trust ($2 million), The Rotary Foundation ($600,000), and local Rotary clubs ($58,000 to Rotary Club of Forsyth County Charities for student scholarships in 2023)
  • Poultry Industry Education: $1 million endowment to USPOULTRY Foundation for the Leland Bagwell Education and Innovation Fund

Geographic Focus

Primary focus on Georgia, particularly the metro Atlanta area and northeast Georgia (Forsyth County, Hall County, Cummings area). Secondary support to organizations in Texas and Alabama, likely reflecting American Proteins' business footprint.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly states it does not accept unsolicited applications and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO: Thomas N. Bagwell (serves without compensation)

  • Born 1945; estimated net worth $1 billion
  • Former President and Owner of American Proteins Inc (1972-2018)
  • Served as KSU Foundation trustee for 11 years and Kennesaw State University trustee for 16 years
  • Charter President of Forsyth Rotary Club
  • Board service includes Elachee Nature Center, Lanier Technical College, Brenau University, Gainesville State College, and The Carter Center Board of Councilors

CFO and Treasurer: Chantal Bagwell (serves without compensation)

  • Co-founder of the foundation
  • Former University trustee at Kennesaw State University
  • Active partner in major philanthropic decisions

Tommy Bagwell on Education and Philanthropy: "One of the greatest equalizers is if people can get a good education. It's the great leveler; the great enabler."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the President/CEO (Tommy Bagwell) and CFO/Treasurer (Chantal Bagwell), who serve as the foundation's leadership team.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's documented grantmaking patterns, the Bagwells support organizations through:

  • Long-term relationships: Major recipients like Kennesaw State University and University of North Georgia have multi-decade relationships with the Bagwell family
  • Board connections: Tommy Bagwell's extensive board service (KSU Foundation trustee, Forsyth Rotary Club charter president, and boards of Elachee Nature Center, Lanier Technical College, Brenau University, Gainesville State College, The Carter Center) provides direct connections to organizations
  • Geographic proximity: Strong focus on Forsyth County, Hall County, and metro Atlanta organizations where the Bagwells live and have business connections
  • Technical college networks: Through the Bagwell Family Scholarship Endowment, they support technical colleges near former American Proteins business locations

Organizations most likely to receive support are those in Georgia (particularly northeast Georgia) focused on education, healthcare for children, and youth development, with established track records and connections to the Bagwells' network of civic involvement.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As a private family foundation with two decision-makers, the foundation likely operates on an ongoing basis rather than fixed grant cycles.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only grantmaking model.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, analysis of funded organizations reveals:

  • Education as equalizer: Tommy Bagwell's stated philosophy emphasizes education as "the great leveler; the great enabler," reflected in consistent support for educational institutions at all levels from K-12 through higher education
  • Multi-year commitments: The foundation makes substantial multi-year pledges (e.g., $1 million over five years to UNG; $2 million naming gift plus $1 million endowed chair to KSU), suggesting preference for sustained impact over one-time grants
  • Place-based giving: Strong preference for northeast Georgia, particularly Forsyth County and Hall County
  • Building naming and legacy gifts: Willingness to make transformational gifts that result in naming opportunities (Bagwell Education Building at KSU; Bagwell College of Education)
  • Scholarship focus: Particular interest in scholarships that support students from specific counties (Bagwell Scholarships at UNG for Forsyth and Hall County students) and technical college students
  • Healthcare for children: Multiple major gifts to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta demonstrate sustained commitment to pediatric healthcare
  • Civic infrastructure: Support for organizations that build philanthropic capacity (Stand Together Trust, Rotary Foundation) alongside direct service organizations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications; funding comes through trustee-identified organizations only
  • Relationship-driven philanthropy: Grants flow through the Bagwells' extensive network of board service and long-term organizational relationships
  • Education-focused: Education at all levels represents the core philanthropic priority, with emphasis on access and equity
  • Geographic concentration: Organizations in Forsyth County, Hall County, and metro Atlanta have the strongest connection to the foundation's giving
  • Scale varies widely: The foundation makes both small grants ($2,000) and transformational gifts ($2.75 million), suggesting flexibility based on relationship and opportunity
  • Multi-generational commitment: The Bagwell family's Georgia philanthropy spans decades and multiple generations, with particular loyalty to Kennesaw State University
  • Board service as pathway: Organizations where Tommy Bagwell serves or has served on the board represent the most direct connection to funding opportunities

References

← Back to US Funders Directory