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James M. Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc

Annual Giving
$40.0M
Grant Range
$3K - $6.0M
Decision Time
4mo

James M. Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $40,020,834 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $793,917,812 (2023)
  • Decision Time: Approximately 3-7 months (dependent on application deadline)
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $6,000,000
  • Number of Grants: 77-84 grants annually
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Georgia, Florida, and California (communities where Cox Enterprises operates)
  • Founded: 1959

Contact Details

Overview

The James M. Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc, established in 1959, is the charitable and grant-making arm of Cox Enterprises, a communications, media, and automotive services company based in Atlanta. With assets exceeding $793 million and annual giving of approximately $40 million, the Foundation has distributed over $382 million through more than 1,000 grants since 2010. Chaired by Jim Kennedy, chairman emeritus of Cox Enterprises and grandson of founder James M. Cox, the Foundation operates on philanthropic principles rooted in James M. Cox's belief in "giving back to the communities we serve." The Foundation concentrates its support in four priority areas: biodiversity, conservation and environment; early childhood education (birth to 5 years); health; and empowering families and individuals for success. The Foundation primarily funds capital campaigns (building construction and renovations) and special projects (program expansions and capacity-building efforts) in communities where Cox Enterprises operates.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation supports capital campaigns and special projects across four core focus areas:

  • Capital Campaigns: Building construction, renovations, and major infrastructure projects (typical range: $100,000 - $6,000,000)
  • Program Expansion: Organizational strengthening, capacity-building efforts, and program development (typical range: $50,000 - $1,000,000)
  • Special Projects: Strategic initiatives aligned with Foundation priorities (typical range: $2,500 - $500,000)

Application Schedule: Three annual deadlines (February 15, June 15, October 15) with responses by May 15, October 31, and December 31 respectively. All applications must be submitted through the online portal.

Priority Areas

1. Biodiversity, Conservation and Environment The Foundation invests in organizations that protect habitats and species as well as preserve and restore natural areas. Major commitments include:

  • Waterfowl habitat conservation (nearly $100 million to Ducks Unlimited with an additional $100 million commitment)
  • Trail development and outdoor access (nearly $35 million to PATH Foundation; $30 million to Atlanta BeltLine Partnership)
  • Wildlife protection and habitat restoration
  • Natural area preservation

2. Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5 Years) Focus on early literacy as a building block of long-term academic success:

  • Educator training and professional development (Cox Campus has trained over 300,000 educators with $20+ million in support)
  • Demonstration classrooms and model programs ($7+ million to Cox Pre-K classes)
  • Early learning program expansion and quality improvement

3. Health Commitment to expanding access to quality care and improving the overall patient experience:

  • Patient access expansion and facility improvements ($10 million to Shepherd Center; $25 million to Emory University)
  • Behavioral health services ($5.51 million to Children's Nebraska)
  • Cancer care and specialized medical services ($5 million to Banner Health)
  • Patient monitoring technology and telehealth

4. Empowering Individuals and Families Supporting initiatives that expand access to services to help people improve their lives:

  • Youth development programs ($7.4+ million to Boys & Girls Clubs)
  • Affordable housing ($5 million to Westside Future Fund)
  • Family support services and community strengthening initiatives
  • Food security ($1 million to Atlanta Community Food Bank)

What They Don't Fund

  • Individual scholarships or scholarship-granting organizations
  • General operational budgets and routine programs
  • Initial funding or sole funding sources
  • Endowment contributions
  • Debt repayment
  • Event sponsorships and conferences
  • Legislative advocacy organizations
  • Political activities and campaigns
  • Religious organizations' general operations or sanctuary work (though social service projects from 501(c)(3) religious entities are considered if services are open to all)

Governance and Leadership

Jim Kennedy, Chairman - Chairman emeritus of Cox Enterprises and grandson of founder James M. Cox. Kennedy leads the Foundation's strategic direction and has been recognized with his wife Sarah as Philanthropists of the Year by the Greater Atlanta Chapter of the Association for Fundraising Professionals. On the Foundation's approach to healthcare giving, Kennedy stated: "The idea for our gift is rooted in my recent experiences with the health care system. We want it to be easier and less stressful for patients and their families whenever they face serious health issues."

Regarding sustainability and environmental commitment, Kennedy emphasized: "Cox Conserves is a story about taking action and inviting everyone to join us on our sustainability journey. While the world has seen drastic changes over the last decade, our commitment to sustainability has been unwavering."

The Foundation's assets are managed by the executive management team of Cox Enterprises. The board of trustees meets three times annually (April, August, and December) to review applications submitted by the preceding deadlines.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All grant requests must be submitted through the Foundation's online application portal accessible via www.coxfoundation.com. The process includes:

  1. Eligibility Quiz: First-time applicants must create an account and complete an eligibility quiz
  2. Online Application Form: After confirming eligibility, applicants are transferred to the full application form
  3. Account Creation: New applicants receive email confirmation with login credentials to save and resume applications
  4. Submission: Complete applications must be submitted by one of three annual deadlines

Application Deadlines: February 15, June 15, and October 15

Critical Requirement: Organizations outside the greater Atlanta metro area must include a letter of endorsement from a regional manager or equivalent leader at a local Cox business. This letter must be submitted with the application. The Foundation cannot provide contact information for Cox business leaders.

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadline → Board Review: Trustees meet in April (for February 15 deadline), August (for June 15 deadline), and December (for October 15 deadline)
  • Response Notification: May 15, October 31, and December 31 respectively
  • Overall Timeline: Approximately 3-7 months from application deadline to final decision

The Foundation may request additional information, conduct interviews, or schedule site visits as part of the review process.

Success Rates

With 77-84 grants awarded annually from an undisclosed number of applications, specific success rates are not publicly available. However, the Foundation emphasizes that successful applicants demonstrate:

  • Strong organizational leadership
  • Sustainable operations
  • Diverse funding sources
  • Documented program results

Reapplication Policy

24-Month Waiting Period: Organizations must wait at least 24 months from the date of their last application, regardless of its status (approved or denied), before submitting a new request to the Foundation.

No Supplemental Funding: The Foundation cannot provide additional funding if an initial grant doesn't cover the full requested amount.

Application Success Factors

Essential Requirement: Cox Business Relationship

Critical: "It is essential for any organization submitting a grant request to have an existing, meaningful relationship with a Cox business in their location. Organizations submitting applications without an existing Cox relationship will not be considered."

For organizations outside Atlanta, securing a letter of endorsement from a Cox regional manager or equivalent leader is mandatory. Atlanta-based organizations do not have this requirement but benefit from demonstrating Cox connections.

Alignment with Foundation Priorities

Successful applications demonstrate clear alignment with one or more of the four focus areas. Review recent grants in your focus area to understand funding patterns:

  • Conservation: Major multi-million dollar commitments to habitat protection and trail systems
  • Early Childhood Education: Strong preference for educator training and demonstration programs
  • Health: Emphasis on patient access, experience improvement, and capital projects
  • Empowering Families: Support for youth development, housing, and essential services

Capital Projects and Capacity Building

The Foundation explicitly focuses on "capital campaigns including building construction and renovations, and special projects including program expansions and capacity-building efforts." Routine operational requests and general support are not funded. Frame requests around:

  • Physical infrastructure needs
  • Program expansion with documented impact
  • Organizational capacity improvements
  • Strategic initiatives with measurable outcomes

Organizational Strength Indicators

The Foundation looks for:

  • Strong leadership: Demonstrated board and staff capability
  • Sustainable operations: Multiple revenue sources and financial stability
  • Diverse funding: Not seeking to be sole or initial funder
  • Documented results: Clear evidence of program effectiveness and impact measurement

Geographic Eligibility and Strategic Positioning

Priority is given to the greater Atlanta metro area. Organizations in other markets (Florida, California, or other Cox Enterprises locations) face higher barriers and must demonstrate strong local Cox business partnerships. If you're outside Atlanta:

  • Identify Cox businesses in your area (Cox Communications, Cox Automotive, etc.)
  • Build relationships well before applying
  • Secure endorsement letter early in the process

Technical Application Requirements

  • 501(c)(3) status with non-private foundation designation required (pending status not eligible)
  • Non-discriminatory policies mandatory
  • All submissions must be online (no mailed or emailed applications accepted)
  • Enable browser cookies to use "SAVE AND FINISH LATER" feature
  • Only one application per organization within 24-month period

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Cox connection is non-negotiable: Outside Atlanta, you cannot apply without a letter of endorsement from a Cox business leader. Start building this relationship immediately if you don't have one.

  • Think capital and expansion, not operations: Frame requests around building projects, major program expansion, or organizational capacity development—not routine budgets or ongoing programs.

  • Demonstrate organizational strength: The Foundation seeks partners with proven leadership, diverse funding, and documented impact. Showcase your sustainability and results.

  • Align tightly with one of four focus areas: Conservation/environment, early childhood education (birth-5), health, or empowering families. Study recent grants in your area to understand what the Foundation funds.

  • Plan for long timeline: With only three annual deadlines and board meetings months apart, applications can take 3-7 months from submission to decision. Apply early and plan accordingly.

  • Respect the 24-month rule: You get one shot every two years. Make it count by ensuring your application is ready, your Cox relationship is solid, and your project clearly aligns with Foundation priorities.

  • Large grants are possible but competitive: While grants range from $2,500 to $6 million, major grants ($1 million+) go to well-established organizations with significant Cox relationships and transformative projects. Set realistic expectations based on your organization's profile and relationship depth.

References

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