← Back to US Funders Directory

O. Wayne Rollins Foundation

Annual Giving
$36.1M
Grant Range
$1K - $100.0M

O. Wayne Rollins Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $36,084,138 (2023)
  • Total Assets: Approximately $800 million
  • Number of Grants: 20 awards in 2023
  • Grant Range: $500 - $500,000 (typical); multi-million dollar naming gifts
  • Geographic Focus: Georgia, particularly Atlanta
  • Application Process: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Address: 1908 Cliff Valley Way, Atlanta, GA 30329

Note: The foundation does not have a public website and does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

Overview

Established in 1967, the O. Wayne Rollins Foundation is a private independent foundation based in Atlanta, Georgia, named after family patriarch Orville Wayne Rollins (1912-1991), who built the parent company of Orkin, one of the largest pest control conglomerates in North America. With approximately $800 million in assets, the foundation distributed over $36 million in grants in 2023. The foundation's mission is to improve the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of people, predominantly in the state of Georgia. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, funding preselected charitable organizations rather than accepting public applications. Its giving focuses on transformational gifts to higher education institutions, particularly those with existing Rollins family connections, as well as healthcare, public health, cancer research, and human services organizations serving the Atlanta community.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs with published guidelines. Instead, it makes strategic investments based on trustee discretion. Grant amounts vary significantly:

  • Standard Grants: $500 - $500,000 for community organizations and operating support
  • Transformational Gifts: Multi-million dollar grants (often $20-100 million) for naming opportunities at major institutions

Priority Areas

Higher Education

  • Universities and colleges, particularly in Georgia and those with Rollins family connections
  • Student scholarships and financial aid programs
  • Theological education and ministry training
  • Business schools and STEM programs

Public Health and Healthcare

  • Public health schools and research
  • Cancer research and treatment facilities
  • Medical centers and hospitals
  • Rehabilitation facilities

Human Services (Atlanta-focused)

  • Organizations helping residents meet basic needs
  • Youth development and education
  • Community development initiatives
  • Faith-based social services

Primary and Secondary Education

  • Private schools
  • Public school systems in Georgia
  • Early childhood development programs

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publicly disclose exclusions, but based on their giving patterns, they focus exclusively on Georgia-based organizations or those with strong Georgia connections.

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team:

  • Amy Rollins Kreisler - Executive Director and Trustee (compensation: $300,000; works 25 hours per week)
  • Gary W. Rollins - Trustee (serves without compensation)
  • Pam R. Rollins - Trustee (serves without compensation)
  • Tim Rollins - Trustee (serves without compensation)

Timothy C. Rollins serves on Emory University's Board of Trustees, reflecting the deep connection between the foundation and the university. Multiple trustees are involved in both the O. Wayne Rollins Foundation and the related Gary W. Rollins Foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. The foundation does not have its own website to guide grant seekers and does not make grant guidelines or selection process available to the public.

Grants are made based on trustee discretion and existing relationships with organizations. The foundation typically supports institutions with long-standing connections to the Rollins family.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - decisions are made by trustees on a discretionary basis throughout the year.

Success Rates

With only 20 grants awarded in 2023 from assets of $800 million, the foundation maintains a highly selective approach focused on deep partnerships with preselected organizations rather than broad grantmaking.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that have received funding share these characteristics:

Existing Relationship with the Rollins Family The foundation consistently supports organizations with historical ties to O. Wayne Rollins or current connections to family members. As noted in their $20 million gift to Candler School of Theology, the gift "connects deeply with O. Wayne Rollins' first gift to Emory, which was to Candler, as a way to maintain that connection to what he wanted to achieve: to support and encourage those who wanted to be Methodist ministers."

Focus on the Foundation's Core Mission Successful recipients align with the foundation's mission "to improve the physical, mental, and spiritual well being of people, predominantly in the state of Georgia." This explicitly includes all three dimensions: physical health (medical facilities, public health), mental health (healthcare services), and spiritual well-being (theological education, faith-based services).

Georgia Location or Impact The vast majority of grants benefit Georgia-based organizations or programs specifically serving Georgia residents, particularly in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Capacity for Transformational Impact Recent major grants demonstrate the foundation's interest in funding initiatives that can achieve significant scale and lasting impact:

  • $100 million to Emory's Rollins School of Public Health (2022)
  • $65 million to Emory's Rollins School of Public Health (2019)
  • $25 million to University of the Cumberlands for scholarships (2023)
  • $20 million to Candler School of Theology (2024)

Student Support and Educational Access Multiple recent grants have specifically supported scholarship programs and expanded access to education, indicating this as a current priority area.

Long-term Partnership Approach The foundation's relationship with Shepherd Center exemplifies their approach: "Since 2008, The O. Wayne Rollins Foundation has been a consistent Shepherd supporter, making donations wherever needed to help fulfill the hospital's mission," supporting multiple initiatives including establishing named programs and research directorships.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications - traditional grant writing will not result in funding
  • The foundation awards approximately 20 grants per year with total giving of $36+ million, indicating highly selective grantmaking focused on significant partnerships
  • Priority is given to organizations with existing Rollins family connections, particularly those tied to O. Wayne Rollins' original philanthropic interests
  • Geographic focus is almost exclusively on Georgia, with particular emphasis on Atlanta metropolitan area
  • The foundation makes both large transformational gifts ($20-100 million) to major institutions and smaller grants ($500-500,000) to community organizations
  • Recent giving patterns show strong emphasis on student scholarships and expanding educational access
  • The foundation values long-term partnerships, providing sustained support over many years rather than one-time grants
  • Their mission encompasses physical, mental, AND spiritual well-being - not just secular causes

References

← Back to US Funders Directory