The Knox Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4.5 million (2024)
• Grant Median: $25,000
• Grant Range: Varies widely, from small grants to $800,000
• Total Grants (2024): 83 grants
• Assets: $105 million
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Augusta and Thomson, GA

Contact Details

Address: 3133 Washington Road, Thomson, GA 30824

Phone: (706) 595-1907

Contact Person: Kelley Hopkins

Note: There is no website or email address publicly listed for The Knox Foundation.

Overview

Established in 1981 (tax-exempt since November 1982), The Knox Foundation is a private family foundation based in Thomson, Georgia. With assets of approximately $105 million and annual distributions of $4.5 million, the foundation has been a consistent supporter of nonprofit organizations in the Augusta-Thomson area for over four decades. Since 2015, the foundation has awarded 778 individual grants totaling over $29 million. The foundation is led by family members Jefferson B.A. Knox and Elizabeth Knox Hopkins, who serve as directors. The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on social services, education, arts, and medical causes, with a strong commitment to organizations serving the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) region of Georgia.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Based on 2024 grantmaking patterns, The Knox Foundation focuses on:

1. Social Services (32 grants in 2024) - The largest category of funding

   • Notable recipient: Salvation Army ($800,000)

2. Education (15 grants in 2024)

   • Notable recipient: Frederica Academy ($250,000)
   • Support for educational institutions and programs

3. Arts (12 grants in 2024)

   • Notable recipient: Augusta Players Inc ($600,000)
   • Support for arts and cultural organizations

4. Medical (7 grants in 2024)

   • Healthcare and medical services

Geographic Focus

The Knox Foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in Augusta and Thomson, GA, with occasional grants to organizations in neighboring areas of Georgia.

What They Don't Fund

• Only 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible
• Organizations outside the foundation's primary geographic focus area (Augusta-Thomson region) are less likely to receive funding

Governance and Leadership

Directors:

• Jefferson B.A. Knox, Director (40 hours/week)

  • Compensation: $160,000 (2024)
  • Additional compensation: $40,000

• Elizabeth Knox Hopkins, Director (10 hours/week)

  • Compensation: $36,000 (2024)
  • Additional compensation: $9,000

Additional Contact:

• Judy Whiddon, Secretary-Treasurer

The foundation is managed by family members who maintain hands-on involvement in grantmaking decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Knox Foundation does not have a public website or formal online application portal. Organizations interested in funding must:

1. Contact the foundation directly by phone at (706) 595-1907
2. Request application forms from foundation staff (contact person: Kelley Hopkins)
3. Verify submission deadlines, as they are not publicly posted

Organizations must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to be eligible for funding.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. Interested organizations should inquire about timelines when requesting application materials.

Success Rates

With 83-107 grants awarded annually from an unknown number of applications, specific success rates are not publicly available. However, the foundation maintains consistent grantmaking year over year, suggesting a relatively stable pool of supported organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies is not publicly available. Organizations should inquire when contacting the foundation about initial applications.

Application Success Factors

While The Knox Foundation does not publish detailed guidance for applicants, research suggests several factors that may strengthen applications:

Geographic Alignment: The foundation strongly prioritizes organizations serving the Augusta-Thomson, GA area. Organizations based in or primarily serving this region appear to have the strongest chance of success.

Established Track Record: Recent large grants to well-established organizations (Salvation Army, Augusta Players, Frederica Academy) suggest the foundation may favor organizations with proven track records and community impact.

Diverse Funding Portfolio: The foundation supports a wide range of causes (social services, education, arts, medical) rather than focusing narrowly on one sector. This suggests openness to strong proposals across multiple fields.

Range of Grant Sizes: While the median grant is $25,000, the foundation awards grants ranging from small amounts to $800,000, indicating flexibility based on project scope and organizational capacity.

Local Connection: Given the family foundation structure and geographic focus, existing relationships or connections to the Thomson-Augusta community may be beneficial.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Contact First: With no website or online application, your first step must be a phone call to (706) 595-1907 to request application materials and deadlines
• Geographic Focus is Critical: This foundation strongly prioritizes Augusta and Thomson, GA. Organizations outside this region should carefully consider their connection to the area before applying
• Wide Grant Range: Don't self-select out based on project size - grants range from small amounts to $800,000, with a median of $25,000
• Established Relationships Matter: As a family foundation with consistent grantmaking patterns, building a relationship over time may be valuable
• Multiple Sectors Supported: The foundation funds across social services, education, arts, and medical causes - strong proposals in any of these areas may be competitive
• Private Foundation Model: With family directors making decisions, the application process may be more personal and relationship-based than larger institutional funders
• Consistent Annual Giving: The foundation awards 80-110 grants annually with stable funding levels, indicating reliable ongoing commitment to the region

References

• Grantmakers.io Profile - The Knox Foundation. Accessed January 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/586163728-the-knox-foundation/
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Knox Foundation (EIN 58-6163728). Form 990-PF filings. Accessed January 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/586163728
• Candid Foundation Directory - The Knox Foundation. Last Updated: 03/21/2025. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=KNOX013
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Knox Foundation, Thomson, GA. Accessed January 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/the-knox-foundation
• GuideStar Profile - The Knox Foundation (58-6163728). Accessed January 2026. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/58-6163728