The Kelin Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,734,750 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (invitation-only process)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Varies (Average grant: $84,881)
• Number of Grants: 45 awards (2023)
• Geographic Focus: Greater metropolitan Atlanta area and Coastal Georgia
• Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Address: 3300 Riverwood Parkway SE, Suite 1200, Atlanta, GA 30339

Phone: (770) 988-3283

Email: krobinson@kelin.org (Kelsey Robinson, Executive Director)

Website: kelin.org

Note: The Foundation considers proposals by invitation only. Direct inquiries may be directed to Kelsey Robinson.

Overview

The Kelin Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2000 by Beth and Tommy Holder, named for their two daughters. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the foundation operates with approximately $28 million in assets and distributed $3,734,750 in grants during 2023 across 45 awards. Formerly known as The Holder Construction Foundation, the foundation reflects the philanthropic vision of Tommy Holder, former Chairman and CEO of Holder Construction Company (one of the nation's top 25 contractors), and Beth Holder, who previously served as Chair of the Board of the Atlanta Ballet and Agnes Scott College. The foundation focuses exclusively on supporting nonprofit organizations in the greater metropolitan Atlanta area and Coastal Georgia, with a particular emphasis on equitable grantmaking across arts & culture, civic & community, education, environmental, and health & human services sectors.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through an invitation-only model with no publicly available grant programs or application cycles. In 2023, the foundation made 45 grants totaling $3,734,750, with an average grant size of approximately $84,881. The foundation has shown consistent grantmaking activity, with 42 awards in 2022 and 37 awards in 2021.

Priority Areas

Arts & Culture: The foundation supports museums, performing arts organizations, and cultural institutions. This reflects Beth Holder's previous leadership role as Chair of the Board of the Atlanta Ballet.

Civic & Community: Support for community development initiatives and civic engagement programs, particularly in the Atlanta metropolitan area and Coastal Georgia.

Education: Educational institutions and programs, with known connections to institutions such as Agnes Scott College (Beth Holder's alma mater) and Georgia Tech (Tommy Holder's alma mater, where he serves on the Foundation Board).

Environmental: Environmental conservation and sustainability initiatives, with particular focus on Coastal Georgia through partnerships with organizations like the St. Simons Land Trust.

Health & Human Services: Support for healthcare and social service organizations. Tommy Holder serves as Board Chair of the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta System Board, suggesting potential alignment with children's health initiatives.

Zoos and Animal Welfare: The foundation has been noted to support zoos and animal welfare organizations.

Geographic Focus

• Primary Focus: Greater metropolitan Atlanta area
• Secondary Focus: Coastal Georgia, including communities such as Savannah, Beaufort, St. Simons Island, and Highlands

The foundation also supports initiatives in other states including Colorado, Massachusetts, Texas, and major urban centers like New York, Dallas, and Washington, D.C., though these appear to be exceptions rather than the core focus.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the invitation-only model suggests the foundation does not fund:

• Organizations outside their stated geographic focus areas without compelling connections
• Unsolicited proposals from organizations unknown to the foundation
• Individual scholarships or grants (appears to focus on institutional giving)

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

Beth Holder, President: Beth currently serves as President of the Kelin Foundation. She graduated from Agnes Scott College in 1982 with a B.A. in Economics and served as Chair of the Board of her alma mater from 2017-2021. During the early 1990s, she served as Chair of the Board of the Atlanta Ballet. Beth is deeply involved in the Atlanta philanthropic community and brings extensive nonprofit governance experience to the foundation's leadership.

Tommy Holder, Founder & Trustee: Thomas Milton Holder was born in Atlanta in 1956 and graduated from Georgia Tech in 1979 with a B.S. in Industrial Management. He served as President and CEO of Holder Construction from 1989 and as Chairman and CEO from 1997 until stepping down as CEO in 2021 (remaining Chairman). Under his leadership, Holder Construction became one of the nation's top 25 contractors with over $8 billion in annual revenues. Tommy currently serves as:

• Board Chair, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta System Board
• Board Chair, Georgia Historical Society
• Board member, Westside Future Fund
• Board member, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
• Board member, Georgia Research Alliance
• Board member and current Chair, Georgia Tech Foundation

Tommy was named the 36th recipient of the Council for Quality Growth's Four Pillar Tribute Award in 2025, recognizing his contributions to Atlanta's development and philanthropic community.

Kelsey Robinson, Executive Director: Kelsey Robinson serves as Executive Director and is the primary contact for foundation inquiries. She has made support of the Georgia coast a focus of the foundation's work.

Additional Governance: The foundation maintains a distribution committee and includes other trustees such as David O'Haren, who contribute their time without compensation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Kelin Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. The foundation operates exclusively through an invitation-only model. Organizations cannot submit applications unless they have been invited to do so by the foundation's leadership.

For general inquiries only, organizations may contact:

• Kelsey Robinson, Executive Director
• Email: krobinson@kelin.org
• Phone: (770) 988-3283

However, contacting the foundation does not guarantee consideration for funding, and unsolicited proposals are not reviewed.

Getting on Their Radar

The Kelin Foundation's invitation-only model means traditional application strategies do not apply. However, organizations seeking to build relationships with the foundation can consider the following funder-specific approaches:

Board Connections: Both Beth and Tommy Holder serve on numerous nonprofit boards in Atlanta and Georgia. Organizations where the Holders serve in leadership positions or have demonstrated involvement include:

• Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (Tommy is Board Chair)
• Georgia Historical Society (Tommy is Board Chair)
• Agnes Scott College (Beth served as Board Chair 2017-2021)
• Atlanta Ballet (Beth served as Board Chair in the 1990s)
• Georgia Tech Foundation (Tommy is current Chair)
• Westside Future Fund (Tommy is board member)
• St. Simons Land Trust (connection through Kelsey Robinson)

Geographic and Mission Alignment: The foundation has clear priorities in:

• Greater Atlanta metropolitan area
• Coastal Georgia (particularly through Executive Director Kelsey Robinson's focus)
• Arts & culture organizations with established track records
• Educational institutions in Georgia
• Environmental conservation in Coastal Georgia
• Health and human services, particularly children's healthcare

Professional Networks: Tommy Holder's extensive involvement in the Atlanta business community through:

• Holder Construction projects and partnerships
• Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce board membership
• Georgia Research Alliance involvement
• Council for Quality Growth (which honored him with the 2025 Four Pillar Tribute Award)

Demonstrated Excellence: The foundation appears to support established institutions with proven track records rather than startup organizations. Having recognition in Atlanta's philanthropic or professional communities may increase visibility.

Coastal Georgia Connection: Organizations working in Coastal Georgia, particularly on environmental conservation or community development, may align with Executive Director Kelsey Robinson's stated focus on supporting the Georgia coast.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed due to the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grantmaking process. Grants appear to be made on a rolling basis throughout the year rather than in specific funding cycles.

Success Rates

Success rates are not applicable or publicly available, as the foundation only invites organizations to apply when funding has been identified for them.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only model.

Application Success Factors

Given the invitation-only nature of the Kelin Foundation, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that receive invitations should consider:

Alignment with Holder Family Values: The foundation reflects the personal commitments and board service of Beth and Tommy Holder. Organizations should understand:

• Tommy Holder's commitment to Atlanta's development and quality growth
• Beth Holder's background in arts & culture and education
• The family's deep Georgia roots and multi-generational commitment to the state
• Their focus on institutions that have "impacted their lives" (quote from Tommy's biography)

Geographic Relevance: Priority appears to be given to:

• Metro Atlanta organizations where the Holders live and work
• Coastal Georgia organizations, particularly St. Simons Island area where the family has connections
• Established Georgia institutions

Institutional Capacity: With an average grant size of approximately $85,000, the foundation appears to support:

• Established organizations with proven track records
• Institutions capable of managing significant grants
• Organizations where a grant can make meaningful impact

Connection to Board Service: Organizations where Beth or Tommy Holder serve in leadership positions or have demonstrated involvement appear to be natural partners for the foundation.

Mission Excellence: The foundation supports organizations across diverse sectors, suggesting they value:

• Excellence in execution within respective fields
• Strong governance and leadership
• Alignment with Atlanta and Georgia's civic and cultural development

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Invitation-Only Model: The Kelin Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Traditional grant-seeking strategies do not apply to this funder.

2. Family Foundation Approach: This is a private family foundation that reflects the personal philanthropic interests and board commitments of Beth and Tommy Holder. Understanding their individual involvement in Atlanta's nonprofit sector is crucial.

3. Geographic Focus: Strong preference for greater Atlanta metropolitan area and Coastal Georgia. Organizations outside these areas are rarely funded unless they have compelling connections to the Holders' interests.

4. Substantial Average Grant Size: At approximately $85,000 per grant, this foundation makes meaningful awards to a selective number of organizations (45 grants in 2023 from assets of $28 million).

5. Board Connections Matter: Both founders serve on numerous nonprofit boards. Organizations where the Holders have leadership roles or demonstrated involvement are most likely to receive funding.

6. Multi-Generational Commitment to Georgia: The foundation represents deep Georgia roots, with focus on institutions and communities that have impacted the Holder family's life, including their daughters' generation (for whom the foundation is named).

7. Relationship-Based Philanthropy: This foundation exemplifies relationship-based giving. Building authentic connections through shared board service, professional networks, or community involvement in Atlanta or Coastal Georgia is the pathway to consideration, not submitting proposals.

References

1. The Kelin Foundation official website - kelin.org (Accessed March 3, 2026)
2. The Kelin Foundation, Cause IQ Profile - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-kelin-foundation,586412965/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)
3. The Kelin Foundation, ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/586412965 (Accessed March 3, 2026)
4. The Kelin Foundation, Instrumentl 990 Report - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/the-kelin-foundation (Accessed March 3, 2026)
5. Elizabeth and Thomas Holder Fund, Georgia Historical Society - https://www.georgiahistory.com/elizabeth-and-thomas-holder-fund/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)
6. "Honoring Tommy Holder, Recipient of the 2025 Four Pillar Tribute Award," Georgia Tech Office of the President - https://president.gatech.edu/blog/honoring-tommy-holder-recipient-2025-four-pillar-tribute-award (Accessed March 3, 2026)
7. "Meet Tommy," 2025 Four Pillar Tribute - https://www.fourpillartribute.com/home/meet-tommy/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)
8. The Kelin Foundation, Foundation Directory, Candid - https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=HOLD048 (Accessed March 3, 2026)
9. Kelsey Robinson LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsey-robinson-6841071b/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)
10. Board of Directors, St. Simons Land Trust - https://sslt.org/our-mission/board-of-directors/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)