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Chestnut Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$16.5M
Grant Range
$10K - $5.0M

Chestnut Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $16.5 million (2023)
  • Total Assets: $277 million
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $5,000,000 (most under $3 million)
  • Number of Grants: 22-23 annually
  • Median Grant: $155,000
  • Geographic Focus: Greater Atlanta area, Georgia (limited giving elsewhere)
  • Application Method: No unsolicited proposals; inquiry via contact form

Contact Details

  • Website: chestnutfamily.foundation
  • Phone: (404) 256-1606
  • Address: 1355 Peachtree St NE, Suite 1450, Atlanta, GA 30309
  • Contact Form: Available on website for general inquiries

Overview

The Chestnut Family Foundation was established in 2017 by Teresa and Ben Chestnut. Ben is the co-founder and former CEO of MailChimp, a global email marketing software company, which was acquired by Intuit for approximately $12 billion in 2021. Teresa is a former pediatric nurse at Hughes Spalding Hospital in Atlanta. The foundation holds approximately $277 million in assets and distributes over $16 million annually through 22-23 grants.

The foundation's mission focuses on improving the lives of children through access to arts education, early childhood education, and pediatric health. Their stated mission: "All children should have access to resources that enable them to be healthy, develop self-confidence, and enjoy life." The development of self-confidence in children is described as the driving force behind their grantmaking. The Chestnuts reside in Atlanta with their two sons.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate named grant programs but focuses on several priority areas:

  • Arts Education: $100,000 - $5,000,000 (primary focus; organizations providing in- and out-of-school arts learning at K-12 level)
  • Early Childhood Education: $500,000 - $2,000,000 (full-day preschool and youth development programs)
  • Pediatric Health: $100,000 - $1,000,000 (medical care coordination, mental health, bereavement support)
  • Capital Campaigns: $500,000 - $2,000,000 (facility expansions for established grantees)

Priority Areas

  • Performing arts access and programming for children
  • Music education in public schools
  • Dance and movement education
  • Youth development programs
  • Grief and trauma support for children
  • Early childhood education (ages 6 weeks to 5 years)
  • Organizations serving vulnerable populations (homeless youth, at-risk families)
  • Organizations serving Black communities in Georgia

What They Don't Fund

Based on their stated focus and giving patterns:

  • Organizations outside Georgia (with rare exceptions)
  • Adult-focused programs without youth components
  • General operating requests from unfamiliar organizations
  • Unsolicited proposals

Governance and Leadership

Founders and Trustees:

  • Benjamin L. Chestnut - Co-founder and Trustee. Former CEO and co-founder of MailChimp. Studied physics and industrial design.
  • Teresa K. Chestnut - Co-founder and Trustee. Originally from South Korea; former pediatric nurse at Hughes Spalding Hospital in Atlanta.

Neither trustee receives compensation for their foundation roles.

Ben Chestnut on philanthropy:

"You might have a strong yearning to help, but you've got to lay your own foundation first. There's nothing wrong with that."

"When you're ready to help others, don't forget your hometowns. It took a village to raise you up."

The foundation also references a Buddhist principle that guides their approach: "If you can help, help. If you can't, then do no harm."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Chestnut Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. However, they welcome general inquiries through the contact form on their website. According to the foundation, "all inquiries are reviewed by the foundation's team."

Organizations can also reach out via phone at (404) 256-1606.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's documented practices:

  • Submit an inquiry through their contact form: The foundation states they review all inquiries, making this the formal pathway for new organizations
  • Be visible in the Atlanta arts and youth education community: The foundation actively identifies organizations serving children in the greater Atlanta area
  • Articulate specific needs clearly: Ben Chestnut has noted that when the foundation first contacted grantees during COVID-19, some organizations declined support until convinced otherwise; being willing to discuss how funding can enable strategic pivots is valued
  • Align with their stated criteria: Organizations should demonstrate compassion and creativity in serving children, deep community knowledge, and entrepreneurial leadership

Decision Timeline

The foundation does not publish specific decision timelines. Based on their informal inquiry process, organizations should expect relationship-building to occur before any formal funding discussions.

Reapplication Policy

No formal reapplication policy is published. Given the relationship-based nature of their grantmaking, continued engagement through their preferred channels is advisable.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated criteria and giving patterns:

Organizational Characteristics They Seek:

  • Demonstrated compassion and creativity in serving children
  • Deep community knowledge and connections in Georgia
  • Dynamic leadership with an entrepreneurial approach
  • Commitment to expanding access and choice for children
  • Small to medium-sized organizations (they explicitly target this size)
  • Focus on equitable access to arts and health resources

What Makes Organizations Stand Out:

  • Evidence of building confidence in children through programming
  • Track record of serving vulnerable populations in Georgia
  • Ability to articulate clear, specific needs beyond general operating support
  • Willingness to engage in strategic conversations about programming
  • Strong local community roots and understanding

Recent Grant Recipients as Examples:

  • Moving in the Spirit ($587,500 in 2024) - Dance education serving youth across Atlanta
  • Atlanta Music Project ($1,142,000 in 2023) - Music education and career development
  • Global Village Project ($2,000,000) - Education for refugee girls in Decatur
  • Kate's Club ($950,000 in 2025) - Grief support for 1,500+ youth annually
  • City of Refuge ($500,000) - Youth development from preschool through high school
  • MTB Atlanta ($1,008,535) - Trail construction promoting youth outdoor activity

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No unsolicited proposals accepted - Organizations must submit inquiries through the contact form and build relationships before formal funding discussions
  • Georgia focus is essential - Giving is primarily limited to the greater Atlanta area; organizations outside this geography are rarely funded
  • Children are the priority - Every program they fund directly serves children and youth; adult programs without youth components are unlikely to receive support
  • Arts education is the primary focus - Most grants support performing arts, music education, and creative youth development
  • They value small and medium organizations - The foundation explicitly seeks organizations of this size rather than large institutions
  • Building confidence in children - This is described as the driving force behind their grantmaking; programs should demonstrate how they build self-confidence
  • Relationship-based grantmaking - The foundation maintains long-term partnerships with grantees (e.g., Atlanta Music Project has received multiple grants including capital campaign support and scholarship funds)

References

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