Tome Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,719,377 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: National (per recent 990-PF records, with grants to Georgia, Wyoming, Colorado, South Carolina, and North Carolina)
• Total Assets: $18.8 million (2024)

Contact Details

Website: www.thetomefoundationgives.org

Address: Atlanta, GA 30339

Note: Specific phone and email contact information is not publicly available. Contact details may be accessible through their website or Form 990-PF filings.

Overview

The Tomé Foundation was established by Carol Tomé (CEO of UPS from 2020 to 2026, and previously CFO of The Home Depot) and her husband Ramon Tomé (retired environmental technologist) after Carol's retirement from Home Depot in 2019. The foundation became tax-exempt in March 2020 and held approximately $18.8 million in assets as of fiscal year 2024. In its 2024 fiscal year, the foundation distributed $1,719,377 in charitable grants. The foundation's mission is to "support organisations and institutions in such a way as to influence lives to meet the significant challenges of the day." The Tomé family operates two philanthropic vehicles: The Tomé Foundation (focused on STEAM scholarships) and The Carol and Ramon Tomé Family Fund (a donor-advised fund supporting broader community initiatives). Carol's personal philosophy of "Lead to inspire, serve to create, give to remain" guides their philanthropic work.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

1. Tomé Scholar Program

• STEAM educational scholarships at accredited colleges and universities across the United States
• Focus on women and minorities in STEAM curriculum
• Geographic focus includes students from Denver, Wyoming, Georgia, and Morehouse

2. Institutional Grants

• Support for nonprofit organisations aligned with foundation priorities
• Recent grantees include Georgia Aquarium
• 8 awards in 2022; 6 awards in 2024 per recent 990-PF records

Priority Areas

The foundation supports organisations and programmes in four core areas:

• Education: STEAM education, scholarships, and learning opportunities for underrepresented groups
• Arts: Support for arts organisations and cultural institutions
• Environment: Organisations protecting natural resources and environmental causes
• Economic Empowerment: Programmes that empower people for success and economic prosperity

The foundation also emphasises diversity and inclusion across all funding areas.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a private foundation, donations to the Tomé Foundation itself are not tax-deductible, though organisations receiving grants are typically tax-exempt nonprofits.

Governance and Leadership

Carol B. Tomé - President

• CEO of UPS from 2020 to 2026
• Former CFO of The Home Depot
• Named 2024 Georgia Trustee
• Board service includes: Verizon Communications, The Carter Center, Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation, Atlanta Botanical Garden
• Former board member: Atlanta History Center (trustee emeritus), Forward Arts Foundation, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Ramon Tomé - Vice President

• Retired environmental technologist
• Co-founder with Carol of the foundation's philanthropic initiatives

Compensation: No compensation is reported for leadership positions; the foundation operates as a private family foundation.

Leadership Philosophy: Virginia Hepner, former CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center, praised Carol's "vision to help the next generation succeed through her Tomé Foundation," noting her commitment to creating opportunities for underrepresented groups in STEAM fields.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Tomé Foundation operates as a private family foundation and does not appear to have a public, open application process for institutional grants. As is common with private foundations of this type, grants are typically made to organisations selected by the foundation's trustees through their networks and strategic interests.

For Scholarship Programmes: The Tomé Scholar Program information can be found on their website at www.thetomefoundationgives.org, though specific application procedures, deadlines, and eligibility criteria are not widely publicised in general searches.

For Organisational Grants: The foundation appears to identify grantees through trustee discretion and existing relationships rather than accepting unsolicited proposals. With only 4–8 grants made annually, this is a highly selective, relationship-based foundation.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As a private foundation with trustee-driven grantmaking, decisions likely occur at board meetings throughout the year rather than on a fixed grant cycle.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not available. The foundation made:

• 6 grants in 2024 (per recent 990-PF records)
• 8 grants in 2022
• 4 grants in 2021
• 4 grants in 2020

This suggests a highly selective approach with a small number of grants awarded annually.

Reapplication Policy

No public information is available regarding reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Given the private nature of this foundation, success factors are inferred from the foundation's stated priorities and the founders' background:

Alignment with Foundation Mission: Organisations should clearly demonstrate how their work advances one or more of the foundation's four priority areas: education (especially STEAM), arts, environment, and economic empowerment.

Diversity and Inclusion: The foundation explicitly prioritises support for women and minorities, particularly in STEAM fields. Organisations with strong diversity missions or programming are likely to align well.

Atlanta and Georgia Connections: While the foundation supports organisations nationally, there is evidence of support for Georgia-based institutions (e.g., Georgia Aquarium). Organisations with ties to Atlanta or areas where the Tomés have connections (Denver, Wyoming) may have an advantage.

Established Institutions: Known grantees include major, established institutions like the Georgia Aquarium, suggesting the foundation may prefer supporting organisations with proven track records and stability.

Board and Network Connections: As with many private foundations, personal connections through board service and professional networks likely play a significant role. Carol's extensive board service in Atlanta civic organisations suggests opportunities for relationship building through these channels.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Private foundation structure: This is a family foundation that does not accept unsolicited applications for institutional grants; relationship building is essential
• Dual focus: The foundation operates both scholarship programmes (for students) and institutional grants (for nonprofits) — understand which programme aligns with your needs
• Small grant portfolio: With only 4–8 institutional grants made annually, this is an extremely selective funder
• Mission alignment is critical: Focus areas are education/STEAM, arts, environment, and economic empowerment, with emphasis on diversity and inclusion
• Network-driven: Carol Tomé's extensive board service and leadership positions in Atlanta create potential connection points through shared networks
• Geographic considerations: While national in scope, there appears to be preference for Georgia, Denver, and Wyoming connections based on recent 990-PF records
• Asset trajectory: The foundation's assets have grown from initial formation to $18.8 million, suggesting potential for expanded grantmaking in future years

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Tome Foundation (EIN 84-2782103), accessed January 7, 2026: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/842782103
2. Cause IQ - The Tome Foundation profile, accessed January 7, 2026: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/tome-foundation,842782103/
3. The Tomé Foundation website, accessed January 7, 2026: https://www.thetomefoundationgives.org/
4. Georgia Historical Society - Carol and Ramon Tomé Family Fund, accessed January 7, 2026: https://www.georgiahistory.com/carol-and-ramon-tome-family-fund/
5. Wikipedia - Carol Tomé biography, accessed January 7, 2026: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Tom%C3%A9
6. SaportaReport - "Carol Tomé on becoming CEO of UPS: 'This was my calling'", accessed January 7, 2026: https://saportareport.com/carol-tome-on-becoming-ceo-of-ups-this-was-my-calling/columnists/maria_saporta/
7. Georgia Trend Magazine - "2024 Georgia Trustees: Dr. Louis Sullivan and Carol Tomé", accessed January 7, 2026: https://www.georgiatrend.com/2024/01/30/2024-georgia-trustees-dr-louis-sullivan-and-carol-tome/
8. Council for Quality Growth - Carol B. Tomé Four Pillar Award announcement, accessed January 7, 2026: https://www.councilforqualitygrowth.org/council-for-quality-growth-presents-carol-b-tome-with-33rd-annual-four-pillar-award/