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 (with emphasis on Georgia, Denver, Wyoming areas)
- 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) 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 currently holds approximately $18.8 million in assets. In 2024, the foundation distributed $1,719,377 in charitable grants, representing 97.4% of its annual expenses. The foundation's mission is to "support organizations 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 Programs
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 organizations aligned with foundation priorities
- Recent grantees include Georgia Aquarium
- 8 awards made in 2022, 4 awards in subsequent years
Priority Areas
The foundation supports organizations and programs in four core areas:
- Education: STEAM education, scholarships, and learning opportunities for underrepresented groups
- Arts: Support for arts organizations and cultural institutions
- Environment: Organizations protecting natural resources and environmental causes
- Economic Empowerment: Programs that empower people for success and economic prosperity
The foundation also emphasizes 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 organizations receiving grants are typically tax-exempt nonprofits.
Governance and Leadership
Carol B. Tomé - President
- CEO of UPS (appointed 2020)
- 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 organizations selected by the foundation's trustees through their networks and strategic interests.
For Scholarship Programs: 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 publicized in general searches.
For Organizational 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:
- 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: Organizations 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 prioritizes support for women and minorities, particularly in STEAM fields. Organizations with strong diversity missions or programming are likely to align well.
Atlanta and Georgia Connections: While the foundation supports organizations nationally, there is evidence of support for Georgia-based institutions (e.g., Georgia Aquarium). Organizations 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 organizations 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 organizations 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 programs (for students) and institutional grants (for nonprofits) - understand which program 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
- Asset trajectory: The foundation's assets have grown from initial formation to $18.8 million, suggesting potential for expanded grantmaking in future years
References
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Tome Foundation (EIN 84-2782103), accessed January 7, 2026: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/842782103
- Cause IQ - The Tome Foundation profile, accessed January 7, 2026: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/tome-foundation,842782103/
- The Tomé Foundation website, accessed January 7, 2026: https://www.thetomefoundationgives.org/
- Georgia Historical Society - Carol and Ramon Tomé Family Fund, accessed January 7, 2026: https://www.georgiahistory.com/carol-and-ramon-tome-family-fund/
- Wikipedia - Carol Tomé biography, accessed January 7, 2026: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Tom%C3%A9
- 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/
- 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/
- 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/