Grants

The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation is an independent private foundation that seeks to improve the quality of life in Georgia by investing in health, education, economic opportunity and community vitality.

Our Approach

We pursue our mission by responding to community needs, typically making grants to institutions and projects with strong leadership and a broad base of support. The Foundation seeks to help organizations with a proven track record of success stretch further to seize new opportunities or to meet extraordinary needs.

Generally, the Foundation prefers not to be the only funder for a project, but to participate with the community in supporting initiatives led by others. The Foundation will occasionally make leading grants when the need is great and the initiative is compelling.

Where We Fund

The Foundation’s grantmaking is generally limited to organizations located and operating in metro Atlanta. We will occasionally consider grants to significant institutions and initiatives in communities throughout Georgia.

What We Fund

The Foundation makes grants to qualified nonprofit organizations. Grants are typically awarded for capital needs or other initiatives of well-established charitable organizations in the following program areas: Successful grant applicants share these characteristics:
  • Strong executive and volunteer leadership
  • Track record of sustainable operations
  • Broad base of financial support
  • Proven program effectiveness

What We Do Not Fund

  • Organizations that do not have 501(c)(3) status
  • Organizations without a presence in Georgia
  • Human services outside of metro Atlanta
  • Churches or their denominational programs
  • Conferences
  • Debt relief
  • Endowments
  • Festivals, performances or exhibits
  • Films or documentaries
  • Fundraising events
  • Individuals
  • Individual public schools
  • Individual research projects
  • Loans
  • Political campaigns or lobbying activities
  • Professional associations
  • Private schools outside of metro Atlanta
  • Sponsorships or special events
  • Startup organizations or seed funding