Joseph B Whitehead Foundation
Accepts applications
Joseph B Whitehead Foundation is a private foundation in Atlanta, Georgia. In tax year 2025 it gave $76.1 million in 41 grants; the typical grant was $450,000 and the largest $15.9 million. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$76.1 million
- Number of grants41
- Typical grant$450,000
- Largest grant$15.9 million
- Assets$2.2 billion
- New grantees50%
Giving in 2025 was down from $87.1 million the year before.
50% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $104 million | 47 | $1.8 billion |
| 2024 | $87.1 million | 42 | $1.9 billion |
| 2025 | $76.1 million | 41 | $2.2 billion |
How to apply
| Contact | Erik S Johnson President 191 Peachtree St Suite 3540, Atlanta, GA 30303 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (404) 522-6755 |
| What to submit | Application form not required. Proposals should be submitted via the Foundation's online application portal on its website. Before submitting a formal grant request, prospective grantees are encouraged to submit an informal inquiry to fdns@woodruff.org. The grant request should be made in letter form and include the following information: - A description of the organization, its purposes, programs, staffing and governing board - The organization's latest financial statements including the most recent audit report - A description of the proposed project and full justification for its funding - An itemized project budget, including other sources of support in hand or anticipated - Evidence from the IRS of the organization's tax-exempt status and that the applying organization itself is not a private foundation. |
| Deadlines | Grants are considered in April and November for requests received by February 1 and August 15. |
| Restrictions | Grants are made to public charities that provide a full range of basic human services to citizens of metropolitan Atlanta. The Foundation has a particular interest in supporting organizations that serve children and youth. In recent years, the Foundation has concentrated a significant portion of its giving on improving the quality and accessibility of early childhood development programs in metro Atlanta, on increasing literacy rates, and on boosting college enrollment and graduation rates for Atlanta Public Schools graduates. Grants are reserved for well-established public charities with a broad base of community support. The Foundation provides support for capital projects and programmatic expenses. No grants are made to individuals. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Joseph B Whitehead Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 3 states, the most to Georgia.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 39 | $75.8 million |
| New York | 1 | $200,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $150,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| United Way of Greater Atlanta | Priority initiatives of Smart Start to improve the quality and accessibility of early childhood education in metro Atlanta. | $15.9 million |
| Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta | For the Joseph B. Whitehead Fund to support Achieve Atlanta, an initiative to improve the postsecondary success of students in Atlanta Public Schools. | $15.0 million |
| Partners for HOME | Support of citywide strategy to develop new housing units and scale services for the homeless. | $12.0 million |
| Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta | For the Joseph B. Whitehead Child Well-Being Fund. | $7.5 million |
| United Way of Greater Atlanta | Priority initiatives of the Regional Commission on Homelessness. | $5.0 million |
| Atlanta Community Food Bank | Support of capacity-building needs to meet increased demand for food assistance. | $2.1 million |
| Atlanta Community Food Bank | $19.3 million campaign to expand food distribution capacity with capital and technology updates. | $2.0 million |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta | Operating support. | $2.0 million |
| Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta | Support of Learn4Life's Atlanta Vision Project to provide vision care for elementary school students in metro Atlanta. | $1.5 million |
| Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement | Operating support for organization working to improve K-12 public education through leadership development. | $1.0 million |
| Hope Atlanta | Expansion of behavioral healthcare services as part of $10 million campaign. | $1.0 million |
| The Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta | $6.5 million campaign to acquire, renovate and equip a warehouse for organization providing furniture to people in need. | $1.0 million |
| Georgia Family Connection Partnership | Support of statewide network ($700,000) and dropout prevention cohort ($250,000). | $950,000 |
| Communities in Schools of Georgia | Operating support for CISGA, which works to improve students' academic performance and reduce dropout rates. | $850,000 |
| Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education | Operating support for organization working to improve K-12 public education through research and public policy. | $675,000 |
| Georgia CASA | Operating support for organization providing advocates for children in foster care. | $600,000 |
| Teach For America - Metro Atlanta | Support for the recruitment, training and placement of corps members in metro Atlanta schools. | $550,000 |
| Chris 180 | Support to expand and retain therapist workforce. | $500,000 |
| Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential | Implementation of strategic plan to improve adolescent health outcomes. | $500,000 |
| Junior Achievement of Georgia | Establishment of the JA Discovery Center in Clayton County. | $500,000 |
| Horizons Atlanta | Addition of kindergarten cohorts for academic enrichment program. | $450,000 |
| Bethany Christian Services | $5.75 million campaign to establish a permanent home for transitional foster care program and Atlanta offices. | $400,000 |
| Center for the Visually Impaired | Implementation of strategic plan to strengthen and improve services for the visually impaired. | $400,000 |
| Voices for Georgia's Children | Support of operations ($250,000) and the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network ($100,000). | $350,000 |
| Georgia State University Research Foundation | Support for the After-School All-Stars program and summer academy at Sylvan Hills Middle School and Hollis Innovation Academy. | $300,000 |
| Los Ninos Primero | Support of summer program expansion. | $300,000 |
| Neighborhood Meals on Wheels | $1.5 million campaign to construct a new kitchen to expand services for seniors in Gwinnett County. | $300,000 |
| The Warrior Alliance | Capital costs associated with expanding services for Georgia veterans. | $300,000 |
| The Kindezi Schools | Implementation of STEAM certification for public charter school network. | $250,000 |
| Communities in Schools of Atlanta | Expansion of dropout prevention program in Atlanta Public Schools. | $230,000 |
| Georgia State University Research Foundation | Expansion of ARCHI Community Resource Hubs to nine new sites to improve access to health and social services. | $200,000 |
| The Leadership Academy | Expansion of leadership development program within Atlanta Public Schools. | $200,000 |
| The Posse Foundation | Support of program to recruit metro Atlanta high school students to attend selective colleges on full scholarships. | $200,000 |
| LaAmistad | Support to expand early learning programs, add math and reading coordinators, and improve data systems. | $195,000 |
| America's Promise Alliance | Launch of Atlanta Alliance to build capacity and collaboration across youth-serving organizations. | $150,000 |
| DDD Foundation Inc | Expansion of dental clinic serving patients with developmental disabilities. | $150,000 |
| Next Generation Men & Women | Expansion of college and career readiness program in metro Atlanta. | $150,000 |
| ArtsNOW | Expansion of SmART Literacy initiative to improve K-3 literacy through arts integration at four metro Atlanta schools. | $145,000 |
| Helping Mamas | Relocation to a larger facility to expand distribution of essential baby supplies and hygiene products to families in crisis. | $100,000 |
| The Center for Children & Young Adults | Capital improvements to expand transitional living program for youth. | $100,000 |
Officers and trustees
- E Jenner Wood III
- Lawrence L Gellerstedt III
- Joseph A Arnold
- P Russell Hardin
- Erik S Johnson
- Eli P Niepoky
- Sara E Blalock
Questions people ask
Does Joseph B Whitehead Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Grants are considered in April and November for requests received by February 1 and August 15.
How much does Joseph B Whitehead Foundation give?
$76.1 million in tax year 2025, across 41 grants, with a typical grant of $450,000.
Who runs Joseph B Whitehead Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists E Jenner Wood III (Trustee- Chair), Lawrence L Gellerstedt III (Trustee), Joseph A Arnold (Trustee) and P Russell Hardin (President - retired 1/31/2025) among 7 officers and trustees.
What does Joseph B Whitehead Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, community development and human services.