Robert W Woodruff Foundation Inc
Accepts applications
Robert W Woodruff Foundation Inc is a private foundation in Atlanta, Georgia. In tax year 2025 it gave $190 million in 26 grants; the typical grant was $1.5 million and the largest $90.0 million. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$190 million
- Number of grants26
- Typical grant$1.5 million
- Largest grant$90.0 million
- Assets$4.6 billion
- New grantees61%
Giving in 2025 was up from $182 million the year before.
61% 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 | $190 million | 30 | $3.9 billion |
| 2024 | $182 million | 30 | $4.2 billion |
| 2025 | $190 million | 26 | $4.6 billion |
How to apply
| Contact | Erik S Johnson President 191 Peachtree St NE 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 | Grant applications are considered in April and November for requests received by Feb. 1 and Aug. 15. |
| Restrictions | Grants generally are limited to tax-exempt charities and selected governmental agencies located and operating in Georgia, with most grants awarded to organizations in Atlanta. Grants to qualified public charities headquartered outside Georgia occasionally are considered when it is demonstrated that the proposed project will have particular impact in Georgia and fits within the program interests of the Foundation. These interests are focused on the following program areas: - Elementary, secondary and higher education - Health care and education - Human services, particularly for children and youth - Economic development and civic affairs - Art and cultural activities - Conservation of natural resources and environmental education. Grants for regular operating expenses are avoided. No grants are made to individuals. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Robert W Woodruff Foundation Inc funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 4 states, the most to Georgia.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 23 | $185 million |
| Virginia | 1 | $5.0 million |
| California | 1 | $350,000 |
| New York | 1 | $100,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Emory University | Acquisition of the former Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston campus. | $90.0 million |
| Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta | Development of Georgia State University's Panther Quad and associated improvements from 100 Edgewood to Woodruff Park. | $20.0 million |
| Atlanta Area Council Scouting America | $49.1 million campaign to develop Woodruff Scout Camp into a premier destination. | $15.5 million |
| Ichauway Incorporated | 2025 capital and operating needs. | $13.1 million |
| Atlanta Beltline Partnership | Completion of the 22-mile trail corridor loop ($75 million) and support for the Legacy Resident Retention Program ($2.5 million) and Partnership operations ($2.5 million). | $12.3 million |
| National Center for Civil and Human Rights | Campaign to expand the museum with two new wings. | $8.5 million |
| Atlanta Fulton County Zoo | Renovation of giant panda habitat to meet conservation standards and enhance guests' experience. | $6.0 million |
| The Conservation Fund | Acquisition of 7,764-acre Twin Pines property adjacent to the Okefenokee Swamp. | $5.0 million |
| Fernbank Inc | Construction of new exhibits, galleries and accessibility projects as part of $25 million campaign. | $4.0 million |
| Georgia Cities Foundation | Support of a revolving loan fund for downtown development projects in small Georgia cities. | $2.5 million |
| Emory University | Support of the Rollins Epidemiology Fellowship program. | $2.0 million |
| Emory University | Support to expand the nurse residency program at Emory Healthcare ($5 million) and pilot a nurse fellowship program at Emory's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing ($3.5 million). | $2.0 million |
| Park Pride | Support of the Legacy Grant Program to provide grants for park improvement projects. | $2.0 million |
| Chastain Park Conservancy | Development of Northside Youth Organization facilities. | $1.0 million |
| Chattahoochee Nature Center | $9.8 million campaign for capital improvements to expand environmental education programs. | $1.0 million |
| Greater Atlanta Chamber Foundation | Support of Downtown Reimagined initiative. | $1.0 million |
| National Infantry Museum Foundation | Support of technology upgrades to enhance visitors' experience as part of $15 million campaign. | $1.0 million |
| Capacity Inc | Support of streetscape improvements in downtown Atlanta. | $775,000 |
| National Center for Civil and Human Rights | Support of marketing and communications to promote the expanded museum. | $750,000 |
| Furkids | $14.5 million campaign to complete shelters for animal rescue organization. | $500,000 |
| Georgia Center for Nonprofits | Support of operations ($350,000) and Future Forward projects ($75,000) to stabilize and strengthen nonprofits in Georgia. | $425,000 |
| Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation | Support of KFF Health News' Southern bureau to increase reporting in Georgia. | $350,000 |
| Dunwoody Nature Center | $2.5 million campaign to construct the Wildcat Creek Learning Lab. | $225,000 |
| Georgia Council on Economic Education | Support of programs to strengthen K-12 economics education in Georgia. | $200,000 |
| Candid | Support of Candid's Atlanta office. | $100,000 |
| Georgia Press Educational Foundation | Support of the Capitol Beat news service bureau to provide coverage of state government. | $75,000 |
Officers and trustees
- E Jenner Wood III
- Lawrence L Gellerstedt III
- David P Stockert
- Joseph A Arnold
- P Russell Hardin
- Erik S Johnson
- Eli P Niepoky
- Sara E Blalock
Questions people ask
Does Robert W Woodruff Foundation Inc accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Grant applications are considered in April and November for requests received by Feb. 1 and Aug. 15.
How much does Robert W Woodruff Foundation Inc give?
$190 million in tax year 2025, across 26 grants, with a typical grant of $1.5 million.
Who runs Robert W Woodruff Foundation Inc?
Its 2025 filing lists E Jenner Wood III (Trustee- Chair), Lawrence L Gellerstedt III (Trustee), David P Stockert (Trustee) and Joseph A Arnold (Trustee) among 8 officers and trustees.
What does Robert W Woodruff Foundation Inc fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, youth programs and health.