The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation is a private, independent foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life in Georgia. It achieves this by funding nonprofit organizations working in health, education, economic opportunity, and community vitality.
The Foundation typically provides grants for capital needs or strategic initiatives led by well-established charitable organizations. Its funding supports a variety of program areas, including health, education, environment, human services, arts and culture, and community development.
Organizations that are successful in receiving grants from the Foundation usually demonstrate strong executive and volunteer leadership, a history of sustainable operations, broad financial support, and proven effectiveness in delivering results.
The Foundation only considers funding for organizations that are located in and operating within Georgia. Most grants are awarded to nonprofits based in metro Atlanta. Human services funding is limited strictly to the metro Atlanta region, which includes Butts, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, and Rockdale counties, as defined by the United Way of Greater Atlanta.
Occasionally, the Foundation may consider grants for major institutions and statewide initiatives outside the metro Atlanta area, but these are exceptions rather than the rule.
To be eligible, an organization must be a 501(c)(3) public charity, have a physical presence in Georgia, maintain full-time paid staff, and operate with an annual budget of more than $500,000.
The Foundation does not fund organizations without 501(c)(3) status or those without a Georgia presence. It also does not support human services outside of metro Atlanta, nor does it fund churches, denominational programs, conferences, endowments, debt relief, festivals, performances, films, documentaries, fundraising events, individuals, research projects, loans, political or lobbying activities, professional associations, private schools outside metro Atlanta, sponsorships, special events, or startup organizations.
The deadline to apply for funding is August 15, 2025.
For more information, visit Robert W. Woodruff Foundation.
