Joseph B Whitehead Foundation
Historical FunderAtlanta, Georgia · EIN 58-6001954 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2025)$76.1M
Organizations funded41
Typical grant$450,000
Total assets$2.2B
Half of its grants to organizations were between $200,000 and $1,000,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2025):
| Contact | Erik S Johnson President |
|---|---|
| Address | 191 Peachtree St Suite 3540, Atlanta GA 30303 |
| Phone | 4045226755 |
| Form and materials | 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. |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
4% of grants went outside Georgia.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Way of Greater Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | Priority initiatives of Smart Start to improve the quality and accessibility of early childhood education in metro Atlanta. | $15,939,786 |
| Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | For the Joseph B. Whitehead Fund to support Achieve Atlanta, an initiative to improve the postsecondary success of students in Atlanta… | $15,000,003 |
| Partners for HOME | Atlanta, GA | Support of citywide strategy to develop new housing units and scale services for the homeless. | $12,000,000 |
| Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | For the Joseph B. Whitehead Child Well-Being Fund. | $7,500,002 |
| United Way of Greater Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | Priority initiatives of the Regional Commission on Homelessness. | $5,000,000 |
| Atlanta Community Food Bank | East Point, GA | Support of capacity-building needs to meet increased demand for food assistance. | $2,100,000 |
| Atlanta Community Food Bank | East Point, GA | $19.3 million campaign to expand food distribution capacity with capital and technology updates. | $2,000,030 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | Operating support. | $2,000,000 |
| Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | Support of Learn4Life's Atlanta Vision Project to provide vision care for elementary school students in metro Atlanta. | $1,500,000 |
| Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement | Duluth, GA | Operating support for organization working to improve K-12 public education through leadership development. | $1,000,000 |
| Hope Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | Expansion of behavioral healthcare services as part of $10 million campaign. | $1,000,000 |
| The Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | $6.5 million campaign to acquire, renovate and equip a warehouse for organization providing furniture to people in need. | $1,000,000 |
| Georgia Family Connection Partnership | Atlanta, GA | Support of statewide network ($700,000) and dropout prevention cohort ($250,000). | $950,000 |
| Communities in Schools of Georgia | Atlanta, GA | Operating support for CISGA, which works to improve students' academic performance and reduce dropout rates. | $850,000 |
| Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education | Atlanta, GA | Operating support for organization working to improve K-12 public education through research and public policy. | $675,000 |
| Georgia CASA | Atlanta, GA | Operating support for organization providing advocates for children in foster care. | $600,000 |
| Teach For America - Metro Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | Support for the recruitment, training and placement of corps members in metro Atlanta schools. | $550,000 |
| Chris 180 | Atlanta, GA | Support to expand and retain therapist workforce. | $500,000 |
| Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential | Atlanta, GA | Implementation of strategic plan to improve adolescent health outcomes. | $500,000 |
| Junior Achievement of Georgia | Atlanta, GA | Establishment of the JA Discovery Center in Clayton County. | $500,000 |
| Horizons Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | Addition of kindergarten cohorts for academic enrichment program. | $450,000 |
| Bethany Christian Services | Morrow, GA | $5.75 million campaign to establish a permanent home for transitional foster care program and Atlanta offices. | $400,000 |
| Center for the Visually Impaired | Atlanta, GA | Implementation of strategic plan to strengthen and improve services for the visually impaired. | $400,000 |
| Voices for Georgia's Children | Atlanta, GA | Support of operations ($250,000) and the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network ($100,000). | $350,000 |
| Georgia State University Research Foundation | Atlanta, GA | 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 | Sandy Springs, GA | Support of summer program expansion. | $300,000 |
| Neighborhood Meals on Wheels | Norcross, GA | $1.5 million campaign to construct a new kitchen to expand services for seniors in Gwinnett County. | $300,000 |
| The Warrior Alliance | Atlanta, GA | Capital costs associated with expanding services for Georgia veterans. | $300,000 |
| The Kindezi Schools | Atlanta, GA | Implementation of STEAM certification for public charter school network. | $250,000 |
| Communities in Schools of Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | Expansion of dropout prevention program in Atlanta Public Schools. | $230,000 |
| Georgia State University Research Foundation | Atlanta, GA | Expansion of ARCHI Community Resource Hubs to nine new sites to improve access to health and social services. | $200,000 |
| The Leadership Academy | New York City, NY | Expansion of leadership development program within Atlanta Public Schools. | $200,000 |
| The Posse Foundation | Atlanta, GA | Support of program to recruit metro Atlanta high school students to attend selective colleges on full scholarships. | $200,000 |
| LaAmistad | Atlanta, GA | Support to expand early learning programs, add math and reading coordinators, and improve data systems. | $195,000 |
| America's Promise Alliance | Washington, DC | Launch of Atlanta Alliance to build capacity and collaboration across youth-serving organizations. | $150,000 |
| DDD Foundation Inc | Atlanta, GA | Expansion of dental clinic serving patients with developmental disabilities. | $150,000 |
| Next Generation Men & Women | Atlanta, GA | Expansion of college and career readiness program in metro Atlanta. | $150,000 |
| ArtsNOW | Atlanta, GA | Expansion of SmART Literacy initiative to improve K-3 literacy through arts integration at four metro Atlanta schools. | $145,000 |
| Helping Mamas | Norcross, GA | 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 | Marietta, GA | Capital improvements to expand transitional living program for youth. | $100,000 |
| Ventures ATL | Atlanta, GA | Support to expand employment opportunities for individuals with autism and other developmental differences. | $100,000 |
Grants approved for future payment
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christian City | Union City, GA | $18.2 million campaign to construct an early learning center, expand housing for transition-age foster youth, and make campus improvements. | $1,500,000 |
| Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | Support of Learn4Life's Atlanta Vision Project to provide vision care for elementary school students in metro Atlanta. | $1,500,000 |
| Georgia Justice Project | Atlanta, GA | $6.8 million campaign to acquire and renovate a new facility for organization providing legal and social services. | $750,000 |
| Hope Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | Expansion of behavioral healthcare services as part of $10 million campaign. | $750,000 |
| Chris 180 | Atlanta, GA | Support to expand and retain therapist workforce. | $500,000 |
| The Leadership Academy | New York City, NY | Expansion of leadership development program within Atlanta Public Schools. | $200,000 |
| America's Promise Alliance | Washington, DC | Launch of Atlanta Alliance to build capacity and collaboration across youth-serving organizations. | $100,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $76,134,821 | 48 |
| 2024 | $87,085,069 | 49 |
| 2023 | $103,833,578 | 58 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed May 14, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202631349349101643
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 58-6001954
- Profile updated Nov 4, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.