Robert W Woodruff Foundation Inc
Historical FunderAtlanta, Georgia · EIN 58-1695425 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2025)$190.3M
Organizations funded26
Typical grant$1,000,000
Total assets$4.6B
Half of its grants to organizations were between $500,000 and $6,000,000.
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 NE 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 | 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. |
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
11% of grants went outside Georgia.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emory University | Atlanta, GA | Acquisition of the former Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston campus. | $90,000,025 |
| Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | Development of Georgia State University's Panther Quad and associated improvements from 100 Edgewood to Woodruff Park. | $20,000,052 |
| Atlanta Area Council Scouting America | Atlanta, GA | $49.1 million campaign to develop Woodruff Scout Camp into a premier destination. | $15,500,000 |
| Ichauway Incorporated | Newton, GA | 2025 capital and operating needs. | $13,100,000 |
| Atlanta Beltline Partnership | Atlanta, GA | Completion of the 22-mile trail corridor loop ($75 million) and support for the Legacy Resident Retention Program ($2.5 million) and… | $12,310,068 |
| National Center for Civil and Human Rights | Atlanta, GA | Campaign to expand the museum with two new wings. | $8,500,000 |
| Atlanta Fulton County Zoo | Atlanta, GA | Renovation of giant panda habitat to meet conservation standards and enhance guests' experience. | $6,000,000 |
| The Conservation Fund | Arlington, VA | Acquisition of 7,764-acre Twin Pines property adjacent to the Okefenokee Swamp. | $5,000,000 |
| Fernbank Inc | Atlanta, GA | Construction of new exhibits, galleries and accessibility projects as part of $25 million campaign. | $4,000,000 |
| Georgia Cities Foundation | Atlanta, GA | Support of a revolving loan fund for downtown development projects in small Georgia cities. | $2,500,000 |
| Emory University | Atlanta, GA | Support of the Rollins Epidemiology Fellowship program. | $2,000,000 |
| Emory University | Atlanta, GA | Support to expand the nurse residency program at Emory Healthcare ($5 million) and pilot a nurse fellowship program at Emory's Nell Hodgson… | $2,000,000 |
| Park Pride | Atlanta, GA | Support of the Legacy Grant Program to provide grants for park improvement projects. | $2,000,000 |
| Chastain Park Conservancy | Atlanta, GA | Development of Northside Youth Organization facilities. | $1,000,000 |
| Chattahoochee Nature Center | Roswell, GA | $9.8 million campaign for capital improvements to expand environmental education programs. | $1,000,000 |
| Greater Atlanta Chamber Foundation | Atlanta, GA | Support of Downtown Reimagined initiative. | $1,000,000 |
| National Infantry Museum Foundation | Columbus, GA | Support of technology upgrades to enhance visitors' experience as part of $15 million campaign. | $1,000,000 |
| Capacity Inc | Atlanta, GA | Support of streetscape improvements in downtown Atlanta. | $775,000 |
| National Center for Civil and Human Rights | Atlanta, GA | Support of marketing and communications to promote the expanded museum. | $750,000 |
| Furkids | Cumming, GA | $14.5 million campaign to complete shelters for animal rescue organization. | $500,000 |
| Georgia Center for Nonprofits | Atlanta, GA | 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 | San Francisco, CA | Support of KFF Health News' Southern bureau to increase reporting in Georgia. | $350,000 |
| Dunwoody Nature Center | Dunwoody, GA | $2.5 million campaign to construct the Wildcat Creek Learning Lab. | $225,000 |
| Georgia Council on Economic Education | Atlanta, GA | Support of programs to strengthen K-12 economics education in Georgia. | $200,000 |
| Candid | New York, NY | Support of Candid's Atlanta office. | $100,000 |
| Georgia Press Educational Foundation | Marietta, GA | Support of the Capitol Beat news service bureau to provide coverage of state government. | $75,000 |
Grants approved for future payment
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer University | Macon, GA | $75 million campaign to relocate the School of Medicine to a new facility in downtown Macon. | $25,000,000 |
| Ichauway Incorporated | Newton, GA | 2026 capital and operating needs. | $13,700,000 |
| Atlanta Area Council Scouting America | Atlanta, GA | $49.1 million campaign to develop Woodruff Scout Camp into a premier destination. | $13,000,000 |
| Augusta University | Augusta, GA | $146 million campaign to construct the Translational Research Building. | $8,000,000 |
| Park Pride | Atlanta, GA | Support of the Legacy Grant Program to provide grants for park improvement projects. | $2,000,000 |
| Chastain Park Conservancy | Atlanta, GA | Development of Chastain Park greenspace. | $1,500,000 |
| Chattahoochee Nature Center | Roswell, GA | $9.8 million campaign for capital improvements to expand environmental education programs. | $1,500,000 |
| Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation | San Francisco, CA | Support of KFF Health News' Southern bureau to increase reporting in Georgia. | $350,000 |
| Capacity Inc | Atlanta, GA | Support of streetscape improvements to downtown Atlanta. | $250,000 |
| Georgia Press Educational Foundation | Marietta, GA | Support of the Capitol Beat news service bureau to provide coverage of state government. | $75,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $190,310,145 | 36 |
| 2024 | $182,298,294 | 37 |
| 2023 | $189,635,270 | 41 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed May 14, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202611349349102421
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 58-1695425
- 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.