Chestnut Family Foundation
The Chestnut Family Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation established in 2017 and based in Atlanta, Georgia. The foundation invests in the lives of children through access to the arts, health, and education, partnering with nonprofits that demonstrate compassion and creativity in improving outcomes for young people.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$289.3M
+4.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$20.0M
+20.9% YoY
Grant Count
33
+43.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$606K
-15.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Chestnut Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $14.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is: "All children should have access to resources that enable them to be healthy, develop self-confidence, and enjoy life."
Primary funding areas include:
- Arts & Performing Arts: Access to performing arts and arts education for children
- Pediatric Health: Programs supporting children's health and wellness
- Early Childhood Education: Educational initiatives for young children
- Human Services: Organizations serving children and families
The foundation emphasizes building confidence in children as a driving force behind its grantmaking strategy.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Inquiries are made via a contact form on the foundation's website.
Grant Range
$10,000 to $5,000,000
Grant Types
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Georgia, with a particular emphasis on the Greater Atlanta area. Limited giving occurs outside Georgia.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Giving (2024):
- Total assets: $289,275,635
- Total revenues: $39,124,507
- Total expenses: $20,985,160
- Total giving: $20,000,300
Assets & Giving (2023):
- Total assets: $277,000,000
- Total revenues: $37,600,000
- Total expenses: $17,300,000
- Annual giving: $16,500,000
Liabilities: $0 (2023)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $289,275,635 | $277,309,851 | $262,849,934 |
| Revenue | $39,124,507 | $37,639,346 | $-15,341,006 |
| Expenses | $20,985,160 | $17,291,137 | $8,503,385 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $20,003,063 | $16,548,525 | $8,016,495 |
| Net Investment Income | $18,468,917 | $8,874,371 | $1,213,691 |
| Distributable Amount | $14,338,096 | $11,260,703 | $3,902,458 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
109 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Galloway School Inc ($5,000,000), Join Together Society America ($3,200,000), Ayn Rand Institute ($2,500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARTSNOW ATLANTA, GA | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION | $1,100,000 |
| ATLANTA ANGELS ALPHARETTA, GA | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION | $225,000 |
| ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT ATLANTA, GA | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION | $870,000 |
| AYN RAND INSTITUTE SANTA ANA, CA | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION | $2,500,000 |
| BAY HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION PANAMA CITY, FL | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION | $40,000 |
| BEARINGS BIKE ATLANTA, GA | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION | $100,000 |
| BRAG DREAM TEAM INC ATLANTA, GA | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION | $50,000 |
| C5 GEORGIA YOUTH FOUNDATION OF GEORGIA ATLANTA, GA | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION | $100,000 |
| CHASTAIN HORSE PARK ATLANTA, GA | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION | $150,000 |
| CITY OF REFUGE ATLANTA, GA | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION | $200,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founders:
- Teresa Chestnut: Former pediatric nurse at Hughes Spalding Hospital in Atlanta
- Ben Chestnut: Co-founder and former CEO of MailChimp, a global software company
The Chestnuts reside in Atlanta with their two sons.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BENJAMIN L CHESTNUT | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| TERESA K CHESTNUT | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 1355 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1450, Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: (404) 256-1606
Website: chestnutfamily.foundation
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Chestnut Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is: "All children should have access to resources that enable them to be healthy, develop self-confidence, and enjoy life." Primary funding areas include: • **Arts & Performing Arts**: Access to performing arts and arts education for children • **Pediatric Health**: Programs supporting children's health and wellness • **Early Childhood Education**: Educational initiatives for young children • **Human Services**: Organizations serving children and families The foundation…
How do I apply for a grant from Chestnut Family Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Grant range: $10,000 to $5,000,000 • Median grant: $155,000 • Annual number of grants: 22-23 grants per year • Most grants are under $3 million **Grant Types:** • Capital campaigns for facility expansions ($500,000–$2,000,000 range) • Program support and general operating grants • Multi-year commitments **Recent Grants:** • $5,000,000 to The Galloway Schools (2024) • $3,200,000 to Join Together Society America (2024) • $2,500,000 to The Ayn Rand Institute The Center…
Where does Chestnut Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Georgia, with a particular emphasis on the Greater Atlanta area. Limited giving occurs outside Georgia.
What size grants does Chestnut Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Chestnut Family Foundation awarded 33 grants totaling $20.0M — an average of about $606K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Chestnut Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Chestnut Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $14.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Chestnut Family Foundation's EIN?
Chestnut Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-4986125. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Chestnut Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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