Delta Air Lines Foundation
The Delta Air Lines Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation established in 1968 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. It serves as the philanthropic arm of Delta Air Lines, supporting nonprofit organizations across the United States. The Foundation has awarded more than $130 million in grants to nonprofit organizations over the past decade.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$22.6M
+1.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$18.8M
+51.3% YoY
Grant Count
22
+10.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$853K
+37.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation focuses its charitable giving on four strategic pillars:
- Environment
- Equity
- Education
- Entire Wellness
The Foundation supports education and health and wellness activities in cities where Delta operates and where its employees live and work.
Grantmaking
The Foundation operates primarily through strategic partnerships and multi-year commitments rather than discrete grant programs.
Grant Range
$100,000 - $3,000,000
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Delta Air Lines Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation prioritizes national giving with particular focus on Delta hub cities and communities where Delta operates, including:
- Atlanta
- Detroit
- Minneapolis
- Salt Lake City
- Seattle
- Boston
- New York
- Los Angeles
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2023):
- Revenue: $13.9 million
- Expenses: $12.6 million
- Total Assets: $22.4 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
Annual Giving:
- 2024 combined giving (Delta Air Lines and Foundation): $63 million
Commitment to Giving: In 2016, Delta CEO Ed Bastian announced that Delta would contribute 1% of its annual net income to charitable organizations, describing it as "our version of profit sharing for our community."
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $22,599,874 | $22,368,129 | $21,057,040 |
| Revenue | $19,227,713 | $13,927,826 | $11,760,346 |
| Expenses | $18,995,968 | $12,624,788 | $11,586,977 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $18,894,555 | $12,558,711 | $11,522,569 |
| Net Investment Income | $673,900 | $263,623 | $49,837 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,445,839 | $1,376,107 | $1,212,933 |
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
110 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Peter Carter serves as Chief External Affairs Officer and trustee of The Delta Air Lines Foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIMOTHY W MAPES | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| ALICIA TILLMAN | SVP | 1 | — |
| TAD HUTCHESON | SR. VICE PRESIDENT | 4 | — |
| QUINNIE JENKINS | VICE PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| RACHEL WEITZ | VICE PRESIDENT - SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| KIRK WILLINGHAM | VICE PRESIDENT - TREASURER | 1 | — |
| EDWARD H BASTIAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ALAIN BELLEMARE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ALLISON AUSBAND | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JOANNE D SMITH | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| HENRY TING | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| RAHUL D SAMANT | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JOHN LAUGHTER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DAN JANKI | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| GLEN W HAUENSTEIN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| PETER W CARTER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| STEVE SEAR | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MIKE SPANOS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Clayton County Initiative (2025):**
Delta Air Lines and The Delta Air Lines Foundation announced more than $16.5 million in charitable support over five years to Clayton County, Georgia. This includes:
Delta Air Lines and The Delta Air Lines Foundation to invest ...$13.5 million in Foundation grants supporting Clayton County Public Schools through a new Junior Achievement Discovery Center, the Flint River Boys and Girls Club, and aviation career scholarships
Delta Air Lines Foundation Supports Clayton County Dual Enrollment Aviation$2.5 million grant to support a dual enrollment aviation program for Clayton County students
Delta Air Lines Foundation Supports Clayton County Dual Enrollment Aviation$3 million in Delta Air Lines charitable contributions for workforce development and economic competitiveness initiatives
Delta Air Lines and The Delta Air Lines Foundation to invest ...**Educational Partnerships:**
The Foundation has provided major gifts to support aviation scholarships and programs, including funding for Middle Georgia State University's aviation scholarship initiatives.
Delta Air Lines Foundation Supports Clayton County Dual Enrollment AviationRelated Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Rhedcloud Foundation Inc
DECATUR, GA
Assets
$6K
Grants
1
Total Given
$13K
Atlanta Committee for Progress Inc
ATLANTA, GA
Assets
$2.1M
Grants
1
Total Given
$15K
Atlanta Postal Credit Union
ATLANTA, GA
Assets
$2.4B
Grants
4
Total Given
$308K
Justice for Children Foundation Inc
SAVANNAH, GA
Assets
$24K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Southeast Area Blood Bankers
PEACHTREE CITY, GA
Assets
$33K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Courts Foundation Inc
ATLANTA, GA
Assets
$38.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$1.6M
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Delta Air Lines Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities