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
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Delta Air Lines Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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
**
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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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Delta Air Transport Heritage Museum Inc ($3,000,000), Delta Employee Matching Gifts to Collegesuniversities Via Bonterra ($2,088,543), Global Citizen ($1,500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE DECATUR, GA | GRANT FOR THE GLOBAL JOURNEYS INITIATIVE AND SUMMIT PROGRAM (2 OF 4) | $250,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS WASHINGTON, DC | GRANT TO THE AMERICAN RED CROSS FOR THE ANNUAL DISASTER GIVING PROGRAM TO BE PROACTIVE IN DISASTER RESPONSE INITIATIVES. | $1,000,000 |
| CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA FOUNDATION ATLANTA, GA | GRANT TO SUPPORT PATIENT ACTIVITY CENTER AT ARTHUR M. BLANK CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL (2 OF 2) | $250,000 |
| CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA FOUNDATION ATLANTA, GA | GRANT TO SUPPORT THE NEVER SETTLE CAMPAIGN WITH SUPPORT FOCUSED ON HUGHES SPALDING CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | $1,000,000 |
| DELTA AIR TRANSPORT HERITAGE MUSEUM INC ATLANTA, GA | GRANT TO SUPPORT THE RENOVATION OF THE DELTA FLIGHT MUSEUM FOR DELTA'S CENTENNIAL YEAR | $3,000,000 |
| DELTA EMPLOYEE MATCHING GIFTS TO COLLEGESUNIVERSITIES VIA BONTERRA AUSTIN, TX | MATCHING QUALIFYING GRANTS IN SUPPORT OF EDUCATION | $2,088,543 |
| DELTA EMPLOYEE MATCHING GIFTS TO COLLEGESUNIVERSITIES VIA CYBERGRANTS ANDOVER, MA | MATCHING QUALIFYING GRANTS IN SUPPORT OF EDUCATION | $1,182,172 |
| GLOBAL CITIZEN NEW YORK, NY | GRANT FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUPPORTING GLOBAL CITIZEN'S EFFORTS INVOLVING HUMAN CAPITAL, GENDER EQUALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY.( 1 OF 3) | $1,500,000 |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF GEORGIA ATLANTA, GA | GRANT TO SUPPORT THE 3DE SCHOOLS IN GEORGIA | $200,000 |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF GEORGIA CLAYTON CO ATLANTA, GA | GRANT TO SUPPORT THE JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT DISCOVERY CENTER IN CLAYTON COUNTY | $1,000,000 |
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 AviationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Delta Air Lines Foundation fund?
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.
How do I apply for a grant from Delta Air Lines Foundation?
The Foundation operates primarily through strategic partnerships and multi-year commitments rather than discrete grant programs. **Grant Characteristics:** • Grant range: $100,000 - $3,000,000 • Recent major grants have ranged within this spectrum • The Foundation structures giving through multi-year commitments **Application Process:** No public-facing website or online application portal is available for the Delta Air Lines Foundation's general grant programs. For the matching gifts program, …
Where does Delta Air Lines Foundation make 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
What size grants does Delta Air Lines Foundation award?
In 2024, Delta Air Lines Foundation awarded 22 grants totaling $18.8M — an average of about $853K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Delta Air Lines Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Delta Air Lines Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Delta Air Lines Foundation's EIN?
Delta Air Lines Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-6073119. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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