George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation
The George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation is a private foundation based in Columbus, Georgia. It makes grants to charitable organizations; its 2024 filing states that it contributes only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation at a glance
In short: George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation gave $87K across 26 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), top state Georgia. 12% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $87,000
- -30.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 26
- +4.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,346
- -33.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $1,649,281
- +9.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 12% first-time grantees (3 of 26, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Georgia (49% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 23024, Columbus, GA 31902
Phone: (706) 880-2246
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Cobb Memorial Archives ($35K). Together the top 10 received $70K.
Grant Size Distribution
125 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 124 grants of 125 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars went primarily to recipients in Georgia (49%) and Alabama (40%). Smaller shares went to Texas (6%), Virginia (3%), and Washington, DC (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
Cities
Is George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation open to new grantees?
12%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 26 grantees (12%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $1K repeat.
- 85% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+18%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 91% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $68K (2022) to $125K (2023). In 2024 it made 26 grants totaling $87K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cobb Memorial Archives Valley, AL | General Charitable Purpose | $35,000 |
| Friends of Scouting Irving, TX | General Chartiable Purpose | $5,000 |
| LaGrange College LaGrange, GA | General Charitable Purposes | $5,000 |
| West Georgia Hospice LaGrange, GA | General Charitable Purposes | $4,000 |
| Lagrange Art Museum LaGrange, GA | General Charitable Purposes | $4,000 |
| Point University West Point, GA | General Charitable Purposes | $4,000 |
| Ferst Readers Inc Madison, GA | General Charitable Purposes | $4,000 |
| WL-MAC McGrew Scholarship Lexington, VA | General Charitable Purposes | $3,000 |
| Hillside Montessori of LaGrange Inc LaGrange, GA | General Charitable Purposes | $3,000 |
| Chattahochee Riverkeepers Atlanta, GA | General Charitable Purposes | $3,000 |
Ready to take the next step with George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,649,281 | $239,383 | $101,135 | $87,000 | 26 | $87,595 | $189,616 | $96,097 |
| 2023 | $1,511,930 | $103,489 | $136,038 | $125,082 | 25 | $125,970 | $82,138 | $88,730 |
| 2022 | $1,544,510 | $58,759 | $80,148 | $67,500 | 25 | $68,375 | $30,859 | $93,082 |
| 2021 | $1,563,499 | $158,410 | $90,828 | $74,000 | 24 | $74,875 | $88,379 | $103,164 |
| 2020 | $1,493,609 | $171,995 | $101,502 | $89,579 | 25 | — | $129,505 | $72,789 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation reported a distributable amount of $96K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2024 grants include support for educational, literacy, arts, health, community, and historical organizations. For example, LaGrange College describes its mission as challenging students’ minds and inspiring their souls, while Ferst Readers says it provides books and literacy resources to prepare preschool children for reading and learning success. The LaGrange Art Museum describes its work as providing cultural enhancement through art, classes, and community projects.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave $87,000 through 26 grants. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $35,000, with a median of $1,000. The largest award was $35,000 to Cobb Memorial Archives in Valley, Alabama. Other notable grants included $5,000 each to Friends of Scouting and LaGrange College, and $4,000 each to West Georgia Hospice, LaGrange Art Museum, Point University, and Ferst Readers.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists William D Smith Jr as Chairman; David Zim Cauble as Emeritus Chair; Sue Cauble Robinson and Virginia S Walker as Board Members; Wayne Hadden as Secretary; and Synovus Trust Company NA as Agent/Advisor.
George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation is led by William D Smith Jr., Chairman since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 6 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
William D Smith Jr.
Chairman
Vice President → Chairman, 2021
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Synovus Trust Company NA
Agent & Advisor
On filings since 2020
$9K (2020) → $11K (2024)
Wayne Hadden
Secretary
On filings since 2020
$1K (2021) → $0 (2024)
David Zim Cauble
Emeritus Chair
Chairman → Emeritus Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Sue Cauble Robinson
Board Member
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Virginia S Walker
Board Member
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $11K, to Synovus Trust Company NA (Agent/Advisor).
Frequently asked questions about George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation
How much does George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation give each year?
George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation gave $87K across 26 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $125K across 25 grants.
What is George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation's typical grant size?
George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,000, and its average grant was $3,346, across 26 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation that year got $1K on average.
Where does George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation give grants?
George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation's top state is Georgia, with 49% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Alabama (40%) and Texas (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Lagrange, GA (10 grants), Atlanta, GA (5 grants) and West Point, GA (3 grants).
Does George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (26 of 26) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation's largest grantees?
George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Cobb Memorial Archives ($35,000), Friends of Scouting ($5,000) and LaGrange College ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation?
George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation reported $1.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $88K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $96K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2024 grants include support for educational, literacy, arts, health, community, and historical organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation's EIN?
George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-0631270. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/george-s-and-edna-l-cobb-foundation-morg_c8629111c7834e9baee1aad54d6b9482
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_580631270_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{George S \& Edna L Cobb Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/george-s-and-edna-l-cobb-foundation-morg_c8629111c7834e9baee1aad54d6b9482},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-23. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from George S & Edna L Cobb Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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