James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc
The James M. Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc is a private foundation based in Atlanta, Georgia, and the charitable foundation associated with Cox Enterprises. It directs support to capital campaigns—including building construction and renovations—and special projects such as program expansions and capacity-building efforts.
James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc at a glance
In short: James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc gave $42.6M across 101 grants in 2024 (avg $422K), mostly in Georgia. 66% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $42,648,000
- +6.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 101
- +18.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $422,257
- -10.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $976,844,351
- +23.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 66% first-time grantees (63 of 95, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Georgia (88% 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 James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation accepts applications online and does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Applications must be submitted through its online portal; the Foundation may request additional information or a site visit. Applicants must consult the Foundation’s application information for materials and eligibility restrictions. The grant program states that applicants must be U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations in areas where Cox Enterprises or a subsidiary does business. Applicants outside metropolitan Atlanta must include an endorsement letter from a regional manager or equivalent leader at the local Cox business.
- Review Cycle
- February 15, June 15, and October 15.
- Deadline
- February 15, June 15, and October 15.
- Contact
Application contact: Applications Are Only Accepted Onli
Mailing address: 6205-A Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30328
Phone: (678) 645-4659
Website: https://www.coxfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc
Who James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Atlanta Beltline Partnership ($5.2M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $28.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
469 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 161 grants of 469 (34%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s grantmaking is concentrated in Georgia: 88% of 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in the state. Other reported recipient states were Arizona (3%), Florida (2%), California (1%), and North Carolina (1%). The grant program states that organizations must be located in the United States and in an area where Cox Enterprises or a subsidiary does business.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 101 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc open to new grantees?
66%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 63 of 95 grantees (66%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $173K; repeat grants $992K. How we count
Medians: $100K first-time, $200K repeat.
- 24% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 26% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 87% 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 $30.6M (2020) to $42.8M (2022). In 2024 it made 101 grants totaling $42.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Botanical Garden Atlanta, GA | Capital Campaign Support | $5,000,000 |
| Atlanta Police Foundation Atlanta, GA | Special Project Support | $5,000,000 |
| Atlanta Beltline Partnership Atlanta, GA | Capital Campaign Support | $4,150,000 |
| Atlanta Speech School Atlanta, GA | Special Project Support | $2,000,000 |
| Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Atlanta, GA | Capital Campaign Support | $2,000,000 |
| Shepherd Center Foundation Atlanta, GA | Capital Campaign Support | $2,000,000 |
| The Henry W Grady Health System Foundation Inc Atlanta, GA | Capital Campaign Support | $2,000,000 |
| Path Foundation Inc Atlanta, GA | Capital Campaign Support | $1,500,000 |
| Food Well Alliance Atlanta, GA | Special Project Support | $1,100,000 |
| Atlanta Beltline Partnership Atlanta, GA | Capital Campaign Support | $1,000,000 |
Ready to take the next step with James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc?
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 | $976,844,351 | $231,859,375 | $49,447,955 | $42,648,000 | 101 | $42,758,054 | $51,844,706 | $49,080,358 |
| 2023 | $793,917,812 | $87,439,210 | $42,635,831 | $40,020,834 | 85 | $40,105,338 | $32,823,050 | $41,990,106 |
| 2022 | $751,907,223 | $90,055,949 | $72,869,241 | $42,762,667 | 77 | $42,863,917 | $35,783,769 | $38,849,371 |
| 2021 | $709,027,636 | $129,920,591 | $61,222,971 | $33,902,334 | 81 | $33,989,312 | $75,494,783 | $41,959,807 |
| 2020 | $618,850,850 | $81,966,247 | $22,675,616 | $30,578,899 | 125 | — | $29,048,772 | $34,219,401 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc reported a distributable amount of $49.1M 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
The Foundation describes giving back to communities where it does business as important and works with Cox businesses to help people and communities. Its priority areas are biodiversity, conservation and environment; early childhood education; health; and empowering families and individuals for success.
Examples of grantees include organizations whose own missions address these areas in different ways. Atlanta Speech School says it works to bring deep reading to every child. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta says its mission is to make children better today and healthier tomorrow. Food Well Alliance says it supports local growers to connect and build healthier communities. PATH Foundation describes its work as designing and building bicycle and pedestrian trails in metro Atlanta and helping other Georgia cities advance trail development.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 101 grants totaling $42,648,000. Grant amounts ranged from $2,500 to $5,000,000, with a median of $100,000.
Among its largest 2024 grants were $5,000,000 to Atlanta Botanical Garden for capital campaign support and $5,000,000 to Atlanta Police Foundation for special project support. Other major awards included $4,150,000 to Atlanta BeltLine Partnership for capital campaign support; $2,000,000 each to Atlanta Speech School, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Shepherd Center Foundation, and the Henry W. Grady Health System Foundation; and $1,500,000 to PATH Foundation. The Atlanta Police Foundation describes its mission as making Atlanta safer and more inviting for residents, workers, and visitors. Atlanta BeltLine Partnership says it raises funds and builds partnerships to advance the BeltLine vision and engage and empower nearby residents.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists James C. Kennedy as chairman, president, and trustee; Nancy K. Rigby as treasurer, secretary, and trustee; Alexander C. Taylor and Barbara K. Harty as vice presidents and trustees; John M. Dyer as trustee; and Jessie S. McKellar as assistant secretary. The Foundation’s website identifies Jim Kennedy as its chairman and as chairman emeritus of Cox Enterprises.
James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc is led by James C. Kennedy, Chairman, President & Trustee on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
James C. Kennedy
Chairman, President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alexander C. Taylor
Vice President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbara K. Harty
Vice President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John M. Dyer
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy K. Rigby
Treasurer, Secretary & Trustee
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jessie S. McKellar
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2021
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Jennifer E. Blake (2020–2021) — Assistant Secretary
- Former: Anne Cox Chambers (2020) — Chair Emeritus & Trustee · Filing note: Until 13120
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.
Frequently asked questions about James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc
How much does James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc give each year?
James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc gave $42.6M across 101 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $40.0M across 85 grants.
What is James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc's typical grant size?
James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc's median grant in 2024 was $100,000, and its average grant was $422,257, across 101 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc that year got $173K on average.
Where does James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc give grants?
James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc gives mostly in Georgia: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Atlanta, GA (38 grants), Norcross, GA (3 grants), Phoenix, AZ (2 grants) and San Diego, CA (2 grants).
Does James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 20% of James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (20 of 101) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Capital Campaign Support" (42 grants), "Special Project Support" (33 grants) and "Disaster Relief" (4 grants).
Who are James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc's largest grantees?
James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Atlanta Beltline Partnership ($5,150,000 across 2 grants), Atlanta Botanical Garden ($5,075,000 across 2 grants) and Atlanta Police Foundation ($5,000,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc?
James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc reported $976.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $42.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $49.1M (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 James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc fund?
The Foundation describes giving back to communities where it does business as important and works with Cox businesses to help people and communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc?
The Foundation accepts applications online and does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc's EIN?
James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-6032469. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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). James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/james-m-cox-foundation-of-georgia-inc-morg_65cc3ce9955e4806bd678c31dc9f6cca
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_586032469_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/james-m-cox-foundation-of-georgia-inc-morg_65cc3ce9955e4806bd678c31dc9f6cca},
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 James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc'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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