James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc
The James M. Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc is a private foundation incorporated in 1957 and based in Atlanta, Georgia. It serves as the charitable and grantmaking arm of Cox Enterprises, a communications, media, and automotive services company. The foundation supports capital campaigns, building construction and renovations, and special projects including program expansions and capacity-building efforts in communities where Cox Enterprises operates.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$976.8M
+23.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$42.6M
+6.6% YoY
Grant Count
101
+18.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$422K
-10.3% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation concentrates its support in the following priority areas:
- Biodiversity, conservation and environment — including national biodiversity initiatives and local community beautification efforts and green spaces
- Early childhood education — programs serving children from birth to five years
- Health — healthcare and patient care initiatives
- Empowering families and individuals for success — social services and community support programs
Grantmaking
Review Cycle
February 15, June 15, and October 15
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports communities where Cox Enterprises operates, with particular emphasis on the Atlanta metropolitan area. While local grants focus on community beautification and green spaces, the foundation also backs biodiversity initiatives nationally. Applicants outside metropolitan Atlanta should carefully review application guidelines.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $976,844,351
- Total revenue: $231,859,375
- Total expenses: $49,447,955
- Total liabilities: $60,100,000
Tax Status:
- Tax-exempt since March 1959
- EIN: 58-6032469
- Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization
- Donations are tax-deductible
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $976,844,351 | $793,917,812 | $751,907,223 |
| Revenue | $231,859,375 | $87,439,210 | $90,055,949 |
| Expenses | $49,447,955 | $42,635,831 | $72,869,241 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $42,758,054 | $40,105,338 | $42,863,917 |
| Net Investment Income | $51,844,706 | $32,823,050 | $35,783,769 |
| Distributable Amount | $49,080,358 | $41,990,106 | $38,849,371 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Atlanta Botanical Garden ($5,000,000), Atlanta Police Foundation ($5,000,000), Atlanta Beltline Partnership ($4,150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| JUST PEOPLE INC NORCROSS, GA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| ADVOCATES FOR BARTOW'S CHILDREN INC CARTERSVILLE, GA | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| ADVOCATES FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INC HAILEY, ID | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORT | $200,000 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC ATLANTA, GA | SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| AMERICAN RIVERS WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| ATLANTA ASSOCIATION FOR CONVALESCENT AGED PERSONS INC ATLANTA, GA | SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| ATLANTA BELTLINE PARTNERSHIP ATLANTA, GA | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORT | $4,150,000 |
| ATLANTA BELTLINE PARTNERSHIP ATLANTA, GA | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORT | $1,000,000 |
| ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDEN ATLANTA, GA | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORT | $5,000,000 |
| ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDEN ATLANTA, GA | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORT | $75,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Jim Kennedy serves as Chairman of the James M. Cox Foundation and Chairman Emeritus of Cox Enterprises.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES C KENNEDY | CHAIRMAN/PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | 0.4 | — |
| NANCY K RIGBY | TREASURER/SECRETARY/TRUSTEE | 15 | — |
| ALEXANDER C TAYLOR | VICE PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | 0.4 | — |
| JOHN M DYER | TRUSTEE | 0.4 | — |
| BARBARA K HARTY | VICE PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | 0.4 | — |
| JESSIE S MCKELLAR | ASSISTANT SECRETARY | 15 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has demonstrated active grantmaking in recent years, including major commitments to healthcare transformation at Emory University, conservation efforts through American Rivers, and environmental protection initiatives such as support for Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp protection efforts in partnership with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The foundation continues to invest significantly in early childhood education and teacher professional development programs in Georgia.
InCommunity Receives Grant from the James M. Cox Foundation - Metro AtlantaFrequently Asked Questions
What does James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc fund?
The foundation concentrates its support in the following priority areas: • **Biodiversity, conservation and environment** — including national biodiversity initiatives and local community beautification efforts and green spaces • **Early childhood education** — programs serving children from birth to five years • **Health** — healthcare and patient care initiatives • **Empowering families and individuals for success** — social services and community support programs
How do I apply for a grant from James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $2,500 to $6,000,000 • Focus on capital campaigns and special projects rather than basic operating expenses or annual programs • Total giving in 2024: $42,648,000 **Application Process:** • Grant applications are accepted three times per year • Application deadlines: February 15, June 15, and October 15 • All grant requests must be submitted via the foundation's online application portal • The foundation may require additional information or con…
Where does James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily supports communities where Cox Enterprises operates, with particular emphasis on the Atlanta metropolitan area. While local grants focus on community beautification and green spaces, the foundation also backs biodiversity initiatives nationally. Applicants outside metropolitan Atlanta should carefully review application guidelines.
What size grants does James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc award?
In 2024, James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc awarded 101 grants totaling $42.6M — an average of about $422K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc reported a distributable amount of $49.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in James M Cox Foundation of Georgia Inc'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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