The Cousins Foundation Inc
The Cousins Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Atlanta, Georgia, established in 1963. It supports nonprofit organizations through grants for general operating support, programs, and capital projects, with a geographic focus on Metro Atlanta and occasional support for efforts in other communities important to the family.
The Cousins Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Cousins Foundation Inc gave $1.3M across 20 grants in 2024 (avg $67K), mostly in Georgia. 0% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,335,000
- -27.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 20
- -33.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $66,750
- +8.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $61,144,048
- +9.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 20, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Georgia (96% 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 The Cousins Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through a public online Letter of Intent (LOI) process. First-time applicants create an account in the application portal and submit an LOI describing their organization, service area and population, and funding request. Staff review LOIs for alignment with the foundation’s priorities; selected applicants are invited to submit a full application and meet with foundation staff. Staff prepare a summary for the Grants Advisory Committee, which reviews requests biannually and determines grant approval and amount. Previous grant partners may submit an LOI or contact the foundation to discuss a request. The filing states that grants are recommended by staff and approved by the Board, and that grantees must submit an annual report for each year an award is active.
- Review Cycle
- The 2024 filing states that there are no deadlines. The website says LOIs are open on the dates listed in its timeline.
- Deadline
- The 2024 filing states that there are no deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Tiffany Padolsky Foundation Office
Mailing address: 830 Glenwood Ave Se Suite 510-205, Atlanta, GA 30316
Phone: (404) 233-4339
Email: tpadolsky@cffdn.org
Website: https://cousinsfoundations.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Cousins Foundation Inc
Who The Cousins Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ogelthorpe University ($200K). Together the top 10 received $980K.
Grant Size Distribution
148 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 62 grants of 148 (42%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses its funding on organizations based in Metro Atlanta. Its website identifies the Carver cluster attendance zone in South Atlanta, East Lake, and Grove Park as priority areas. The LOI materials place those neighborhoods in Tier 1, Metro Atlanta in Tier 2, and statewide Georgia or other areas in Tier 3. In 2024, 96% of itemized grant dollars went to recipients in Georgia and 4% to recipients in Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Cousins Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 0 of 20 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 20 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. How we count
- 95% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 44% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 56% 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 $1.3M (2024) to $3.9M (2020). In 2024 it made 20 grants totaling $1.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ogelthorpe University Brookhaven, GA | General Purpose | $200,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta Atlanta, GA | General Purpose | $100,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta Atlanta, GA | General Purpose | $100,000 |
| Cor Inc Atlanta, GA | General Purpose | $100,000 |
| Leap Year Atlanta, GA | General Purpose | $100,000 |
| Next Generation Men & Women Atlanta, GA | General Purpose | $100,000 |
| Paw Kids Atlanta, GA | General Purpose | $100,000 |
| Youthspark Inc Atlanta, GA | General Purpose | $75,000 |
| National Black Arts Festival Atlanta, GA | General Purpose | $55,000 |
| Agape Youth & Family Center Atlanta, GA | General Purpose | $50,000 |
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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 | $61,144,048 | $2,384,411 | $2,276,819 | $1,335,000 | 20 | $1,561,108 | $1,762,996 | $2,781,835 |
| 2023 | $55,760,843 | $2,058,339 | $2,551,414 | $1,845,219 | 30 | $1,887,692 | $1,414,617 | $2,537,495 |
| 2022 | $51,597,750 | $1,678,562 | $2,760,627 | $1,595,250 | 24 | $1,730,149 | $1,287,033 | $2,473,556 |
| 2021 | $57,987,038 | $4,135,850 | $3,552,330 | $2,390,000 | 24 | $2,410,455 | $2,660,373 | $2,470,894 |
| 2020 | $56,285,207 | $6,289,515 | $5,014,535 | $3,851,944 | 50 | — | $4,003,980 | $2,460,637 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Cousins Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $2.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to tackle big problems and build collaborative relationships in support of holistic approaches to solutions addressing the root causes of social and economic disparities in the communities it serves. It seeks to support innovative ideas and organizations, including compelling early-stage efforts, and leaders committed to long-term solutions.
Its focus areas include access to mental and physical health services and healthy, sustainable food; safe and thriving communities; early childhood and equitable K–12 education, and pathways to college and career readiness; economic mobility, small-business growth, job training, and financial planning; stable and affordable housing; and community arts, including fine arts, historical sites, and museums.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of work among its grantees. COR Inc says its mission is to disrupt race- and poverty-based inequities. Next Generation Men & Women says it brings college and career readiness to life for underserved Atlanta students. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta says it creates and supports mentoring relationships for young people, while Leap Year says it prepares students to reach their academic and leadership potential and break the cycle of poverty. National Black Arts Festival says it presents and supports artists and art of African descent.
Grantmaking
The foundation’s website reports $8.8 million in distributions and 99 grants awarded in 2024. Its 2024 filing data lists 20 itemized grants totaling $1,335,000, ranging from $20,000 to $200,000, with a median of $50,000.
Among the largest grants listed for 2024 were $200,000 to Oglethorpe University and $100,000 each to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, COR Inc, Leap Year, Next Generation Men & Women, and PAW Kids. Other listed grants included $75,000 to youthSpark, $55,000 to National Black Arts Festival, and $50,000 each to Agape Youth & Family Center, City of Refuge, and Open Door Solutions.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Lillian C. Giornelli as president and trustee; William C. Wren, Grady Cousins, Ann D. Cousins, Thomas G. Cousins, and Shirley Franklin as trustees; Tiffany Padolsky as secretary; Dana Jackson as treasurer; and Paula Andrews as vice president. The foundation’s website identifies Tiffany Padolsky as its Grants Manager.
The Cousins Foundation Inc is led by Lillian C. Giornelli, President & Trustee on every filing since 2020; none of the 9 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lillian C. Giornelli
President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Ann D. Cousins
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Grady Cousins
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Thomas G. Cousins
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
William C. Wren
Trustee
Vice President & Trustee → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Shirley Franklin
Trustee
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Tiffany Padolsky
Secretary
Assistant Secretary → Secretary & Treasurer, 2022
Secretary & Treasurer → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Dana Jackson
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Paula Andrews
Vice President
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Katie Long (2023) — Assistant Secretary
- Former: Amy Clarke (2020–2022) — Assistant Secretary
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 The Cousins Foundation Inc
How much does The Cousins Foundation Inc give each year?
The Cousins Foundation Inc gave $1.3M across 20 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.8M across 30 grants.
What is The Cousins Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Cousins Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $66,750, across 20 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Cousins Foundation Inc give grants?
The Cousins Foundation Inc gives mostly in Georgia: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Atlanta, GA (16 grants).
Does The Cousins Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Cousins Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (20 of 20) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Cousins Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Cousins Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Ogelthorpe University ($200,000), Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta ($100,000) and Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Cousins Foundation Inc?
The Cousins Foundation Inc reported $61.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.8M (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 The Cousins Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to tackle big problems and build collaborative relationships in support of holistic approaches to solutions addressing the root causes of social and economic disparities in the communities it serves. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Cousins Foundation Inc?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through a public online Letter of Intent (LOI) process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Cousins Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Cousins Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-6043765. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Cousins Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 October 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). The Cousins Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-cousins-foundation-inc-morg_ac67288b653e4bc88384b455156048d9
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_586043765_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Cousins Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-cousins-foundation-inc-morg_ac67288b653e4bc88384b455156048d9},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. 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 The Cousins Foundation 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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