The Rockdale Foundation Inc
The Rockdale Foundation Inc is a private, family foundation established in 1994 by Bob Pattillo and Katy Barksdale. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the foundation is named in recognition of the Pattillo and Barksdale families' deep roots in the community and commerce of Rockdale County, Georgia. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and has been tax-exempt since July 2002.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.3M
-10.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$755K
-19.1% YoY
Grant Count
22
+15.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$34K
-30.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Rockdale Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $112K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to benefit charitable purposes by providing grants to charitable organizations. The organization describes itself as "an extension of our partners" committed to listening and supporting the informed work of local leaders.
The foundation's core commitments include:
- Education: Quality teaching and school leadership that inspires and leads every student toward continued, lifelong learning and growth
- Children & Youth: Ensuring all children have the opportunity to participate in activities and relationships which build them up to be their best selves
- Community: Recognizing the importance of existing relationships, cultural practices, and structures that allow communities to thrive
Grantmaking
The foundation partners with organizations that demonstrate a vision for systemic change, a commitment to ethical leadership, and the use of asset-based development approaches. The foundation values collaboration and seeks partners who share similar visions for sustainable impact.
Grant Range
$216
Average Grant
$216
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's work spans multiple regions:
Domestic: Georgia, New York, North Carolina, California, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania
International: Primary focus on Sierra Leone, selected after the foundation visited several Sub-Saharan African countries. The foundation began grantmaking in Sierra Leone in 2011, recognizing it as a country that had survived a brutal civil war and was poised for development. The foundation also makes grants elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa to gain knowledge for its Sierra Leone work.
Historical Focus: From 2000 to 2009, the foundation supported community development and education projects in South Atlanta and educational initiatives in partnership with Atlanta Public Schools, as well as microfinance work in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $2,547,318
- Total Revenue: $1,012,828
- Total Expenses: $1,032,071
- Total Liabilities: $714
- Investment Income and Dividends: $28,213
As of December 2022:
- Total Assets: $2.1 million
- Total Revenue: $498,100
The foundation has experienced a slow decline in revenue over the past seven years, averaging a 1.0% annual decrease.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,283,307 | $2,547,318 | $2,052,693 |
| Revenue | $183,122 | $1,012,828 | $498,130 |
| Expenses | $211,907 | $1,032,071 | $1,709,214 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $203,830 | $1,023,780 | $1,705,912 |
| Net Investment Income | $24,159 | $19,922 | $475,459 |
| Distributable Amount | $112,155 | $113,959 | $165,032 |
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
121 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include National Youth Awareness Forum ($476,741), Boys and Girls Clubs Metro Atl ($75,000), Educaid ($60,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS METRO ATL ATLANTA, GA | OPERATING SUPPORT FOR YOUTH DEVELOPE | $75,000 |
| DAVIDSON COLLEGE DAVIDSON, NC | SUPPORT EDUCATION PROGRAMS | $1,000 |
| ROCKDALE CARES CONYERS, GA | SUPPORTS DEVELOPMENTALLY CHALLENGED | $1,000 |
| WOODRUFF ARTS CENTER ATLANTA, GA | SUPPORT ARTS AND EDUCATION | $30,000 |
| COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY SERVICES ATLANTA, GA | SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| GRANDMOTHER PROJECT INV CHEVY CHASE, MD | GRANDMOTHER LEADERSHIP TRAINING | $10,000 |
| TELEM UNCOMMON SOUNDS | SUPPORT MUSIC IN SIERRA LEONE | $410 |
| ONE HUNDRED MILES BRUNSWICK, GA | SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| NATIONAL YOUTH AWARENESS FORUM | WATER/HYGIENE PROJECT SIERRA LEONE | $476,741 |
| YWCA WASHINGTON, DC | SALUTE TO WOMAN OF ACHEIVEMENT | $1,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Kathleen Barksdale – President/Director
- Kathryn M. Pattillo – Director
- David Weitnauer – Vice President
All leadership serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATHLEEN M BARKSDALE | DIRECTOR/PRE | — | — |
| KATHLYN M PATTILLO | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| DAVID WEITNAUER | VICE PRESIDE | — | — |
Contact Information
Address: 186 The Prado NE, Atlanta, GA 30309-3388
Website: rockdalefoundation.org
EIN: 58-2668065
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Rockdale Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is to benefit charitable purposes by providing grants to charitable organizations. The organization describes itself as "an extension of our partners" committed to listening and supporting the informed work of local leaders. The foundation's core commitments include: • **Education**: Quality teaching and school leadership that inspires and leads every student toward continued, lifelong learning and growth • **Children & Youth**: Ensuring all children have the opportunit…
How do I apply for a grant from The Rockdale Foundation Inc?
The foundation partners with organizations that demonstrate a vision for systemic change, a commitment to ethical leadership, and the use of asset-based development approaches. The foundation values collaboration and seeks partners who share similar visions for sustainable impact. **Grant Activity:** • Made 33 grants in 2023 • Total giving in 2023: $934,000 • Average grant size: $216 • Typical award range: $250–$1,205,250 **Recent Grant Examples (2023):** • Jeneba Project: $30,000 (Support Educ…
Where does The Rockdale Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation's work spans multiple regions: **Domestic:** Georgia, New York, North Carolina, California, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania **International:** Primary focus on Sierra Leone, selected after the foundation visited several Sub-Saharan African countries. The foundation began grantmaking in Sierra Leone in 2011, recognizing it as a country that had survived a brutal civil war and was poised for development. The foundation also makes grants elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa to gai…
What size grants does The Rockdale Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Rockdale Foundation Inc awarded 22 grants totaling $755K — an average of about $34K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Rockdale Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Rockdale Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $112K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Rockdale Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Rockdale Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-2668065. 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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