Robert W. Woodruff Foundation: Community Development Grant

The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation offers the Community Development Grant to enhance life quality in Georgia through investments in health, education, and community initiatives. Grant applications are accepted year-round, with deadlines of February 1 and August 15 for review in April and November, respectively. The Foundation prioritizes projects that benefit downtown Atlanta, support regional cooperation, and have strong community backing. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) public charities located in Georgia to be eligible.

The Foundation accepts grant requests throughout the year. We encourage you to submit before the deadlines listed below.
February 1 – Requests received by the first business day on or after February 1 will be considered at the April meeting of our Board of Trustees.August 15 – Requests received by the first business day on or after August 15 will be considered at the November meeting of our Board of Trustees.
Our Approach
We pursue our mission by responding to community needs, typically making grants to institutions and projects with strong leadership and a broad base of support. The Foundation seeks to help organizations with a proven track record of success stretch further to seize new opportunities or to meet extraordinary needs.
Generally, the Foundation prefers not to be the only funder for a project, but to participate with the community in supporting initiatives led by others. The Foundation will occasionally make leading grants when the need is great and the initiative is compelling.
The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation supports community development and the work of the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors to improve the quality of life in our city and region.
Mr. Woodruff believed Atlanta should be a first-class city in which to conduct business, and he understood that businesses could only thrive in a community that offers a high quality of life for its residents.
The Foundation’s investments in community development make up a small part of our average grants portfolio (see graph). In general, the Foundation participates in community-led projects focused on improving metro Atlanta. It also supports organizations that work to strengthen the nonprofit sector in Georgia.
Priorities
Projects that contribute to the vitality of downtown AtlantaInitiatives that promote regional cooperation within metro AtlantaLarge-scale community improvement plans backed by major local supportOrganizations that support the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors in Georgia

Eligibility

The Foundation’s grantmaking is generally limited to organizations located and operating in metro Atlanta.We will occasionally consider grants to significant institutions and initiatives in communities throughout Georgia.Your organization may be eligible for a grant if it:Is a 501(c)(3) public charity.Is located or operating in Georgia.Aligns with the Foundation’s program interests in Health, Education, Environment, Human Services, Arts & Culture or Community Development.

Ineligibility

Community Development - What we do not fund:Projects that lack broad public and private supportWhat We Do Not Fund
Organizations that do not have 501(c)(3) statusOrganizations without a presence in GeorgiaHuman services outside of metro AtlantaChurches or their denominational programsConferencesDebt reliefEndowmentsFestivals, performances or exhibitsFilms or documentariesFundraising eventsIndividualsIndividual public schoolsIndividual research projectsLoansPolitical campaigns or lobbying activitiesProfessional associationsPrivate schools outside of metro AtlantaSponsorships or special eventsStartup organizations or seed funding