Robert W. Woodruff Foundation: Education Grant

The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation focuses on enhancing the quality of life in Georgia through investments in education, health, and economic opportunities. They prioritize funding for higher education institutions in Georgia, aiming to improve access and foster innovation. The Foundation does not support K-12 education, athletic facilities, or endowments. Successful applicants typically exhibit strong leadership, sustainable operations, and measurable community impact, ensuring their initiatives align with the Foundation's mission.

NOTE: 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.
Robert Winship Woodruff
Robert Winship Woodruff was a remarkable businessman and philanthropist. He became president of The Coca-Cola Company in 1923 and guided it until his death in 1985, helping to shape the company from a local soft drink business into the world’s best-known brand.
The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation is an independent private foundation that seeks to improve the quality of life in Georgia by investing in health, education, economic opportunity and community vitality.
Mr. Woodruff never completed a college degree but valued higher education, making transformative gifts to Emory University and helping to establish the Atlanta University Center. He also gave anonymously to help many students afford a college education.
Education remains a significant part of our average grants portfolio (see chart).
We do not fund athletic facilities, endowments, individual research projects, public K-12 education or student organizations. The Foundation has limited giving for independent schools to those that have received past support.
Does the Foundation provide Annual Operating Support?
We do not typically provide support for annual operations or ongoing program costs. We prefer to make grants for one-time needs to help organizations with a proven track record stretch further to seize new opportunities or to accelerate impact.

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.Has paid full-time staff and an annual budget over $500,000

Ineligibility

Education- what we do not fund: EndowmentsIndividual public schools or school programsPrivate day schools outside of metro AtlantaWhat we do not fundOrganizations 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