Robert W. Woodruff Foundation: Environment Grant

The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation offers environment grants aimed at improving the quality of life in Georgia through initiatives in conservation and education. It primarily supports organizations in metro Atlanta, especially those with a proven track record and strong leadership. Grants are provided for the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center and other environmental projects, emphasizing collaboration with community-led efforts. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) public charities with substantial operating budgets.

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 centerpiece of the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation’s environmental grantmaking is the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center. The Jones Center is a legacy of Mr. Woodruff’s lifelong love for the outdoors. It focuses on the science of natural resource management through programs in conservation, research and education.
The Foundation’s investments in the environment make up a modest part of our average grants portfolio (see graph). The Foundation provides annual support to the Jones Center and makes other grants for natural areas preservation, Atlanta parks and greenspaces, and environmental education.
Priorities
Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research CenterLarge-scale conservation projectsSignificant public/private efforts to promote good stewardship of Georgia’s natural resourcesSupport of the Park Pride Legacy Grants program for public parks and greenspaces in Atlanta

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.Has paid full-time staff and an annual operating budget above $500,000.Aligns with the Foundation’s program interests in Health, Education, Environment, Human Services, Arts & Culture or Community Development.

Ineligibility

Environment: What we do not fundAnnual operating support outside of the Jones CenterIndividual neighborhood parks or gardensSchool-based environmental education programsWhat 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