
The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation is a highly Atlanta‑centric funder that concentrates on large, transformational capital and campaign gifts to health systems, higher education, parks/trails/land conservation, arts and cultural institutions, and community infrastructure. Grants tend to support facility construction/renovation, major neighborhood and regional projects (trail loops, affordable housing donor funds, public safety campaigns), and institutional capacity for research, medical care, and civic amenities. Their giving reflects multi‑million dollar, place‑based investments aimed at long‑term civic and institutional impact across metro Atlanta and select Georgia conservation sites.
A $75.0 million commitment to the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta anchors the Robert W Woodruff Foundation Inc’s recent giving and points to a funder that uses large, place-based grants to shape metro Atlanta over time. The foundation backs major capital campaigns, facility renovations, and long-range civic projects, with repeat support for health systems, universities, parks and trails, arts institutions, and neighborhood infrastructure. Recent awards show a consistent pattern of funding institutions that are carrying out major buildouts or campaign goals. The foundation supported the Robert W Woodruff Health Sciences Center Fund for the Emory + Children’s Pediatric Institute research plan, and it gave Shepherd Center Foundation more than $25 million toward an expansion of facilities and programs for neurological treatment, rehabilitation, and research. It also supported Atlanta BeltLine Partnership for the trail corridor loop and resident retention work, Georgia State University Foundation for student success facilities, and Georgia Tech Foundation for Tech Square construction. Across the portfolio, the emphasis is on capital-heavy projects with institutional reach in Atlanta and nearby Georgia communities.
In healthcare infrastructure, the foundation gave $35.0 million to Robert W Woodruff Health Sciences Center Fund Inc for the Emory + Children’s Pediatric Institute research plan, and $10.0 million to the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta for Grady Health Systems projects including renovation of Crestview Health and Rehabilitation Center and expansion of neighborhood outpatient centers. It also gave $3.0 million to Emory University to expand the nurse residency program at Emory Healthcare and pilot a nurse fellowship program at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. Higher education is another clear theme. Georgia State University Foundation received $15.0 million for renovation of the Bell Buildings to house student success services and the National Institute for Student Success, while Georgia Tech Foundation received two grants for Phase III construction of Tech Square. The foundation also supported Morehouse School of Medicine with $6.0 million for renovation of the Hugh M. Gloster and Medical Education Buildings. For parks and trails, it backed Atlanta BeltLine Partnership and PATH Foundation for trail construction and corridor expansion, and it supported Trust for Public Land for the Chattahoochee RiverLands demonstration project.
$190.3M
$1.9B
$632.4M
$200.5M
Most grants fall between $500K and $6.4M, with a median of $2M.
25th Percentile
$500K
Median
$2M
75th Percentile
$6.4M
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Concentrated, large-scale philanthropic investments primarily within Georgia (especially Atlanta), delivered as multi‑million dollar capital or campaign gifts; a mix of repeat multi‑year support to flagship institutions and one‑off transformational grants for infrastructure and conservation projects.
Notable grantees: Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Ichauway Incorporated, Robert W Woodruff Health Sciences Center Fund (Emory/Children’s Pediatric Institute), Georgia Tech Foundation, Atlanta BeltLine Partnership
Typical grants are large: the 25th percentile is $500,000, the median is $2,000,000, and the 75th percentile is $6,431,250. That distribution matches a grantmaker that works through major capital and campaign gifts rather than small, one-off awards. The recent record also shows repeat support to the same organizations across multiple years, including several awards to Ichauway Incorporated, Georgia Tech Foundation, and Georgia State University Foundation. Robert W Woodruff Foundation Inc is a regular funder rather than a DAF vehicle, and it funds individuals as well as institutions.
Giving is overwhelmingly local and concentrated in Georgia: 93% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Atlanta is the dominant recipient city, with additional awards landing in Athens, Rabun Gap, and Newton. Outside Atlanta, grants also support places tied to conservation and campus work, including Newton and Rabun Gap. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 63 grants to U.S. organizations.
Its recent grants focus on capital campaigns, facility renovations, trail and greenway projects, health system infrastructure, and higher education buildings. Examples include a pediatric research plan, nursing education facilities, museum updates, and trail expansion projects in metro Atlanta.
The grant-size profile is on the high end: p25 is $500,000, the median is $2,000,000, and p75 is $6,431,250. Recent awards also include several multi-million-dollar campaign gifts, which fits a capital-intensive funding pattern.
Yes. Recent records show repeat grants to organizations such as Ichauway Incorporated, Georgia Tech Foundation, and Georgia State University Foundation across multiple years, which suggests ongoing support for multi-phase projects and campaigns.
The grantmaking is local and heavily concentrated in Georgia. Ninety-three percent of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Atlanta appears most often among recipient cities, with additional awards in Athens, Rabun Gap, and Newton.
Robert W Woodruff Foundation Inc is listed as a regular funder, not a DAF. It also funds individuals, and its recent giving pattern centers on institutional and place-based projects rather than broad open application campaigns.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emory University | Atlanta, GA | $90,000,025 | 2026 | Acquisition of the former Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston campus. |
| Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | $20,000,052 | 2026 | Development of Georgia State University's Panther Quad and associated improvements from 100 Edgewood to Woodruff Park. |
| Atlanta Area Council Scouting America | Atlanta, GA | $15,500,000 | 2026 | $49.1 million campaign to develop Woodruff Scout Camp into a premier destination. |
| Ichauway Incorporated | Newton, GA | $13,100,000 | 2026 | 2025 capital and operating needs. |
| Atlanta Beltline Partnership | Atlanta, GA | $12,310,068 | 2026 | Completion of the 22-mile trail corridor loop ($75 million) and support for the Legacy Resident Retention Program ($2.5 million) and Partnership operations ($2.5 million). |
| National Center for Civil and Human Rights | Atlanta, GA | $8,500,000 | 2026 | Campaign to expand the museum with two new wings. |
| Atlanta Fulton County Zoo | Atlanta, GA | $6,000,000 | 2026 | Renovation of giant panda habitat to meet conservation standards and enhance guests' experience. |
| The Conservation Fund | Arlington, VA | $5,000,000 | 2026 | Acquisition of 7,764-acre Twin Pines property adjacent to the Okefenokee Swamp. |
| Fernbank Inc | Atlanta, GA | $4,000,000 | 2026 | Construction of new exhibits, galleries and accessibility projects as part of $25 million campaign. |
| Georgia Cities Foundation | Atlanta, GA | $2,500,000 | 2026 | Support of a revolving loan fund for downtown development projects in small Georgia cities. |
| Park Pride | Atlanta, GA | $2,000,000 | 2026 | Support of the Legacy Grant Program to provide grants for park improvement projects. |
| Emory University | Atlanta, GA | $2,000,000 | 2026 | Support to expand the nurse residency program at Emory Healthcare ($5 million) and pilot a nurse fellowship program at Emory's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing ($3.5 million). |
| Emory University | Atlanta, GA | $2,000,000 | 2026 | Support of the Rollins Epidemiology Fellowship program. |
| Chastain Park Conservancy | Atlanta, GA | $1,000,000 | 2026 | Development of Northside Youth Organization facilities. |
| Greater Atlanta Chamber Foundation | Atlanta, GA | $1,000,000 | 2026 | Support of Downtown Reimagined initiative. |
| Chattahoochee Nature Center | Roswell, GA | $1,000,000 | 2026 | $9.8 million campaign for capital improvements to expand environmental education programs. |
| National Infantry Museum Foundation | Columbus, GA | $1,000,000 | 2026 | Support of technology upgrades to enhance visitors' experience as part of $15 million campaign. |
| Capacity Inc | Atlanta, GA | $775,000 | 2026 | Support of streetscape improvements in downtown Atlanta. |
| National Center for Civil and Human Rights | Atlanta, GA | $750,000 | 2026 | Support of marketing and communications to promote the expanded museum. |
| Furkids | Cumming, GA | $500,000 | 2026 | $14.5 million campaign to complete shelters for animal rescue organization. |
| Georgia Center for Nonprofits | Atlanta, GA | $425,000 | 2026 | Support of operations ($350,000) and Future Forward projects ($75,000) to stabilize and strengthen nonprofits in Georgia. |
| Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation | San Francisco, CA | $350,000 | 2026 | Support of KFF Health News' Southern bureau to increase reporting in Georgia. |
| Dunwoody Nature Center | Dunwoody, GA | $225,000 | 2026 | $2.5 million campaign to construct the Wildcat Creek Learning Lab. |
| Georgia Council on Economic Education | Atlanta, GA | $200,000 | 2026 | Support of programs to strengthen K-12 economics education in Georgia. |
| Candid | New York, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | Support of Candid's Atlanta office. |
| Georgia Press Educational Foundation | Marietta, GA | $75,000 | 2026 | Support of the Capitol Beat news service bureau to provide coverage of state government. |
| Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | $60,000,101 | 2025 | Development of Georgia State University's Panther Quad and associated improvements from 100 Edgewood to Woodruff Park. |
| Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | $40,000,051 | 2025 | Renovation of Crestview Health and Rehabilitation Center, expansion of neighborhood outpatient centers, and other priority projects as part of Grady Health Systems $110 million campaign. |
| Ichauway Incorporated | Newton, GA | $12,600,000 | 2025 | 2024 capital and operating needs. |
| Atlanta Beltline Partnership | Atlanta, GA | $10,700,062 | 2025 | Completion of the 22-mile trail corridor loop ($75 million) and support for the Legacy Resident Retention Program ($2.5 million) and Partnership operations ($2.5 million). |
| Robert W Woodruff Arts Center | Atlanta, GA | $10,000,036 | 2025 | $67 million campaign to update facilities and community spaces. |
| APF Support Inc fbo Atlanta Police Foundation | Atlanta, GA | $10,000,000 | 2025 | Construction of enhancement projects identified by the community for the Public Safety Training Center campus. |
| Atlanta History Center | Atlanta, GA | $6,000,002 | 2025 | $48.5 million centennial anniversary campaign to improve the museum with new exhibits, digital storytelling, childrens offerings and campus updates. |
| Berry College | Mount Berry, GA | $5,000,042 | 2025 | $33.4 million campaign to construct a health sciences building. |
| Emory University | Atlanta, GA | $3,500,000 | 2025 | Support to expand the nurse residency program at Emory Healthcare ($5 million) and pilot a nurse fellowship program at Emory's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing ($3.5 million). |
| Georgia World Congress Center Authority | Atlanta, GA | $2,500,000 | 2025 | Support of improvements to the Fountain of Rings at Centennial Olympic Park. |
| HJ Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship | Atlanta, GA | $2,500,000 | 2025 | Capital expansion as part of $44.5 million campaign to support entrepreneurs in Atlanta. |
| PATH Foundation | Atlanta, GA | $2,000,000 | 2025 | $17.6 million campaign to add 18 new miles of trails. |
| Grady Health Foundation | Atlanta, GA | $2,000,000 | 2025 | Construction of training facilities ($6.6 million) and expansion of nursing education pipeline ($5 million) in partnership with Georgia State University. |
| American Red Cross | Atlanta, GA | $2,000,000 | 2025 | Disaster relief for victims of Hurricane Helene in Georgia. |
| Park Pride | Atlanta, GA | $1,700,000 | 2025 | Support of the Legacy Grant Program to provide grants for park improvement projects. |
| Emory University | Atlanta, GA | $1,700,000 | 2025 | Support of the Rollins Epidemiology Fellowship program. |
| Greater Atlanta Chamber Foundation | Atlanta, GA | $1,500,000 | 2025 | Support of Downtown Reimagined initiative. |
| American Cancer Society | Atlanta, GA | $1,500,000 | 2025 | Support of research partnership with the Winship Cancer Institute. |
| Woodward Academy | College Park, GA | $1,250,000 | 2025 | $12.5 million Phase I campaign to renovate Brewster Hall and construct the Chapel Garden Pavilion. |
| Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area | Augusta, GA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | Disaster relief for victims of Hurricane Helene in Georgia. |
| Jewish HomeLife | Atlanta, GA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | Improvements to William Breman Jewish Home and Balser Tower as part of $15.25 million campaign. |
| Georgia Research Alliance | Atlanta, GA | $963,000 | 2025 | Support for a collaborative initiative to research neurodegenerative diseases and establishment of the Calvin Smyre GRA Eminent Scholar Chair. |
| Georgia State University Foundation | Atlanta, GA | $855,000 | 2025 | Construction of training facilities ($10 million) and expansion of nursing education pipeline ($2 million) in partnership with Grady Health System. |
| Greater Atlanta Chamber Foundation | Atlanta, GA | $680,000 | 2025 | Support of study to evaluate regional water needs and supply sources. |
Emory University
$90,000,025Acquisition of the former Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston campus.
Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
$20,000,052Development of Georgia State University's Panther Quad and associated improvements from 100 Edgewood to Woodruff Park.
Atlanta Area Council Scouting America
$15,500,000$49.1 million campaign to develop Woodruff Scout Camp into a premier destination.
Ichauway Incorporated
$13,100,0002025 capital and operating needs.
Atlanta Beltline Partnership
$12,310,068Completion of the 22-mile trail corridor loop ($75 million) and support for the Legacy Resident Retention Program ($2.5 million) and Partnership operations ($2.5 million).
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Campaign to expand the museum with two new wings.
Atlanta Fulton County Zoo
$6,000,000Renovation of giant panda habitat to meet conservation standards and enhance guests' experience.
The Conservation Fund
$5,000,000Acquisition of 7,764-acre Twin Pines property adjacent to the Okefenokee Swamp.
Fernbank Inc
$4,000,000Construction of new exhibits, galleries and accessibility projects as part of $25 million campaign.
Georgia Cities Foundation
$2,500,000Support of a revolving loan fund for downtown development projects in small Georgia cities.
Park Pride
$2,000,000Support of the Legacy Grant Program to provide grants for park improvement projects.
Emory University
$2,000,000Support to expand the nurse residency program at Emory Healthcare ($5 million) and pilot a nurse fellowship program at Emory's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing ($3.5 million).
Emory University
$2,000,000Support of the Rollins Epidemiology Fellowship program.
Chastain Park Conservancy
$1,000,000Development of Northside Youth Organization facilities.
Greater Atlanta Chamber Foundation
$1,000,000Support of Downtown Reimagined initiative.
Chattahoochee Nature Center
$1,000,000$9.8 million campaign for capital improvements to expand environmental education programs.
National Infantry Museum Foundation
$1,000,000Support of technology upgrades to enhance visitors' experience as part of $15 million campaign.
Capacity Inc
$775,000Support of streetscape improvements in downtown Atlanta.
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
$750,000Support of marketing and communications to promote the expanded museum.
Furkids
$500,000$14.5 million campaign to complete shelters for animal rescue organization.
Georgia Center for Nonprofits
$425,000Support of operations ($350,000) and Future Forward projects ($75,000) to stabilize and strengthen nonprofits in Georgia.
Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation
$350,000Support of KFF Health News' Southern bureau to increase reporting in Georgia.
Dunwoody Nature Center
$225,000$2.5 million campaign to construct the Wildcat Creek Learning Lab.
Georgia Council on Economic Education
$200,000Support of programs to strengthen K-12 economics education in Georgia.
Candid
$100,000Support of Candid's Atlanta office.
Georgia Press Educational Foundation
$75,000Support of the Capitol Beat news service bureau to provide coverage of state government.
Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
$60,000,101Development of Georgia State University's Panther Quad and associated improvements from 100 Edgewood to Woodruff Park.
Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
$40,000,051Renovation of Crestview Health and Rehabilitation Center, expansion of neighborhood outpatient centers, and other priority projects as part of Grady Health Systems $110 million campaign.
Ichauway Incorporated
$12,600,0002024 capital and operating needs.
Atlanta Beltline Partnership
$10,700,062Completion of the 22-mile trail corridor loop ($75 million) and support for the Legacy Resident Retention Program ($2.5 million) and Partnership operations ($2.5 million).
Robert W Woodruff Arts Center
$10,000,036$67 million campaign to update facilities and community spaces.
APF Support Inc fbo Atlanta Police Foundation
$10,000,000Construction of enhancement projects identified by the community for the Public Safety Training Center campus.
Atlanta History Center
$6,000,002$48.5 million centennial anniversary campaign to improve the museum with new exhibits, digital storytelling, childrens offerings and campus updates.
Berry College
$5,000,042$33.4 million campaign to construct a health sciences building.
Emory University
$3,500,000Support to expand the nurse residency program at Emory Healthcare ($5 million) and pilot a nurse fellowship program at Emory's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing ($3.5 million).
Georgia World Congress Center Authority
$2,500,000Support of improvements to the Fountain of Rings at Centennial Olympic Park.
HJ Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
$2,500,000Capital expansion as part of $44.5 million campaign to support entrepreneurs in Atlanta.
PATH Foundation
$2,000,000$17.6 million campaign to add 18 new miles of trails.
Grady Health Foundation
$2,000,000Construction of training facilities ($6.6 million) and expansion of nursing education pipeline ($5 million) in partnership with Georgia State University.
American Red Cross
$2,000,000Disaster relief for victims of Hurricane Helene in Georgia.
Park Pride
$1,700,000Support of the Legacy Grant Program to provide grants for park improvement projects.
Emory University
$1,700,000Support of the Rollins Epidemiology Fellowship program.
Greater Atlanta Chamber Foundation
$1,500,000Support of Downtown Reimagined initiative.
American Cancer Society
$1,500,000Support of research partnership with the Winship Cancer Institute.
Woodward Academy
$1,250,000$12.5 million Phase I campaign to renovate Brewster Hall and construct the Chapel Garden Pavilion.
Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area
$1,000,000Disaster relief for victims of Hurricane Helene in Georgia.
Jewish HomeLife
$1,000,000Improvements to William Breman Jewish Home and Balser Tower as part of $15.25 million campaign.
Georgia Research Alliance
$963,000Support for a collaborative initiative to research neurodegenerative diseases and establishment of the Calvin Smyre GRA Eminent Scholar Chair.
Georgia State University Foundation
$855,000Construction of training facilities ($10 million) and expansion of nursing education pipeline ($2 million) in partnership with Grady Health System.
Greater Atlanta Chamber Foundation
$680,000Support of study to evaluate regional water needs and supply sources.