The TW Marian W Ottley Atlanta Main foundation makes a small number of large, unrestricted operating grants to place-based cultural and outdoor recreation institutions—primarily in the Atlanta region. Their giving emphasizes sustaining major public-facing assets (museums and urban trails/parks) rather than many small projects or national initiatives. The foundation shows a clear preference for organizations that provide community access to nature, education and cultural programming.
Concentrated giving: very few (three) large, equal-sized grants focused on core institutions; primarily unrestricted/general operating support with repeat support to closely related entities (Fernbank Museum / Fernbank, Inc).
Tw Marian W Ottley Atlanta Main’s recent giving is marked by repeated large general operating grants to Atlanta-based cultural, educational, and outdoor-recreation institutions. Two of the clearest signals are $250,000 to Fernbank Inc in 2025 and $250,000 to Path Foundation Inc in 2025, both designated for general operating support. That pattern points to a funder that favors core institutional capacity over restricted projects. The foundation’s grants also extend to organizations that maintain public-facing amenities and civic life in the Atlanta region, including museums, trails, parks, schools, and community-serving nonprofits. The grant list shows a consistent preference for established organizations that anchor place-based programming. Fernbank appears again in 2023 as Fernbank Museum of Natural History with another $250,000 operating grant, suggesting continuity in support. Other large awards include $200,000 to Berry College Inc, $150,000 to Terminus Ballet Inc, and $150,000 to United Way of Greater Atlanta Inc. Across these examples, the common thread is support for institutions that provide education, recreation, culture, and community infrastructure at scale.
A central theme in the foundation’s grantmaking is urban trails, greenways, and park development. In 2025, it gave $250,000 to Path Foundation Inc for general operating support, aligning with its emphasis on outdoor infrastructure that serves the public. Cultural institutions are another major focus. The foundation awarded $250,000 to Fernbank Museum of Natural History in 2023 for general operating support, and later gave $80,000 to Center for Puppetry Arts Inc in 2025, also for general operating support. Both grants point to backing for public arts and science education. The funder also supports community institutions tied to neighborhood life and services. Examples include $100,000 to Historic Oakland Foundation Inc in 2025, $100,000 to The Callanwolde Foundation Inc in 2025, and $100,000 to Good Samaritan Health Center Inc in 2025, each listed as general operating grants.
Typical grant sizes are substantial: the p25 is $15,000, the median is $25,000, and the p75 is $50,000. The recent grants list shows a much larger operating-grant pattern at the top end, with several awards in the $100,000 to $250,000 range. Grants recur across years for some organizations, including Fernbank in 2023 and 2025 and United Way of Greater Atlanta in 2024 and 2025, indicating repeat support rather than one-time funding. The foundation is a Pure DAF Provider and does not fund individuals.
$2.9M
$51.2M
$6.8M
$3.6M
Most grants fall between $15K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in GA.
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Notable grantees: PATH Foundation Inc, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Fernbank Inc
Grantmaking is nationally scoped, but the recent grants cluster heavily in Georgia, which is the top state by grant count. Atlanta appears repeatedly as a recipient city, with additional Georgia recipients in Decatur, Roswell, Mount Berry, Mableton, Peachtree Corners, and Rabun Gap. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 178 grants going to recipients in the United States. Despite the headquarters being in Saint Louis, Missouri, no grants in the recent list go to Missouri recipients.
The recent grants favor established nonprofits and institutions that provide public-facing services in culture, education, recreation, and community support. Examples include Fernbank Inc, Path Foundation Inc, United Way of Greater Atlanta Inc, and Center for Puppetry Arts Inc, all funded with general operating support.
The typical grant size is $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include several six-figure operating grants, such as $250,000, $200,000, and $150,000 awards.
Yes. Fernbank appears in both 2023 and 2025 with $250,000 general operating grants, and United Way of Greater Atlanta appears in 2024 and 2025 with grants of $150,000 and $75,000. That pattern suggests recurring support for selected institutions.
Georgia receives the most grants by count. The recent list is heavily centered in Atlanta, with additional Georgia recipients in Decatur, Roswell, Mount Berry, Mableton, Peachtree Corners, and Rabun Gap. All listed recipient-country data is U.S.-based.
Yes. The recent grants are consistently labeled general operating support, including awards to Fernbank Inc, Path Foundation Inc, Berry College Inc, Terminus Ballet Inc, and Good Samaritan Health Center Inc. That indicates a preference for unrestricted operating support over project-only funding.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PATH FOUNDATION INC | ATLANTA, GA | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FERNBANK INC | ATLANTA, GA | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| INTERDENOMINATIONAL THEOLOGICAL CENTER I | ATLANTA, GA | $140,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ATLANTA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | ATLANTA, GA | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE CALLANWOLDE FOUNDATION INC | ATLANTA, GA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| VISITING NURSE HEALTH SYSTEM INC | ATLANTA, GA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HISTORIC OAKLAND FOUNDATION INC | ATLANTA, GA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE LOVETT SCHOOL | ATLANTA, GA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GOOD SAMARITAN HEALTH CENTER INC | ATLANTA, GA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CHATTAHOOCHEE NATURE CENTER INC | ROSWELL, GA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| JEWISH HOMELIFE | ATLANTA, GA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CENTER FOR PUPPETRY ARTS INC | ATLANTA, GA | $80,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER ATLANTA INC | ATLANTA, GA | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE STUDY HALL INC | ATLANTA, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| YEAR UP INC | BOSTON, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | NORCROSS, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| EMORY UNIVERSITY | ATLANTA, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF METRO ATLANT | ATLANTA, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ROBERT W WOODRUFF ARTS CENTER INC | ATLANTA, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GEORGIA AUDUBON INC | ATLANTA, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CAMP KUDZU INC | ATLANTA, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ATLANTA RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES | ATLANTA, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CROSSROADS COMMUNITY MINISTRIES INC | ATLANTA, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NORTHSIDE YOUTH ORGANIZATION INC | ATLANTA, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NAVICENT HEALTH FOUNDATION INC | MACON, GA | $36,973 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HIRSCH ACADEMY INC | DECATUR, GA | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| EAGLE RANCH INC | FLOWERY BR, GA | $30,810 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CENTER FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED INC | ATLANTA, GA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| STEPPING STONES EDUCATIONAL THERAPY CENT | GRIFFIN, GA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CHILDRENS HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA | ATLANTA, GA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GLOBAL GROWERS NETWORK INC | DECATUR, GA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GEORGIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | MARIETTA, GA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CHILDREN WITHOUT BEDS | ROSWELL, GA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ATLANTA SMART ACADEMY | ATLANTA, GA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| COLLEGE AIM INC | ATLANTA, GA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| LITERACY ACTION INC | ATLANTA, GA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC | ATLANTA, GA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| IAMHOLDENON INC | LAGRANGE, GA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GEORGIA MUSEUMS INC | CARTERSVILLE, GA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| AUDITORYVERBAL CENTER INC | ATLANTA, GA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CLAYTON COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY | MORROW, GA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ESSENTIAL2LIFE INC | ATLANTA, GA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MEN STOPPING VIOLENCE INC | DECATUR, GA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE SAE SCHOOL INC | MABLETON, GA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE ATLANTAFULTON PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDAT | ATLANTA, GA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE POSSE FOUNDATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | CASPER, WY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| INCOMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC | ROSWELL, GA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NETWORKS COOPERATIVE MINISTRY | TUCKER, GA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
FERNBANK INC
$250,000GENERAL OPERATING
INTERDENOMINATIONAL THEOLOGICAL CENTER I
$140,000GENERAL OPERATING
ATLANTA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$125,000GENERAL OPERATING
GENERAL OPERATING
HISTORIC OAKLAND FOUNDATION INC
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
THE LOVETT SCHOOL
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
CHATTAHOOCHEE NATURE CENTER INC
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
JEWISH HOMELIFE
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
EMORY UNIVERSITY
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF METRO ATLANT
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
GEORGIA AUDUBON INC
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
ATLANTA RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
NAVICENT HEALTH FOUNDATION INC
$36,973GENERAL OPERATING
HIRSCH ACADEMY INC
$35,000GENERAL OPERATING
STEPPING STONES EDUCATIONAL THERAPY CENT
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
CHILDRENS HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
GEORGIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
CHILDREN WITHOUT BEDS
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
ATLANTA SMART ACADEMY
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
COLLEGE AIM INC
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
LITERACY ACTION INC
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
IAMHOLDENON INC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
AUDITORYVERBAL CENTER INC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
CLAYTON COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
ESSENTIAL2LIFE INC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
MEN STOPPING VIOLENCE INC
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
THE SAE SCHOOL INC
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
THE ATLANTAFULTON PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDAT
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
INCOMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING