No application form is required. Proposals should be in letter form, addressed to P. Russell Hardin, President, and should include the following information:

  • A description of the organization, its purposes, programs, staffing, and governing board
  • The organization's latest financial statements including the most recent audit report
  • A description of the proposed project and full justification for its funding
  • An itemized project budget, including other sources of support in hand or anticipated
  • Evidence from the IRS of the organization's tax-exempt status and that the applying organization itself is not a private foundation. Proposals not accompanied by a current IRS determination letter will not be considered.

Grants are NOT given for the following purposes:

  • Grants outside of Georgia unless the program has a particular impact in Georgia
  • For individuals, including financial aid for education (only charitable organizations are eligible for consideration)
  • Annual operating support
  • Festivals and performances
  • Conferences
  • Films and documentaries
  • Start-up funding or seed money (proven track record in the community is required for consideration)
  • Churches or their denominational programs
  • Youth services outside Atlanta

Organizations which seek Foundation support are invited to make an informal inquiry before submitting a proposal. All written grant inquiries and proposals should be mailed to Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1200, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.

Grant proposals may be submitted at any time during the year. Proposals received by February 1 are considered at an April meeting of the board of trustees. Proposals received by September 1 are considered at a November meeting.

The Foundation may require additional information, an interview, or a site visit. If a proposal clearly is not within the giving interests of the Foundation, the applicant will be notified immediately.

The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, Inc. shares offices and administrative staff with the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation, Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, Inc., Lettie Pate Evans Foundation, Inc., Ichauway, Inc. and the Robert W. Woodruff Health Sciences Center Fund, Inc. Grant inquiries or proposals submitted to the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, Inc. may also be considered by one or more of the foundations sharing this common administrative arrangement. It is not necessary to communicate separately with more than one of these foundations in seeking information or requesting grant support.

Initial approach: Letter
Copies of proposal: 1
Board meeting dates: April and November
Deadlines: February 1, September 1
Final Notification: Within 30 days of trustees' meeting.