FAQ

For additional questions about our grantmaking programs or process, please contact Jenny Zhang Morgan.

Before You Apply 

  • Review our program interests and grants awarded. We encourage you to submit an informal inquiry to fdns@woodruff.org to determine if your request is a fit for funding. If you believe your request is a fit, follow the instructions on our How to Apply page to submit a full proposal. 

  • Yes. Our grantmaking is limited to organizations in the 13-county metro Atlanta region which includes Butts, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, and Rockdale counties. 

  • 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. 

  • We prefer to consider requests on a year-by-year basis and work with organizations to determine the appropriate timing for a grant based on a project’s schedule. 

  • Review the guidelines on our How to Apply page for a detailed list of what we do not fund. 

  • No, we do not typically provide startup or seed funding for new organizations or help launch affiliates of national organizations. However, we do not require organizations to operate for a minimum number of years before considering a grant. Rather, we consider organizations with strong executive and board leadership, a track record of sustainable operations, a broad base of financial support from local donors, proven effectiveness meeting community needs with measurable impact, and the capacity to reach fundraising goals and sustain work long-term. 

  • No, we do not make grants to individuals but only to registered 501(c)(3) organizations. We encourage individuals to use the United Way of Greater Atlanta’s 211 or Find Help Georgia for assistance. 

  • We do not support independent schools. We consider support for charter schools that provide quality seats to high-need student populations, with a preference for locally-authorized charters. 

  • The Joseph B. Whitehead, Lettie Pate Evans and Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundations were founded by members of the Whitehead family. These Foundations share an office and a staff with the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, though each is led by an independent Board of Trustees. Robert W. Woodruff was a good friend and trusted advisor to Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans, and their Foundations agreed on a common administrative arrangement to allow for greater flexibility and efficiency in responding to community needs. 

Applying for Funding 

    • Explore Grants Awarded to better understand the types of projects we fund. 

    • Reach out to the Foundation well before the grant deadline to determine if your request is a fit for funding. First-time grantseekers may submit an informal inquiry to fdns@woodruff.org. Organizations that have an existing relationship with the Foundation may reach out to their program officer. 

    • Secure other funding (in hand or pledges) before submitting a request. We prefer not to be the only or lead funder of an initiative. You should make significant fundraising progress with other donors, including your board, before approaching us for a grant. We will not make a grant without confidence that you can meet your fundraising goal and sustain work long-term. 

  • No, you do not need to submit separate grant requests. A request submitted to any of our Foundations will be considered by the others. 

  • Yes. We prefer to receive audited financial statements but can accept your most recent Form 990. If you are providing audited financials, you do not need to submit a Form 990 as well. 

  • We prefer requests that are concise and to the point. Grant request letters are usually no more than 5 pages long, not including required attachments (see How to Apply for more information). 

  • Please avoid submitting additional materials outside of required attachments, e.g. press kits, newsletters, annual reports or campaign brochures. These materials are not required for our review of your proposal. Architectural drawings are helpful if you are seeking support for a capital project. 

  • We accept grant requests throughout the year. Our two deadlines are: 

    • February 1 – Proposals received by the first business day on or after February 1 will be considered for the April meeting of our Board of Trustees. You will receive an email notifying you of the Trustees’ decision within one week of the meeting. 

    • August 15 – Proposals received by the first business day on or after August 15 will be considered for the November meeting of our Board of Trustees. You will receive an email notifying you of the Trustees’ decision within one week of the meeting. 

  • Grant requests are reviewed by our president, grants program director and program officers. If your request does not meet our eligibility requirements or falls outside of our program interests, we will notify you promptly by email. If your request is accepted for consideration at the next meeting of our Board of Trustees, we will contact you for a meeting or site visit. Grant decisions are made by Trustees at the board meeting based on the merits of your request and the priorities of the Foundation. About one in five requests is approved for funding in any given year. 

After the Grant Decision 

  • After Trustees approve your request, you will receive a grant letter within one week of our board meeting. If your grant has been approved on a conditional basis, the terms will be specified in your grant letter and we will pay the commitment after you show in writing that conditions have been met. If no conditions are specified, we will disburse funds based on the timing of the project. 

  • If you have a new and extraordinary one-time need, we may consider your request. However, we typically do not provide additional support for projects or campaigns we have already funded. Also, we will not consider a new request until we receive a grant report for the most recently funded request. 

    We cannot be encouraging about grant requests we have already declined. Unless otherwise specified, please do not submit the same request in a different grant cycle. 

  • You are free to identify our support within your organization and in your communications with other prospective donors. The Foundation is not anonymous, but it does not seek publicity for its grantmaking. Our intention is for grantees to receive the credit and attention due them for their work. Please consult your program officer regarding any media interviews, press releases or publications concerning specific grants. 

  • Yes, we request written annual reports until all grant funds have been expended and a final report at the conclusion of the project. Reporting requirements are specified in your grant letter. We prefer concise reports that are no more than 5 pages long. Reports should be submitted through our online grant portal.

  • All information is kept confidential, including any photos provided. We use the information internally to ensure grant funds are spent according to the intended purpose, to evaluate the effectiveness of our grants programs, and to inform future funding decisions.