Inspiredu

Grants | How to Apply

How to Apply

We invest in metro Atlanta to ensure everyone, especially children, have the opportunity to thrive. 

Eligibility

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 budget over $500,000 

We do not fund individuals, churches, conferences, debt relief, fundraising events, professional associations, sponsorships or startups. 

Grantmaking Guidelines

We seek to help organizations with a proven track record stretch further to seize new opportunities or to accelerate impact. Most grants support one-time needs rather than ongoing program or operating needs. 

We prefer not to be the only funder for a project but to participate with other donors in supporting initiatives led by nonprofit partners. Organizations should make significant fundraising progress before approaching the Foundation for a grant. 

Successful applicants demonstrate:

  • Strong executive leadership and governance by a board that invests in the organization’s success

  • Sustainable operations, i.e. consistently operates in the black with a diversified revenue model

  • A broad base of financial support from other donors

  • Proven effectiveness meeting community needs with measurable impact

  • Capacity to reach fundraising goals and sustain work long-term

Application Process

1. Review Guidelines

Review our grantmaking guidelines and program interests. Please email an informal inquiry to fdns@woodruff.org to determine if you should apply for a grant. 

2. Grant Submission

Submit a request online by clicking “Submit Grant Request Letter” below. The Foundation moved to Blackbaud’s YourCause grant portal in January 2025, which requires organizations to set up a new account. After logging in, you will be asked to enter your organization’s Tax ID number and complete a short eligibility quiz.

If you are eligible to apply for a grant, please provide contact information and the following materials uploaded as a single PDF:

  • Grant request letter that is prepared on letterhead, dated, signed by leadership and addressed to Erik S. Johnson, President of the Woodruff, Whitehead and Evans Foundations. Letters should be concise and no more than 5 pages before attachments. Please include the following in your letter.

    • Organization: Describe your organization’s mission, history, programs and impact. If applicable, include measurable outcomes, significant partnerships, and population served (please share demographic and geographic information if available).

    • Funding request: Describe the initiative for which you seek support, including the challenge you will address, project goals, implementation timeline, expected outcomes, and capacity to achieve your goals. If the initiative adds costs to your annual budget, please share how you will fund those costs long-term.

  • Itemized project budget, including all major categories of expenses. If personnel are part of your budget, please indicate the number of staff.

  • Operating budget, including budgeted and actual amounts for all major income and expense categories for your current fiscal year.

  • Fundraising status report, including all sources of support in hand or anticipated. Please include totals.

  • Financial statements, including most recent audit report.

  • Board list, including name, title and professional affiliation for each member. Please note officers.

  • Current IRS determination letter.

Add any staff who should have access to the application by clicking “Manage Applicants” in the grant portal. Save and return to an application by clicking “Return to Saved Grant Request” below.

Submit Grant Request Letter →
Return to Saved Grant Request →

3. Grant Review

Grant requests are reviewed by our president, grants program director and program officers. If your request is clearly not within the giving interests of the Foundation, we will notify you promptly.

4. Grant Acceptance

If your request is accepted for consideration at the next meeting of our Board of Trustees, we will contact you for a meeting or a visit.

5. Grant Decisions

All grant decisions are made by Trustees at board meetings. We will notify you of grant decisions within one week of the Board of Trustees meeting.

Application Deadline

FEBRUARY 1
Proposals 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
Proposals received by the first business day on or after August 15 will be considered at the November meeting of our Board of Trustees.

Questions?

Please review our FAQs for answers to common questions. If you have additional questions about our grantmaking programs or process, please contact Jenny Zhang Morgan. If you need technical assistance with our grant portal, please contact Emily Patteson.