The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation is a charitable organization that supports education, health care, human services, economic development, art and culture, and the environment through grants ranging from thousands of dollars to millions of dollars. Established in 1937, the foundation primarily focuses on giving to organizations and endeavors that serve Georgia, but exceptions have been made for outstanding organizations that promote the well-being of mankind throughout the United States.
The foundation was established by Robert Woodruff, the long-time president of the Coca-Cola Company. The foundation is endowed from the estates of Woodruff and his wife. In an effort to remain anonymous, Woodruff originally named it the Trebor Foundation. (Trebor is"Robert" spelled backward.) The foundation, which was renamed after Woodruff's death in 1985, was endowed with a few million dollars at its start and has grown to about $2.6 billion.
The Woodruff Foundation shares an office and staff with the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation, Lettie Pate Evans Foundation and Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, though each is governed by its own board and charter.
Program Areas
The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation makes grants in the following program areas:
Health
The Foundation invests in medical education, research and policy development in Georgia. It focuses on improvements to health access and outcomes, particularly for low-income and underserved populations.
Education
The Foundation supports the state’s private colleges and public research institutions. It also invests in systemic improvements to K-12 public education and occasionally supports select independent schools in metro Atlanta.
Environment
The Foundation’s environmental giving is focused on the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center. It also makes grants for Atlanta parks and green spaces, land conservation projects in partnership with the State of Georgia, and environmental education.
Human Services
The Foundation invests at the state level in initiatives to improve the quality of life of Georgia’s children and their families. It also supports Atlanta-based child welfare and youth development organizations as well as adult and family services.
Arts & Culture
The Foundation supports major arts and cultural institutions in Atlanta and occasionally makes grants outside of Atlanta for arts and cultural projects that also promote community development.
Community Development
The Foundation primarily invests in the economic development of metro Atlanta. It also makes grants to organizations that support philanthropy and the nonprofit community.
