Grants

The Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation is an independent private foundation that seeks to help people in need in metro Atlanta, particularly children, by investing in education, health and economic opportunity.

Our Approach

We pursure our mission by responding to community needs, typically making grants to organizations with strong leadership and a broad base of support. The Foundation seeks to help organizations with the proven ability to meet ongoing needs stretch further than they could otherwise. Generally, the Foundation prefers not to be the principal funder for a project, but to participate with the community in supporting initiatives led by others. The Foundation will occasionally make leading grants when the need is great and the initiative is compelling.

Where We Fund

The Foundation’s grantmaking is limited to organizations located and operating in metro Atlanta, as defined by the United Way of Greater Atlanta to include Butts, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding and Rockdale counties. Organizations outside the 13-county metro area will not be considered.

What We Fund

The Foundation makes grant to qualified nonprofit organizations. Grants are typically awarded for capital needs, programs or other initiatives of well-established charitable organizations in the following program areas: Successful grant applicant share these characteristics:
  • Strong executive and volunteer leadership
  • Track record of sustainable operations
  • Broad base of financial support
  • Proven program effectiveness

What We Do Not Fund

  • Organizations that do not have 501(c)(3) status
  • Organizations without a presence in metro Atlanta
  • Churches or their denominational programs
  • Conferences
  • Debt relief
  • Endowments
  • Festivals, performances or exhibits
  • Films or documentaries
  • Fundraising events
  • Individuals
  • Individual public schools
  • Individual research products
  • Loans
  • Political campaigns or lobbying activities
  • Professional associations
  • Private schools
  • Sponsorships or special events
  • Startup organizations or seed funding