The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation supports transformational, lasting solutions that improve quality of life in metro Atlanta and Georgia.
The Foundation works to strengthen metro Atlanta and Georgia by funding durable, high-impact responses to community needs.
Robert W. Woodruff established the Trebor Foundation in 1937 after making a major gift to Emory University in memory of family members affected by cancer. His philanthropy grew from a quiet commitment to Atlanta’s health, education, cultural, civic and environmental institutions. The Foundation continues to reflect his giving priorities and has awarded more than 2,300 grants since 1937.
The Foundation funds Georgia-based 501(c)(3) public charities, with most grants concentrated in metro Atlanta. It generally supports one-time needs, capital priorities and capacity-building efforts rather than ongoing operations. Applicants are expected to show strong leadership, sustainable finances, measurable impact and support from other donors.
The Foundation has awarded more than 2,300 grants totaling $4.2 billion since 1937. In 2025, it paid $190.3 million across 26 grants. More than 96% of annual spending goes directly to grantmaking.
The Woodruff Foundation shares an office and staff with the Joseph B. Whitehead, Lettie Pate Evans and Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundations, while each foundation is governed by an independent Board of Trustees.
The Foundation states that it operates with relatively lean staffing and overhead to direct more resources toward grants. It encourages prospective applicants to review program interests, explore awarded grants and submit an informal inquiry before applying. It also states that about one in five grant requests is approved in a given year.