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Foundation Lookup

Form 990-PFTax year 2025EIN 58-6001954

Joseph B Whitehead Foundation

A private foundation in Atlanta, GA. Its return for tax year 2025 lists 41 grants and $76.1 million paid in grants.

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Tax year 2025 (period ending Dec 31, 2025), read from the IRS e-file on Nov 11, 2026. Returns reach the IRS 5 to 18 months after the year they describe.

How to apply

Accepts applications

The return gives an application contact and rules, as below.

Contact
Erik S Johnson President
191 Peachtree St Suite 3540
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 522-6755
Form and materials
Application form not required. Proposals should be submitted via the Foundation's online application portal on its website. Before submitting a formal grant request, prospective grantees are encouraged to submit an informal inquiry to [email protected]. The grant request should be made in letter form and include the following information: - A description of the organization, its purposes, programs, staffing and governing board - The organization's latest financial statements including the most recent audit report - A description of the proposed project and full justification for its funding - An itemized project budget, including other sources of support in hand or anticipated - Evidence from the IRS of the organization's tax-exempt status and that the applying organization itself is not a private foundation.
Deadlines
Grants are considered in April and November for requests received by February 1 and August 15.
Restrictions
Grants are made to public charities that provide a full range of basic human services to citizens of metropolitan Atlanta. The Foundation has a particular interest in supporting organizations that serve children and youth. In recent years, the Foundation has concentrated a significant portion of its giving on improving the quality and accessibility of early childhood development programs in metro Atlanta, on increasing literacy rates, and on boosting college enrollment and graduation rates for Atlanta Public Schools graduates. Grants are reserved for well-established public charities with a broad base of community support. The Foundation provides support for capital projects and programmatic expenses. No grants are made to individuals.

Assets and giving by year

6 returns on file
Grants paid by tax year. The latest year is in blue.

  • Tax year 2025

    $76,134,821

    Grants listed
    41
    Assets, end of year
    $717,275,390

  • Tax year 2024

    $87,085,069

    Grants listed
    42
    Assets, end of year
    $406,203,252

  • Tax year 2023

    $103,833,578

    Grants listed
    47
    Assets, end of year
    $192,205,042

  • Tax year 2022

    $79,299,883

    Grants listed
    47
    Assets, end of year
    $161,682,970

  • Tax year 2021

    $70,200,626

    Grants listed
    40
    Assets, end of year
    $148,285,590

  • Tax year 2020

    $67,286,808

    Grants listed
    49
    Assets, end of year
    $126,495,959

Grants paid in 2025

41 grants, largest first

As listed on the return.

  1. United Way of Greater AtlantaAtlanta, GA

    Priority initiatives of Smart Start to improve the quality and accessibility of early childhood education in metro Atlanta.

    $15,939,786
  2. Community Foundation for Greater AtlantaAtlanta, GA

    For the Joseph B. Whitehead Fund to support Achieve Atlanta, an initiative to improve the postsecondary success of students in Atlanta Public Schools.

    $15,000,003
  3. Partners for HOMEAtlanta, GA

    Support of citywide strategy to develop new housing units and scale services for the homeless.

    $12,000,000
  4. Community Foundation for Greater AtlantaAtlanta, GA

    For the Joseph B. Whitehead Child Well-Being Fund.

    $7,500,002
  5. United Way of Greater AtlantaAtlanta, GA

    Priority initiatives of the Regional Commission on Homelessness.

    $5,000,000
  6. Atlanta Community Food BankAtlanta, GA

    Support of capacity-building needs to meet increased demand for food assistance.

    $2,100,000
  7. Atlanta Community Food BankAtlanta, GA

    $19.3 million campaign to expand food distribution capacity with capital and technology updates.

    $2,000,030
  8. Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro AtlantaChamblee, GA

    Operating support.

    $2,000,000
  9. Community Foundation for Greater AtlantaAtlanta, GA

    Support of Learn4Life's Atlanta Vision Project to provide vision care for elementary school students in metro Atlanta.

    $1,500,000
  10. Georgia Leadership Institute for School ImprovementDuluth, GA

    Operating support for organization working to improve K-12 public education through leadership development.

    $1,000,000
  11. Hope AtlantaAtlanta, GA

    Expansion of behavioral healthcare services as part of $10 million campaign.

    $1,000,000
  12. The Furniture Bank of Metro AtlantaAtlanta, GA

    $6.5 million campaign to acquire, renovate and equip a warehouse for organization providing furniture to people in need.

    $1,000,000
  13. Georgia Family Connection PartnershipAtlanta, GA

    Support of statewide network ($700,000) and dropout prevention cohort ($250,000).

    $950,000
  14. Communities in Schools of GeorgiaAtlanta, GA

    Operating support for CISGA, which works to improve students' academic performance and reduce dropout rates.

    $850,000
  15. Georgia Partnership for Excellence in EducationAtlanta, GA

    Operating support for organization working to improve K-12 public education through research and public policy.

    $675,000
  16. Georgia CASAAtlanta, GA

    Operating support for organization providing advocates for children in foster care.

    $600,000
  17. Teach For America - Metro AtlantaAtlanta, GA

    Support for the recruitment, training and placement of corps members in metro Atlanta schools.

    $550,000
  18. Chris 180Atlanta, GA

    Support to expand and retain therapist workforce.

    $500,000
  19. Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & PotentialAtlanta, GA

    Implementation of strategic plan to improve adolescent health outcomes.

    $500,000
  20. Junior Achievement of GeorgiaAtlanta, GA

    Establishment of the JA Discovery Center in Clayton County.

    $500,000
  21. Horizons AtlantaAtlanta, GA

    Addition of kindergarten cohorts for academic enrichment program.

    $450,000
  22. Bethany Christian ServicesMorrow, GA

    $5.75 million campaign to establish a permanent home for transitional foster care program and Atlanta offices.

    $400,000
  23. Center for the Visually ImpairedAtlanta, GA

    Implementation of strategic plan to strengthen and improve services for the visually impaired.

    $400,000
  24. Voices for Georgia's ChildrenAtlanta, GA

    Support of operations ($250,000) and the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network ($100,000).

    $350,000
  25. Georgia State University Research FoundationAtlanta, GA

    Support for the After-School All-Stars program and summer academy at Sylvan Hills Middle School and Hollis Innovation Academy.

    $300,000
  26. Los Ninos PrimeroSandy Springs, GA

    Support of summer program expansion.

    $300,000
  27. Neighborhood Meals on WheelsNorcross, GA

    $1.5 million campaign to construct a new kitchen to expand services for seniors in Gwinnett County.

    $300,000
  28. The Warrior AllianceAtlanta, GA

    Capital costs associated with expanding services for Georgia veterans.

    $300,000
  29. The Kindezi SchoolsAtlanta, GA

    Implementation of STEAM certification for public charter school network.

    $250,000
  30. Communities in Schools of AtlantaAtlanta, GA

    Expansion of dropout prevention program in Atlanta Public Schools.

    $230,000
  31. Georgia State University Research FoundationAtlanta, GA

    Expansion of ARCHI Community Resource Hubs to nine new sites to improve access to health and social services.

    $200,000
  32. The Leadership AcademyNew York, NY

    Expansion of leadership development program within Atlanta Public Schools.

    $200,000
  33. The Posse FoundationNew York, NY

    Support of program to recruit metro Atlanta high school students to attend selective colleges on full scholarships.

    $200,000
  34. LaAmistadAtlanta, GA

    Support to expand early learning programs, add math and reading coordinators, and improve data systems.

    $195,000
  35. America's Promise AllianceWashington, DC

    Launch of Atlanta Alliance to build capacity and collaboration across youth-serving organizations.

    $150,000
  36. DDD Foundation IncAtlanta, GA

    Expansion of dental clinic serving patients with developmental disabilities.

    $150,000
  37. Next Generation Men & WomenAtlanta, GA

    Expansion of college and career readiness program in metro Atlanta.

    $150,000
  38. ArtsNOWDuluth, GA

    Expansion of SmART Literacy initiative to improve K-3 literacy through arts integration at four metro Atlanta schools.

    $145,000
  39. Helping MamasDuluth, GA

    Relocation to a larger facility to expand distribution of essential baby supplies and hygiene products to families in crisis.

    $100,000
  40. The Center for Children & Young AdultsMarietta, GA

    Capital improvements to expand transitional living program for youth.

    $100,000
  41. Ventures ATLSandy Springs, GA

    Support to expand employment opportunities for individuals with autism and other developmental differences.

    $100,000

Approved for future payment

7 grants

Approved in 2025 and not yet paid.

  1. Christian CityUnion City, GA

    $18.2 million campaign to construct an early learning center, expand housing for transition-age foster youth, and make campus improvements.

    $1,500,000
  2. Community Foundation for Greater AtlantaAtlanta, GA

    Support of Learn4Life's Atlanta Vision Project to provide vision care for elementary school students in metro Atlanta.

    $1,500,000
  3. Georgia Justice ProjectAtlanta, GA

    $6.8 million campaign to acquire and renovate a new facility for organization providing legal and social services.

    $750,000
  4. Hope AtlantaAtlanta, GA

    Expansion of behavioral healthcare services as part of $10 million campaign.

    $750,000
  5. Chris 180Atlanta, GA

    Support to expand and retain therapist workforce.

    $500,000
  6. The Leadership AcademyNew York, NY

    Expansion of leadership development program within Atlanta Public Schools.

    $200,000
  7. America's Promise AllianceWashington, DC

    Launch of Atlanta Alliance to build capacity and collaboration across youth-serving organizations.

    $100,000

Where the money goes

By cause: grants to organizations we matched to the IRS list of exempt organizations, by their category.

  1. Philanthropy and grantmaking5 grants $44,939,79162% of the total
  2. Housing and shelter1 grant $12,000,00017% of the total
  3. Food and agriculture3 grants $4,400,0306% of the total
  4. Education7 grants $3,425,0005% of the total
  5. Youth development5 grants $3,095,0004% of the total
  6. Human services8 grants $2,880,0004% of the total
  7. 3 other causes4 grants $1,545,0002% of the total

By State

Grants to organizations with a US address, latest year.

  1. Georgia39 grants $75,784,821
  2. New York1 grant $200,000
  3. District of Columbia1 grant $150,000

Officers, directors and trustees

7 people as filed

As filed on the return, with average hours per week and pay from the foundation.

  • E Jenner Wood IIITrustee- Chair Hours 3Pay $35,000
  • Lawrence L Gellerstedt IIITrustee Hours 1Pay $25,000
  • Joseph A ArnoldTrustee Hours 1Pay $25,000
  • P Russell HardinPresident - retired 1/31/2025 Hours 8Pay $214,695
  • Erik S JohnsonPresident - elected 2/1/2025 Hours 8Pay $99,212
  • Eli P NiepokyTreasurer Hours 8Pay $74,774
  • Sara E BlalockSecretary - elected 2/1/2025 Hours 8Pay $51,093

The return

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