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The James M. Cox Foundation

Guidelines and Application

The James M. Cox Foundation provides funding for capital campaigns and special projects in communities where Cox Enterprises Inc. does business. The Foundation is concentrating its community support in several priority areas:

• Conservation and Environment
• Early Childhood Education
• Empowering Families and Individuals for Success
• Health

Giving Guidelines

You are eligible to submit a request for consideration if you are:

• A 501(c)(3) organization in good standing or equivalent governmental entity, and
• A charitable organization located in the United States and in an area where Cox Enterprises, Inc. does business, and
• Submitting a request for a special program or capital campaign.

Grants are limited to public charities when it is demonstrated that the proposed project or program will have a particular impact in one of our focus areas.  All funding requests must be submitted online.  The Foundation may require additional information, an interview or a site visit. 

    
The Foundation accepts proposals for funding from 501(c)(3) public charities (or the equivalent) in good standing located in the United States that fit within the following specific areas of focus: Conservation and Environment, Early Childhood Education, Empowering Families and Individuals for Success and Health. 

If you are located outside metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, in an area where Cox Enterprises or one of its subsidiaries is located, you will be required to submit a funding application that includes a letter of support from our local business manager. For a complete list of Cox businesses and information on specific Cox locations, view the location map. 

Awards for basic operating expenses usually are not granted.  We do not make grants to individuals nor do we provide loans to organizations or individuals.   

Grants are not provided for the following:

• Individuals or nonprofit organizations for the purpose of benefitting an individual;
• General operating purposes, salary expenses or other administrative costs;
• Seed money, or as the only funding source of an organization;
• Endowment funds;
• Conferences and seminars;
• Fundraising events or sponsorships (dinners, golf tournaments, walks/runs, benefits, raffles, tickets, tables, etc.);
• Organizations whose primary purpose is to influence legislation;
• Political causes, candidates, organizations or campaigns;
• Religious organizations for general operating support, sanctuary construction/renovation or mission-focused work.  However, we do consider requests from religious organizations with 501(c)(3) status to provide project-specific social services outreach programs that are not limited to a specific religious affiliation;
• Organizations or programs that discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, or physical disability.

If a request is not within the giving interests of the Foundation, the applicant will be notified as soon as possible.

When to Apply

Applications are accepted throughout the year and are considered by the Foundation trustees at the next scheduled board meeting. Applicants are required to wait at least one year from the date of any previous application before submitting a new request. 

How to Apply

If you are a first-time user, you will be asked to create an account using your email address and creating a password. This account allows you to:  

• Save unfinished application and return to complete later
• Track the history of your submitted applications

Note: If you have started an application and need to exit, please save and return to that application later. Beginning a new application creates a duplicate.

After creating an account, you will begin the application process.  First, you will be asked to complete an Eligibility Quiz to determine if you are eligible to submit a proposal.  If you pass the Eligibility Quiz, you will begin completing the application.

Please see the links below to preview information requested on an application, submit a new application, or return to a saved application:  

• Preview the information you will be asked to provide on the online application.  Once your application has been submitted, you will receive an email confirming receipt.
• Submit a New Application
• Return to a Saved Application

If you have any questions about eligibility, the application process or experience technical difficulties, you may contact us via email at coxfoundation@coxinc.com.

Learn more about our corporate contribution program.