Helping to Move People and Places out of Poverty

Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation

Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation

The Babcock Foundation partners with organizations and networks working to alleviate poverty and increase social and economic justice in 11 Southern states. We believe in democracy, opportunity and the power of partnerships, and we follow the lead of local experts who know what their communities need to thrive.

We support collaborative, multi-strategy, place-based work focused on democracy and civic engagement, economic opportunity, and supportive policies and institutions. We believe sustained, general-support grants are critical to helping organizations remain nimble and effective. In addition to grantmaking, we make strategic investments aligned with our mission and values. 

Established in 1953 with a $12 million bequest from Mary Reynolds Babcock, in its early days the Foundation supported historically black colleges and universities, grassroots advocacy groups, voter education and government accountability efforts – a unique legacy for Southern family philanthropy. 

The values that guided the Foundation in those days – fairness, democracy, equity and opportunity – continue to be our North Star today. 

Our Mission & Vision

Grants

Stories

Latino Community Fund-Georgia

Celebrating 2020 (Yes, Really)

We are in an era of transition, opportunity and hope. A new federal administration is beginning to address the atrocities and negligence of the previous one. Two new senators...

ProGeorgia

Toward a New Democracy

“Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part.” John Lewis

It’s often said we don’t realize when we’re living through history. The events of this week are unmistakably historic, for better and for worse.

Georgians elected their first...

Welcome our Chief Equity Officers

All of us at the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation are thrilled to welcome two new staff members who will help us advance our equity work and that of our grantee partners. Both chief equity officers will serve on the equity, program and management teams, enhance our programs, learning and culture...

MRBF

Issues

Places

  • Celebrating 2020 (Yes, Really)

    We are in an era of transition, opportunity and hope. A new federal administration is beginning to address the atrocities and negligence of the previous one. Two new senators – one Black, one Jewish – are making history by representing Georgia. COVID vaccine distributions...

    Latino Community Fund-Georgia

  • CEO Justin Maxson leaving MRBF

    With deep gratitude for his six years of dedication and service, the board and staff of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation announce the departure of CEO Justin Maxson, who has accepted the position of USDA Deputy Undersecretary for Rural Development in the Biden-Harris Administration....

  • Toward a New Democracy

    “Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part.” John Lewis

    It’s often said we don’t realize when we’re living through history. The events of this week are unmistakably historic, for better and for worse.

    Georgians elected their first Black senator and first Jewish senator, a culmination of the diligent, aligned work of organizers...

    ProGeorgia

  • Seeding a Better, More Equitable Normal

    This article originally appeared as a guest post on the Center for Effective Philanthropy's website on November 10, 2020.

    If 2020 has reinforced any lesson, it is that the people and organizations seeking to advance social, economic, and racial justice need flexibility and stability to adapt to whiplashing context changes in already hostile environments. Those of us...

    Communities Unlimited

  • Welcome our Chief Equity Officers

    All of us at the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation are thrilled to welcome two new staff members who will help us advance our equity work and that of our grantee partners. Both chief equity officers will serve on the equity, program and management teams, enhance our programs, learning and culture, and manage grant portfolios. Given their backgrounds and expertise expanding equity in the South,...