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

MRBF Launches CEO Search

The board and staff of the Babcock Foundation have formally launched our search for our next CEO. We hope our grantee and philanthropic partners will take a look at our announcement and consider whether they know excellent folks who fit the bill. This is an exciting time to join the Foundation....

Micah Gilmer

MRBF Announces Interim CEO

Babcock Foundation trustee Dr. Micah Gilmer has agreed to serve as Interim CEO for the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation. Gilmer is Cofounder and Senior Partner of Frontline Solutions , a Black-owned consulting firm dedicated to making the world more just for all. In that role, Gilmer leads the...

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...

MRBF

Issues

Places

  • MRBF Launches CEO Search

    The board and staff of the Babcock Foundation have formally launched our search for our next CEO. We hope our grantee and philanthropic partners will take a look at our announcement and consider whether they know excellent folks who fit the bill. This is an exciting time to join the Foundation. We are adding new employees to help us grow our impact across our 11-state Southern region. We are...

  • MRBF Announces Interim CEO

    Babcock Foundation trustee Dr. Micah Gilmer has agreed to serve as Interim CEO for the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation. Gilmer is Cofounder and Senior Partner of Frontline Solutions , a Black-owned consulting firm dedicated to making the world more just for all. In that role, Gilmer leads the consulting team, supports staff in their work with clients, and works closely with senior leaders at...

    Micah Gilmer

  • This is Personal: Our Statement on Anti Asian Violence

    The board and staff of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation send our deepest condolences to the families of the eight people killed in Georgia this week, six of them Asian women. While the investigation continues, the horrific attacks by a 21-year-old white man cannot be separated from America’s long, ugly history of white supremacy, structural racism, socioeconomic inequity and misogyny....

  • 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....