The Mildred Miller Fort Foundation was established in 1992 by Mildred Miller Fort, a longtime resident and philanthropist from Columbus, with the goal of supporting charitable projects that improve quality of life across the Columbus community. From the Foundation’s founding until her death in 2005, Mrs. Fort personally chaired the Board of Trustees and guided the organization’s philanthropic vision.

Since its inception, the Foundation has focused its giving on five major areas:

Arts & Humanities

Education

Environmental Protection & Community Beautification

Health Care

Improvement of the Lives of the Underserved

The Foundation was created as a private grantmaking organization dedicated primarily to serving the greater Columbus area and surrounding communities. Over the years, it has become one of the region’s most impactful philanthropic organizations, contributing more than $52 million to nonprofit partners and community initiatives.

Today, the Foundation is overseen by an independent Board of Trustees that continues carrying forward Mildred Miller Fort’s original charitable mission. The Foundation is known for supporting large-scale, community-focused projects with lasting impact rather than small annual requests or fundraising events. Its grants often support transformational initiatives in healthcare, education, arts and culture, historic preservation, and services for underserved populations.

Over the years, recipients have included organizations such as:

United Way - Community Schools United

RiverCenter for the Performing Arts

Feeding the Valley

Historic Columbus

Piedmont Healthcare Bill & Olivia Amos Children’s Hospital

The Foundation continues to prioritize collaborative, high-impact nonprofit work that strengthens the cultural, educational, and social fabric of the Chattahoochee Valley region.