Abstract Exact solutions for functionally graded thick plates are presented based on the three-dimensional theory of elasticity. The plate is assumed isotropic at any point, while material properties to vary exponentially through the thickness. The system of governing partial differential equations is reduced to an ordinary one about the thickness coordinate by expanding the state variables into infinite dual series of trigonometric functions. Interactions between the Winkler–Pasternak elastic foundation and the plate are treated as boundary conditions. The problem is finally solved using the state space method. Effects of stiffness of the foundation, loading cases, and gradient index on mechanical responses of the plates are discussed. It is established that elastic foundations affects significantly the mechanical behavior of functionally graded thick plates. Numerical results presented in the paper can serve as benchmarks for future analyses of functionally graded thick plates on elastic foundations.