PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS

ANNENBERG/CPB
Internet Prospector, August '95
Though funding deadlines have passed, Annenberg/CPB is a site worth visiting periodically by players in multi-media instruction, online education, curriculum development and math/science education. Why bother? The reason is that Annenberg/CPB is synonymous with funding projects that employ audio-visual and computer and information technologies to advance education. In their own words:

Since 1981 the Annenberg/CPB Project has given $90 million to create more than 50 college-level video and audio courses and 25 demonstration projects that use computer and information technologies to make education more accessible for all students. Their initiatives for 1995 were for higher education and math and science education. They will announce new initiatives and guidelines via their Web site at:http://www.cpb.org/annenberg/

ARCHSTONE
Internet Prospector, September '97
Created in 1985 when the non-profit FHP health maintenance organization converted to a for-profit entity, FHP Foundation (now Archstone) is interested in:

 - Addressing the needs of caregivers of the elderly;
 ­ Contributing toward preparing society to deal with
   a rapidly aging population in the United States;
 ­ End-of-life issues;
 ­ Direct delivery of services to noninstitutionalized
   seniors, with an emphasis on Southern California.

BENTON FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, June '95
Here is a communications and access and policy oriented foundation.
http://www.cdinet.com/Benton/Home/

BERLEX FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, Sept. '99
     Established in 1986 by the Berlex Laboratories, Inc., the
     Berlex Foundation funds research in reproductive medicine.
     It offers the following programs:

       * Berlex Scholar Award in Basic Science Research
       * Berlex Scholar Award in Clinical Research
         Berlex Faculty Development Award
       * Reproductive Scientist Development Program
         The C.D. Christian Lectureship

     Programs marked with an asterisk provided awards from
     $25,000 to $50,000.  Guidelines and application forms are
     available at the Berlex Foundation Web site.
     http://www.berlex-foundation.com/
 

BMI FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, March '99
Aspiring songwriters among you may already know about BMI: 
they're a "music performing rights organization," which 
means -- if they represent you -- they also collect the
royalties when others use your songs.  Their foundation,
unsurprisingly, helps individual composers and musicians
via awards and scholarship in genres stretching from
classical, jazz and pop to musical theater.  For details,
visit their web site.
http://foundation@bmi.com/home_s.html

BRADLEY (LYNDE & HARRY) FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, June '96
Another biggie, the L & H Bradley Foundation has set up shop on the Internet. According to their Purpose statement this foundation's

"...programs support limited, competent government; a dynamic marketplace for economic, intellectual, and cultural activity; and a vigorous defense at home and abroad of American ideas and institutions. In addition, recognizing that responsible self-government depends on enlightened citizens and informed public opinion, the Foundation supports scholarly studies and academic achievement." Learn more about this foundation at:
http://www.bradleyfdn.org/

BULLITT FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, July '98
Based in Seattle, Washington, the Bullitt Foundation  emphasizes environmental protection and restoration within  the Pacific Northwest.  Bullitt's priorities includes eight  programmatic areas:  Salish Sea, Columbia River Basin, Open  Space, Growth Management & Transportation, Northwest  Forests, Energy, Environmental Justice and Other  Environmental Concerns.

Giving goes mainly to environmental citizen groups within  Washington, Oregon, Idaho, western Montana, southern Alaska  and British Columbia. The foundation provides giving  summaries by both geographical and program areas. The site also includes information regarding past grantees, application procedures, issues, news and Q&A.  Look under  "News" for more on their staff and trustees, the president's  report and financial summaries.
http://www.bullitt.org/

BARBARA BUSH FOUNDATION FOR FAMILY LITERACY
Internet Prospector, September '99
     Named after the former first lady, this foundation's
     grant making policy seeks to promote literacy projects for
     the whole family.  "The mission of the Barbara Bush
     Foundation for Family Literacy is:  To establish literacy as
     a value in every family in America, by helping every family
     in the nation understand that the home is the child's first
     school, that the parent is the child's first teacher, and
      reading is the child's first subject..."

     The Foundation has awarded over $6,000,000 since its
     inception in 1989.  The national grant program awards about
     $500,000 per year to family literacy programs across the
     country.  Guidelines, applications and a list of past
     grantees are located at:
     http://www.barbarabushfoundation.com/

CARNEGIE CORPORATION
Internet Prospector, June '95
Carnegie Corporation of New York: one of the venerable private foundations with an interest in science, policy, and international development, among other things.
http://www.carnegie.org

ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, October '96
Jim Casey, one of the founders of the United Parcel Service empire, founded with his siblings this foundation in honor of their mother, Annie E. Casey. With $1 billion in assets, the Foundation is the biggest foundation in the United States dedicated to one cause--disadvantaged children.

Guidelines under AEC Initiatives is under construction, so refer to your favorite foundation directories until they have completed work on this section. You can, however, read their press information and browse some AEC publications at:
http://www.aecf.org/

COLUMBIA FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, June '98
This San Francisco based foundation focuses on giving mostly within the Bay area and in these areas:

Arts & Culture (San Francisco and London), Human Rights (San Francisco & National Programs), Preservation of Wilderness Ecosystems and Biological Diversity (Northern California), Sustainable Urban Community Development (San Francisco).

C.S. FUND
Internet Prospector, October '96
The C.S. Fund employs an interesting alternative to establishing a website. A grantseeker sends an e-mail message to: brochure@csfund.org You don't have to put anything in the message body.

This will return the Fund's most current guidelines to your mailbox. As methods go, this is an efficient way to disseminate organizational information without going the website route.

Once you get their text brochure you'll learn that the C.S. Fund concentrates its philanthropic activities on projects and programs of international or national significance in two major areas:

• Dissent

Goals include:

Protecting the right to dissent and hold divergent opinions. Preserving society's right to hold accountable all of its institutions and officials, both public and private.

• Environment

Conserving the rich diversity of food crop and livestock germplasm. Preventing the irreversible alternation of the earth's genetic legacy. Reducing or eliminating the production of toxic materials. Assessing the total burden of toxins on the biosphere and acting to reduce that burden.

WILLIAM H. DONNER FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, October '97
US-Canadian relations, education and human capital characterize the William H. Donner Foundation's primary interests. Their Web site includes information on: the foundation, its trustees, a biographical profile on the founder, grant making policies, grant listings and detailed descriptions of their programs.
http://www.donner.org

DOROT FAMILY FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, July '98
Here's a foundation located in Providence, Rhode Island  that's dedicated to "nurturing the relationship between"  Israel and the Jewish Community in North America.  Come to  this site to read about the "Dorot Fellowship in Israel," a  one-year program to live and study in Israel. It's open to  young Jewish people in their 20's-30's.  Visit their site  for application details and form.
http://www.dorot.org/

JOSEPH DROWN FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, April '98
This Los Angeles-based foundation came into being in 1953 through the generosity of hotelier Joseph Drown (1906-1982), who owned the famous Belair Hotel. Current funding priorities reflect Mr. Drown's interests in K-12 education in both public and private schools, medical and scientific research (grants initiated by the foundation), arts and humanities (mainly for education and outreach), community health and social services, and special projects. Most grant making is limited to California. For details on the foundation's mission, funding guidelines and application procedures visit:
http://www.jdrown.org/

THE ENERGY FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, July '96
The Energy Foundation is the collective offspring of three parent foundations: the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Rockefeller Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. These philanthropic giants pooled their expertise and resources in 1991 to create a new foundation dedicated to solving the nation's energy problems. Thus the mission of the Energy Foundation is to "assist in the nation's transition to a sustainable energy future by promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy. Program interests include:

• Utilities,
• Buildings,
• Transportation,
• Renewable Energy, and
• Integrated Issues

EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
Internet Prospector, July '95
Medical schools take note. The Epilepsy Foundation of America supports an extensive award programs for epilepsy research, training and exchange. EFA's robust grant program supports the most senior scientists to the aspiring student. Awards range from $2,000 to $40,000 depending on the program.

For criteria and deadlines on these various programs, visit EFA at:
http://www.efa.org/what/research/grants.htm

LETTIE PATE EVANS FOUNDATION INC.
Internet Prospector, Oct. '99
The grant program of the Lettie Pate Evans Foundation
reflects a "strong emphasis" in the following areas:
     private secondary and higher education
     arts and culture
     museums and historic preservation
Preference is for one-time capital projects.
http://www.lpevans.org/main.html

A.J. FLETCHER FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, June '98
According to their web literature:

     The A. J. Fletcher Foundation provides financial support to a broad range of nonprofit organizations in North Carolina. Although its primary focus has traditionally been on education, the Foundation Board will consider requests from agencies and organizations addressing a wide variety of social issues and charitable endeavors.

The funding mix appears to include arts and humanities, children and youth programs, scholarships, and community and human service initiatives.
http://www.ajf.org/

FORD FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, February '97
The first thing that greets you when you visit the Ford Foundation's web site is an image of a globe that surrounds an animated image of people in all their diversity. The complete picture is a simple, yet elegant translation of the Foundation's dedication to democratic values, social justice and peace. This elegance extends from the home page to a highly functional, easy to navigate web site that simplifies learning about and communicating with the Foundation. Here you can tap into their Mission Statement, as well as the Annual and the Ford Foundation Reports, and program and grant descriptions---for starters.
http://www.fordfound.org/

FREDDIE MAC FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, August '98
This foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Freddie Mac Corporation, a home finance company.  According to their  mission statement:

"The Freddie Mac Foundation is dedicated to brightening the  future of children, youth and families at risk. We fulfill  this mission by providing funds to nonprofit organizations  working to improve outcomes for children and their families.  In addition, the Foundation is a strong advocate for  children, youth and families, supporting policies and  programs that focus attention on their needs and foster  positive solutions."

Geographic focus seems to be in the Washington, D.C. area,  specific counties in Virginia and Maryland, although the  literature seems in suggest that they will consider programs having a national scope.

The site provides information on:  giving areas,  guidelines/grants, volunteerism, mission statement and  leadership.
http://www.freddiemacfoundation.org/

FREEDOM FORUM
Internet Prospector, June '95
The Freedom Forum is the offspring of the Gannett news media empire. The Freedom Forum dedicates itself to preserving first amendment rights.
http://www.freedomforum.org

FRIENDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Internet Prospector, July '95
The Friends of the Environment is a Canadian operating foundation that supports environmental projects. The organization raised in the neighborhood of $6 million for nearly 3000 environmental projects in Canada, and is noteworthy for yet another reason: The Friends of the Environment has taken a bold step by putting their grant application on-line. This is IP's first encounter with a non-governmental grantmaking agency with an Web-based electronic grant application form. Let's hope this becomes a trend.
http://www.fef.ca/fef/index.html
 

GERMAN MARSHALL FUND OF THE UNITED STATES
Internet Prospector, October '98
Institutions arise when we forget their origins.  For example, the German Marshall Fund of the United States has been around for over 25 years and has worked its way into various U.S. foundation guides; yet, the Fund was in fact established with a DM150 million gift by Germany to United States in 1972. The aim of this generosity is articulated in their statement:

"The German gift created an American foundation intended to work not only in Germany, but in all of Europe. The gift was renewed by Germany in 1986, bringing the total to DM245 million.

In its two and a half decades of work within the United States and Europe, the Fund has followed its founding mission to create a closer understanding between partners on both sides of the Atlantic. The Fund's grantmaking promotes the study of international and domestic policies, supports comparative research and debate on key issues, and assists policy and opinion leaders' understanding of these issues."

The Fund's program interests span Economics, Environment, Immigration, Policy and Opinion Leaders and the Marshall Memorial Fellowship.

http://www.gmfus.org/

J. PAUL GETTY TRUST
Internet Prospector, June '95
An operating foundation, the Trust harnesses technology to further its mission to contribute to "the vitality of the visual arts in the areas of conservation, scholarship, and education." This site is a must for all universities with art conservation, art conservation and museum studies programs. Likely you will see new directions for future art scholarship being outlined at:
http://www.ahip.getty.edu/

ELIZABETH GLASSER PEDIATRIC AIDS FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, April '98
As the name implies, the Elizabeth Glasser Pediatric Aids Foundation supports basic medical research on pediatric HIV/AIDS. To achieve this goal, the foundation awards grants in the following areas: the Elizabeth Glasser Scientist Award, basic research grants, Scholar Awards, Short-term Scientific Awards, Emergency Assistance and Student Intern Awards. For more information about this foundation visit:
http://www.pedAIDS.org/

GLOBAL FUND FOR WOMEN
Internet Prospector, March '95
Here's a foundation that got it right on the Internet. There's a good description of the foundation's mission and programs, as well as proposal guidelines. The staff directory includes bios. To top it off, they have a faq section. The only thing missing is sample grants. Funding includes seed money for women's well-being and for their full participation in global society. Emphasis is upon groups that demonstrate a clear commitment to women's equality and female human rights; are governed and directed primarily by women; and may be unlikely to obtain funding from other sources.
http://www.ai.mit.edu/people/ellens/gfw.html

GRANTS FOR ARTISTS
Internet Prospector, July '97
The Pollock-Krasner Foundation, Inc. offers support within the $1,000 to $30,000 range for one year to professional artists based on artistic merit and financial need. Eligible arts include: "painters, sculptors, and artists who work on paper, including print makers." For more information, visit:
http://www.pkf.org/

JOHN SIMON GUGGENHEIM MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, June '95
Like many of its philanthropic peers, this foundation exclusively supports individuals. So to many scholars and creative individuals, the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation exerts a mystical pull. Show the literate, learned, and artistic among your faculty the way:
http://www.gf.org/

HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE: GRANTSNET
Internet Prospector, March '98
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) and the American Association for the Advancement of  Science (AAAS)  unveiled a new site on the Internet that offers  young scientists an unparalleled collection of information on how to obtain support for research and advanced training in the biomedical sciences. GrantsNet provides an extensive database on fellowships, grants and other sources of support for young biomedical scientists. The site also features links to the Web sites of funders, online applications, stories about previous fellowship recipients and comments from recent application reviewers.
http://www.grantsnet.org

ITTLESON FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, Sept. '98
This New York-based foundation was established in 1932 by Henry Ittleson, founder of the CIT Financial Corporation. According to their literature:

"In 1948, the Foundation began to focus its interests on the fields of health, welfare, public education for mental health, and intercultural relations."

Current program interests include AIDS, the Environment and Mental Health.

For details visit their site or download their Annual Report and Guidelines.
http://www.ittlesonfoundation.org/

RICHARD IVEY FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, October. '99
     This Canadian Foundation supports programs in: 

      - Biodiversity in Forest-Dominated Ecosystems
      - Information Technology in Health Care
      - General Program

     The latter encompasses "projects in health care, education, 
     social services, the environment and arts and culture." 

     Grant range: $5,000-500,000.
     http://www.ivey.org/index.html

ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON
Internet Prospector, June '95
In matters of health and medicine, RWJ stands as a giant in land populated by medically oriented philanthropies. It's the largest health care philanthropy in the U.S. and according to its web literature emphasizes: assuring access to basic health services; improving the way services are organized and provided to people with chronic health conditions; promoting health and preventing disease by reducing harm from substance abuse; seeking opportunities to help the nation address the problem of escalating health care costs. The RWJ site also lists 1994 grants, Officers and Trustees, and much more.
http://www.rwjf.org

JOYCE FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, October '98
If you live in the Great Lakes Region (see note below), you're in luck. The Joyce Foundation is in your neighborhood.  According to their mission statement:

  THE JOYCE FOUNDATION supports efforts to protect the   natural environment of the Great Lakes, to reduce   poverty and violence in the region, and to ensure that   its people have access to good schools, decent jobs,   and a diverse and thriving culture. We are especially   interested in improving public policies, because public   systems such as education and welfare directly affect   the lives of so many people, and because public policies   help shape private sector decisions about jobs, the   environment, and the health of our communities. To ensure   that public policies truly reflect public rather than   private interests, we support efforts to reform the   system of financing election campaigns.

Their program areas cover Education, Employment, environment, Gun Violence, Money and Politics, and Culture (Chicago only).

Note:  For the geographically challenged, such as myself, the Great Lakes Region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. (They do, however, make a limited number of environmental grants in Canada.)
http://www.joycefdn.org/

THE W.M. KECK FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, November '97
See also the PROSPECTOR's interview with the W.M. Keck Foundation

When the W.M. Keck Foundation uses the word "visionary, it has special significance because they are quite comfortable on the frontiers of scientific knowledge, technological innovation and education. Remember, this is the foundation that invested $130 million to build two highly advanced telescopes so that astronomers could look farther back in time for answers about the origins of the universe. It is also the foundation that gave $50 million to establish the Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences at Harvey Mudd College. Their vision for the institute is a lightning rod raised to capture the dynamic advances and energies rippling through the biological sciences and harness it with engineering expertise.

How fitting that a foundation with such a progressive bent should venture out into new territory and establish its presence on the World Wide Web at
http://www.wmkeck.org/

At their new Web site at you will learn that the Los Angeles-based W.M. Keck Foundation:

• Supports science, engineering, medical resesarch and higher education nationally. Giving to the arts, health care, hospitals, precollege programs and civic services is managed through their regional Southern California Grant Program.
• Is one of the largest private philanthropies with assests of $1,166,251,141 in 1996.

Awarded 59 grants during 1996 totalling $39,000,000 for the 

areas listed below:



        PROGRAM                         GRANTS

        Science & Engineering           32 

        Medical Research and Education  7 

        Liberal Arts                    5

        Southern California Program     15

KING FAISAL FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, November '96
We don't get many Kings on the Internet, at least not on IP's turf, and certainly not any willing to give away $93,000 for prizes that bear King Faisal's name.

According to the foundation description, the King Faisal Foundation: "seeks to preserve Islamic values, make education and health facilities available to those who might otherwise not have access, promote cultural programmes and raise the standards of living for the less fortunate, particularly in developing nations."

The foundation, however, is best known to US universities for its sponsorship of the King Faisal International Prize, a sought after honor that bestows, in addition to the aforesaid $93,000, a gold medal, and international prestige. The Prize rewards various achievements related to Islam, as well as science and medicine.
http://www.aols.com/kingfaisal/kinghome.html

THE LAWSON FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, Oct. '99
     Another Canadian philanthropy, the Lawson Foundation's
     programs include: 

     THE BEGINNING YEARS: language and cognitive
     development  in young children (0-4 years) and pre-natal care.

     HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: community-based,
     patient-centered care in three areas -- for cancer, diabetes,
     substance abuse. 

     Two other programs, Special Granting and Grant Advising, are
     not open for general application.
     http://www.lawson.on.ca/index.html

CHARLES A. AND ANNE MORROW LINDBERGH FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, July '96
"Lucky Lindy" left behind a legacy when ardent admirers led by General James Doolittle created this foundation in 1977. Originally established as the Charles A. Lindbergh Fund, the Foundation's mission is to foster a balance between nature and technology. According to the literature, the foundation makes grants to individuals and educational and publication programs. Do a flyby at:
http://www.mtn.org/lindfdtn/

GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, May '95
The George Lucas Educational Foundation is the first "celebrity foundation" the IP has snagged. Though the Foundation doesn't specifically award grants, its web page may interest organizations actively involved with or interested in educational technology. According to the Foundation's mission statement: The George Lucas Educational Foundation, a tax-exempt, charitable organization based in Nicasio, California, was established to facilitate the innovative uses of multimedia technologies to enhance teaching and learning. "Education is one of the most important tools the human race has to ensure its own survival, and creative uses of interactive technologies can have a major impact on education," says Lucas. Multimedia and telecommunications "... expand the sense of wonder we experience as children, and that is the most powerful way to learn."

Foundation-initiated projects emphasize promoting educational technology, information dissemination, and serving as a "force" for intellectual exchange. Consistent with this mission, the Lucas web page includes: the Mission Statement, Edutopia--an electronic newsletter, and contact information.
http://www.glef.org/

LUDWICK FAMILY FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, June '98
Created in 1990, the Ludwick Family Foundation is based in Glendora, California but gives nationally.  Past grantees included nonprofit organizations involved with the arts, environmental education, improving child care, vocational training and other service projects benefiting communities in California and beyond.
http://www.ludwick.org/

LAIRD NORTON ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, Sept. 99
     This special purpose foundation's main focus is conservation
     and forestry education.  Not surprising given that the Laird
     and Norton families have been in the lumber business since
     1850.  The foundation, established in 1940, had assets of
     $4 million in 1998 and currently focuses its philanthropy on
     sustainable forestry.  An average award is about $10,000.
     http://www.lairdnorton.org/


MACARTHUR FOUNDATION (Update)
Internet Prospector,
Surprise, surprise! For those who don't already know, the MacArthur Foundation, which we first wrote about in May '95, has put up a marble green facade on the World Wide Web. Even more pleasing, the Foundation's Hot Links section contains a pointer to the Internet Prospector's Web site maintained by Randy Bunney at the University of Wyoming.
MacArthur Fdn.

JOSIAH MACY, JR. FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, August '98
During the 19th Century, the Macy family amassed its fortune  from whaling, shipping and oil.  The foundation, however,  was established in 1930 by Kate Macy Ladd in memory of her  father Josiah Macy, Jr., who died of yellow fever at the  relatively early age of 38.  Over the years, the foundation  has supported various aspects of medical research,  infrastructure or education.

"Today, the Foundation focuses its support on issues that  challenge the education of health professionals, such as the increasing need for teamwork, the provision of primary care  in the changing environment of health care management and delivery, and the increasing need for diversity of health  care professionals. In addition, some programs address the fundamental shifts in medical and other health professional  education necessitated by the rapid rate of advance in such areas as human genetics."

From the President's Message

For details, visit their Web site which includes:  description of current and ongoing programs, contact  information, board of directors listings, grant guidelines  and President's message.
http://www.josiahmacyfoundation.org/jmacy1.html

JOHN AND MARY R. MARKLE FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, September '96
Communications and life-long learning characterize the philanthropic mission of the private foundation. Established in 1927, the foundation has assets of $140 million in FY '96 and distributes anywhere from $5.5-7 million in awards annually.
http://www.markle.org/

MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, Sept. '98
For researchers in Minnesota, the McKnight Foundation is a must-see destination.  The foundation's programs in the Arts and People & Communities are specific to Minnesota.  In fact, during 1997 the foundation awarded only 16% of its grants to organizations outside the state. See http://www.mckfdn.org/programs.htm for their giving breakdowns and geographical distribution.  For researchers outside Minnesota, look to their research programs in neuroscience and eating disorders (both of which are national) and crop research (international).  As for environment, programs focus on the Mississippi River. You are eligible if you are one of the 10 states bordering Old Man River.  Visit their Web site for more details.
http://www.mckfdn.org/

MEYER MEMORIAL TRUST 
Internet Prospector, January '99
Researchers in Oregon and in Clark County, Washington have a large foundation sitting in their back yard, with assets of $470 million as of March, 1998. The foundation restricts its grantmaking to the above named geographical regions. It offers a general purpose program, small grants and teacher initiatives. "General Purpose Grants program supports projects related to arts and humanities, education, health, social welfare, and a variety of other activities.

"Small Grants program allows the Trust to assist a large number of worthy organizations through support of small projects ­ which range in size from $500 to $12,000 ­ that are of special importance to those applicants and their  communities. 

"Support for Teacher Initiatives is a special grants program that recognizes and supports the initiative and imagination that teachers in Oregon and Clark County, Washington employ to engage students in learning." 
http://www.mmt.org/
 

THE MID ATLANTIC ARTS FOUNDATION
With the Arts so beleaguered these days and funding hard to come by, it's welcome to find an arts foundation on the Net that supports visual to performing arts and also spans such a large geographical area. The Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation serves the following states:

• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Maryland
• New Jersey
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Virginia
• West Virginia

CHARLES STEWART MOTT FOUNDATON
Internet Prospector, May '96
See also the PROSPECTOR's 1998 interview with the Mott Foundation

Here's a first: a major foundation looking for people to test drive their forthcoming website. Sign up for their mailing list and they'll let you know when the site goes online. Program areas include Civil Society, Environment, Poverty, and Flint, Michigan. Visit them at:
http://www.mott.org/

MS FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN
Internet Prospector, August '96
A pioneer in women's rights and equality makes its way onto the World Wide Web. Their mission statement reads:

The Ms. Foundation for Women, a national, multi-issue, public women's fund founded in 1972, supports the efforts of women and girls to govern their own lives and influence the world around them. The Foundation funds and assists women's self-help organizing efforts, and pursues changes in public consciousness, law, philanthropy and social policy. The Ms. Foundation directs resources to break down barriers based on race, class, age, disability, sexual orientation, and culture.

MUTTART FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, Sept. '98
With reputedly some $60 million in assets, the Muttart Foundation is a Canadian philanthropy and gives to organizations in Alberta, Saskatchewan, the western Northwest Territories and Yukon.

"The Foundation invites applications for support of projects or organizations that relate to the three priority areas it has identified:

           Children and Youth
           Aboriginal Education
           A More Effective Charitable Sector

These programs are not mutually exclusive and the Foundation welcomes applications that address more than one issue."

Look at their grant listings to get a sense of the types and range of projects they fund.
http://www.muttart.org/

NEW ENGLAND BIOLABS FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, January '99
Like the Meyer Memorial Trust, the New England Biolabs
Foundation targets its giving to a tight geographic
region--in their case--the Boston/North Shore area for
grants within the US and to a limited list of countries for
its international grants.  The foundation supports
"grassroots" or community organizations and has stated
interests in:
     Marine conservation
     Estuary protection
     Sustainable economic development
     Sustainable organic agriculture
Grants range from $500 to $30,000 with $5,000 stated as the
average grant size.
http://www.nebf.org/

KENNETH T. AND EILEEN L. NORRIS FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, March '99
This Long Beach, California, foundation states an
interest in medicine, education and science, youth,
community and cultural arts.  Geographic focus is
primarily Los Angeles County.
http://ktn.org/

ALICIA PATTERSON FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, February  '99
Alicia Patterson served for 23 years as the editor/publisher
of Newsday.  When she died in 1965, the foundation was
created in her honor and now provides one-year fellowships
of $30,000 to working journalists to conduct independent
projects. Guidelines and applications are available at their
Web site.
http://www.aliciapatterson.org/

THE MINNIE PEARL CANCER FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, March '99
Country music comedienne, Minnie Pearl, was a cancer 
survivor, and the foundation that bears her name supports 
"new programs in cancer research, education and patient and 
family services."  Giving is limited to Tennessee, with a
$25,000 maximum grant.
http://www.minniepearl.org/

PLOUGHSHARES FUND
Internet Prospector, July '97
Beating swords into ploughshares is what this foundation is all about. They dedicate themselves to control the sale of conventional weaponry, preventing the proliferation of  nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction -- among other interesting topics. This site features a grant list and a fascinating resource page that provides links to more than you ever wanted to know about the tools of war.
http://www.ploughshares.org/

RESEARCH CORPORATION
Internet Prospector, February '97
Established in 1912 by Frederick Gardner Cottrell, a philanthropist and inventor, the Research Corporation is one of the oldest "science" foundations around. The Research Corporation supports academic chemistry, physics and astronomy at colleges and universities in the US and Canada. Currently, the Research Corporation administers seven programs, giving science and scholar awards primarily supporting faculty at Ph.D and non-Ph.D granting institutions. Total giving for '95 came in at $4.5 million for 200-300 awards per year.

Visit this venerable institution at:
http://www.rescorp.org/

ROCKEFELLER BROTHERS FUND
Internet Prospector, August '95
This offspring of the Rockefeller philanthropic dynasty was established in 1940 and has awarded about $429,336,235 in grants since then. Assets as of 1994 were $312,386,696 devoted to a variety of causes. According their web literature RBF supports: Sustainable resource use, World Security (being phased out), promoting and sustaining a vital nonprofit sector, both nationally and internationally; strengthening the numbers and quality of teachers in public education in the United States; and improving the quality and accessibility of basic education for children and adults in South Africa. The Fund's New York City program is also currently under review. http://www.rbf.org/rbf/

ROCKEFELLER FAMILY FUND
Internet Prospector, October '96
Well, with the Rockefeller Foundation, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and, now, the Family Fund, you have a philanthropic trio on the World Wide Web. The Rockefeller Family Fund focuses its programming in five areas:

• Citizen Education and Participation - to encourage participation in the electoral process
• Economic Justice For Women - to seek equity for women in the workplace
• Environment - to conserve natural resources
• Institutional Responsiveness - (this hit a dead link.) Self-sufficiency - to help advocacy groups become self-sufficient.
• Annual grant pay out hovers around $1,916,944. In addition, the Rockefeller Family Fund, seems to prefer the independent non- profit organizations. In other words, "grants are rarely made to organizations which traditionally enjoy popular support, such as universities, museums, hospitals, or endowed institutes." So, if you think you meet their profile, visit them at:

ROTARY FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, April '95
The Rotary Club through its foundation provides international humanitarian grants and sponsors international goodwill ambassadors. Ambassador awards are given to university teachers and students or through international exchanges of business and professional people. Areas of interest include polio; health, hunger and humanity; peace. The Rotary has awarded some $700 million since 1930.
http://www.tecc.co.uk/public/PaulHarris/foundation.html

THE FAN FOX & LESLIE R. SAMUELS
     FOUNDATION, INC.
Internet Prospector, Oct. '99
Performing arts and health care characterize the 
     program thrusts of the Fan Fox and Leslie R.
     Samuels Foundation. Grantmaking focuses on NYC.
     For details visit:
     http://www.samuels.org/index.htm 

SEGA FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, June '95
This leader in video games provides a relatively subdued web space so unlike their in-your-face S*E*G*A*!!! t.v. commercials. SEGA supports education and children's health.
http://www.segaoa.com/foundation/foundation.html

ALFRED P. SLOAN
Internet Prospector, March '95
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is one of the oldest, most prestigious foundations in the country and beloved by scientists young and old. Site provides program information, bios on officers and staff, and how to apply for a grant
http://www.sloan.org/

SMITH RICHARDSON FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, January '98
The first paragraph from the President's Letter in the Smith Richardson Foundation's 1996 Annual Report succinctly summarizes the interests of this foundation: "The mission of the Smith Richardson Foundation is to help inform important public policy debates through the support of pragmatic, policy- relevant research, analysis, and writing. The Foundation's grant making is directed through three programs, the International Security and Foreign Policy Program, the Children and Families at Risk Program, and the Governance Program." Their nicely organized Web site provides information about each of these program areas, as well as Guidelines for grant applicants, information about trustees and governors, both 1995 and 1996 Annual Reports and Grant summaries, a FAQ and Guestbook. Of special note, the foundation provides proposal outlines or "templates" under their guideline section. Visit the foundation at
http://www.srf.org/

TURNER FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, August '99
"I see the whole field of environmentalism and population as
nothing more than the survival of the human species." So
says media mogul Ted Turner.  This quote concisely frames
the philanthropic interests of the Atlanta-based Turner
Foundation which in the past has funded grants in:  Energy,
Water/Toxins, Forests/Habitats, and Population. Current
initiatives include:

Devolution: Seizing the high ground in the design of "local control"
Conservation Biology and Ecosystem Protection
Sprawl

WALLACE GLOBAL FUND FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Internet Prospector, October '98
This foundation inherits its name from Henry A. Wallace, a former Secretary of Agriculture and Vice President (1941-45) under Franklin D. Roosevelt. Based in Washington, DC, this foundation's mission is to:

  catalyze and leverage critically needed progress at   national, regional, and global levels toward an equitable   and environmentally sustainable society that ensures an   enhanced quality of life for all.

Program areas include:
        Ecology and Biodiversity
        Economics and the Environment
        Policy and Institutional Reform
        Population, Health and the Environment
        Population and Reproductive Health
        Outreach and Public Education
        Special Initiatives

Read their grant listing for insight into how the foundation articulates its mission.
http://www.wgf.org/
 

WEEDEN FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, July '96
According to its "mission statement," the Weeden Foundation has maintained an interest in ecological matters since 1963---long before many other foundations--corporate, private or federal--got into the act. This warrants some recognition for philanthropic foresight and consistency. Then as now, Weeden retains a keen interest in sustaining biological diversity and concentrates its programming in that area and in population.
http://www.weedenfdn.org/

WELCH FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, April '98
Texas oil-man Robert Alonzo Welch established this foundation to foster the betterment of humanity through chemistry. According to their literature:

"The Welch Foundation, based in Houston, Texas, is one of the nation's oldest and largest private funding sources for basic research. The general policy of The Welch Foundation is to support fundamental chemical research at educational institutions
within the State of Texas."

Their support focuses on grants to strengthen research, departments, training and lectureships for educational institutions. The apparent exception is the Robert A. Welch Award in Chemistry. This prestigious $300,000 award is open to individuals whose chemical research has contributed significantly to the betterment of humankind.

Details on the Robert A. Welch Award in Chemistry and about the foundation in general are available at:
http://www.welch1.org/

WHITAKER FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, June '95
The nation's premier biomedical engineering foundation promotes the improvement of human health and well-being by supporting basic and applied research in engineering, biology, and medicine.
http://fairway.ecn.purdue.edu/bme/whitaker

JOSEPH B. WHITEHEAD FOUNDATION
Internet Prospector, August  '99
This foundation is linked to the Woodruff Foundation for
good reason.  Joseph B. Whitehead was one of the original
bottlers of Coca Cola.  Established as a memorial foundation
in 1937, this philanthropy concentrates its giving on the
metropolitan Atlanta area and supports education, health,
human services, public affairs and environment.
http://www.jbwhitehead.org/