Arts, Culture & Humanities

Mission/ Giving Statement: The Ford Foundation is a resource for innovative people and institutions worldwide. Our goals for more than half a century have been to: Strengthen democratic values; Reduce poverty and injustice; promote international cooperation; and Advance human achievement.

Grantmaking Program Areas: Democracy, Rights & Justice Program (Democratic and Accountable Government - Human Rights - Social Justice Philanthropy); Economic Opportunity and Assets Program (Economic Fairness - Metropolitan Opportunity - Sustainable Development); Education, Creativity and Free Expression Program (Educational Opportunity and Scholarship - Freedom of Expression - Sexuality and Reproductive Health and Rights)

Grantmaking Program Area Descriptions:

Democratic and Accountable Government:  Increasing Civic and Political Participation; Strengthening Civil Society; Promoting Electoral Reform and Democratic Participation; Promoting Transparent, Effective and Accountable Government; Reforming Global Financial Governance

Human Rights: Advancing Racial Justice and Minority Rights; Protecting Women's Rights; Protecting Immigrant and Migrant Rights; Reforming Civil and Criminal Justice Systems; Reducing HIV/AIDS Discrimination and Exclusion; Strengthening Human Rights Worldwide; Advancing Economic and Social Rights

Social Justice Philanthropy: Mobilizing Philanthropic Resources for Social Justice

Economic Fairness: Ensuring Good Jobs and Access to Services; Promoting the Next-Generation Workforce Strategies; Building Economic Security Over a Lifetime; Improving Access to Financial Services; Expanding Livelihood Opportunities for Poor Families

Metropolitan Opportunity: Expanding Access to Quality Housing; Promoting Metropolitan Land Use Innovation; Connecting People to Opportunity

Sustainable Development: Expanding Community Rights Over Natural Resources; Climate Change Responses That Strengthen Rural Communities

Educational Opportunity and Scholarship: Transforming Secondary Education; Advancing Higher Education Access and Success; Building Knowledge for Social Justice

Freedom of Expression: Supporting Diverse Arts Spaces; Advancing Public Service Media; Advancing Media Rights and Access; Religion in the Public Sphere

Sexuality and Reproductive Health and Rights: Supporting Sexuality Research; Promoting Reproductive Rights and the Right to Sexual Health; Policies and Programs for Adolexcent Sexual and Reproductive Health; Sexuality and Reproductive Health Education

Type of Funding/ Funding Restrictions: The Foundation does not award undergraduate scholarships or make grants for personal needs or business assistance. Other areas frequently inquired about, but not funded, include: Health care; Vehicle purchase; Student loan repayment; Scientific inventions; After-school programs; Athletic leagues; Orphanages; or Elder care.

Application Instructions: Grant inquiry instructions available online.

Mission/ Giving Statement: Building capacity both in organizations and people in the fields of arts & humanities, education, community affairs, health and human services.

Grantmaking Program Areas: Arts & Humanities; Community Development: Education; Health; Human Services

Application Instructions:  Call the Foundation's office. The foundation prefers to receive phone inquiries.  Do not email.

Notes: Most funding goes to organizations within the Ft. Worth TX area.  New Mexico funding has gone primarily towards the arts, specifically the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, SITE Santa Fe and the Santa Fe Art Institute and funding has decreased in the recent years as the organizations have become more locally sustained. See 990s for other types of programs the Foundation has supported.

The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals and grantees are pre-selected by the Foundation's trustees. 

Mission/ Giving Statement: The purpose of the Brown Foundation, Inc. is to distribute funds for public charitable purposes, principally for support, encouragement and assistance to education, the arts and community service.

Grantmaking Program Areas: Public Education; Arts & Humanities; Civic & Public Affairs; Human Services; Medicine & Science

Grantmaking Program Area Descriptions:

Public Education: The Brown Foundation's current emphasis is in the field of public education at the primary and secondary levels. The Foundation will focus on supporting non-traditional and innovative approaches which are designed to improve public education primarily within the State of Texas.

Art & Humanities: The visual and performing arts remain a principal area of interest.

Civic & Public Affairs: The Foundation supports community service projects which serve the needs of children and families.

Type of Funding/ Funding Restrictions: The Foundation is interested in funding projects which fulfill one or more of the following criteria: Addressing root causes of a concern rather than treating symptoms; Serving as a catalyst to stimulate collaborative efforts by several sectors of the community; Resulting in a growing, long-lasting impact on the situation beyond the value of the grant itself; and Reflecting and encouraging sound financial planning and solid management practices in administration of the project. The Foundation does not expect to support: Grants to religious organizations for religious purposes; Testimonial dinners, fundraising events or marketing events; Candidates for political office or to influence legislation; Other private foundations; or Grants to cover past operating deficits or debt retirements.

Application Instructions: Grant proposal information online. Must submit a Proposal Summary Form, described online.

Notes: 80% of the Foundation's funding goes to organizations in Houston and Texas. New Mexico funding has primarily gone to organizations in Santa Fe County.

Mission/Giving Statement: Build, invest and manage the endowment to enhance the quality of our community through informed strategic grantmaking.

Grantmaking Program Areas: Arts & Culture; Education; Environmental & Historic Preservation; Health; Human Services

Grantmaking Program Area Descriptions:

Arts & Culture: Grants support programs that increase opportunities to participate in, and/or learn about, the arts of diverse cultures with a priority on the low-income and/or at-risk children and youth populations

Education: Grants support programs for early childhood and adult learning experiences including literacy, parental involvement programs and vocational/career training

Environmental & Historic Preservation: Grants support the preservation of historic resources, conservation of natural land and wildlife and education programs with an  emphasis on K-12 education programs and/or projects with strong community involvement

Health: Grants support access to quality health care (including mental health) for uninsured, underinsured and medically underserved adults and children

Human Services: Grants support programs assisting vulnerable populations including at-risk children/youth; aid for people in transition or who are homeless to become self-sufficient; and nurture families

Types of Funding/Funding Restrictions: Grants are made to support, strengthen, and sustain an organization’s programs that address the needs of our community with an emphasis on underserved and at-risk populations. 

Application Instructions Grant application guidelines online.