Research Guides

Funding Support for Current Issues

Overview

On this page are foundations with specific foci as identified below. You can find general information here and more details in the documents linked at the bottom of the page. For further assistance, contact Foundation Relations.

Foundation Focus: Public Policy & Civic Engagement

About the Foundation What You Should Know Recent Grants

Rockefeller Brothers Fund 

RBF supports expanding knowledge, nurturing creativity and shaping public policy, with an emphasis on leadership development, strengthening institutions, citizen engagement, community building and partnership development. The Fund maybe be a source for:

  • Civic participation – interventions in community empowerment to promote voting and election reform;
  • Information/technology – Interventions in innovative technology  in organizing methods that expand opportunities for underrepresented communities to influence policy outcomes  

Proposal application
  • Foundation staff members are actively engaged in seeking organizations that receive foundation funding.

Rutgers University, Post-Hurricane Sandy study, $20,000 (2013)

Park Foundation

Park's primary interests are in promoting media awareness and environmental protection.

The Foundation requests that applicants submit: (1) a cover letter that includes a summary of the project and (2) an inquiry cover sheet, and to call or email program staff to help assess fit with the foundation’s program interests. 
  • Most of the grants that have been awarded have been made to intermediary organizations that are focused on national or regional policy efforts.  It will be important for faculty to show how their work will inform policy to promote social change around issues that the foundation cares about.

Traverse City, Flow for Water, protecting the water of the Great Lakes Basin, $40,000 (2015)

Multicultural Resource Center, Ithaca NY, Talking Circles on Race and Racism, $22,500 (2015)
Last Updated: Oct 1, 2025 12:15 PM