Foundations Funding
Some of the largest foundations with interests in the social sciences are described below (listed in order of asset size). For a longer list, consult the Foundation centers “Top 100 U.S. Foundations by Asset Size.”
U.S. Foundations
- The Ford Foundation is a resource for innovative people and institutions worldwide. Its goals are to: strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement.
- The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is the nation’s largest philanthropic organization devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans. RWJF prioritizes its program work into four goal areas: to assure that all Americans have access to quality health care at reasonable cost; to improve the quality of care and support for people with chronic health conditions; to promote healthy communities and lifestyles; and to reduce the personal, social and economic harm caused by substance abuse—tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs.
- The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is dedicated to helping groups and individuals foster lasting improvement in the human condition. Areas of interest are human and community development and global security and sustainability. It also administers the MacArthur Fellows Program.
- Carnegie Corporation of New York promotes "the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding." Current programs are Education, International Peace and Security, International Development, and Strengthening U.S. Democracy.
- The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation focuses its grant making and operations on two areas: advancing entrepreneurship and improving the education of children and youth.
- The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation programs and interests generally fall into the following areas: Science and Technology, Standard of Living and Economic Performance, Education and Careers in Science and Technology
California Foundations
- William and Flora Hewlett Foundation makes grants in the following program areas: Education, Environment, Global Development, Performing Arts, Philanthropy, and Population.
- David and Lucile Packard Foundation focuses the majority of its grants in three program areas: Conservation and Science, Population, and Children, Families, and Communities.
- The California Endowment focuses on three program areas: Access to Health, Culturally Competent Health Systems, and Community Health and the Elimination of Health disparities.
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