The Rockefeller Foundation Funding Initiatives

To achieve the goal of the well-being of humanity through smart globalisation, The Rockefeller Foundation funds a portfolio of initiatives that "link and interlink to achieve meaningful and measurable impact. All our initiatives draw on the Foundation’s commitment to nurture innovation, pioneer new fields, expand access to and distribution of resources, empower beneficiaries to cultivate and spread progress in their countries, and, ultimately, generate sustainable impact on individuals, institutions, and communities."

The only way in which the Foundation receives unsolicited funding inquiries is through the online inquiry process. They ask that applicants not send proposals or letters of inquiry by mail or email unless requested to do so by a Foundation staff member. If an inquiry is related to a conference or The Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center, please use the Bellagio application process.

From The Rockefeller Foundation website:

1) "Incoming requests must clearly fit within the Foundation's funding strategy.

2) The Foundation is currently funding a portfolio of work structured around five core issue areas and focused on specific initiative strategies. To be successful, any funding inquiries must fit within both our core issue areas and one or more of its initiatives. To help you determine whether the Foundation would be a potential partner for your work, please read more about the funding strategy. Please also note the box to the right detailing certain areas expressly not funded by the
foundation.

3) Accordingly, there are three factors the Foundation takes into consideration when evaluating a project.
    a) Does your project fit within one of the Foundation's initiatives? Your project should commit to nurturing innovation, pioneering new fields, expanding access to and distribution of resources, and, ultimately, generating sustainable impact on individuals, institutions, and communities within the context of our active initiatives. Learn about current initiatives.
    b) Does your request clearly address one or more of our core issue areas? Our interconnected issue areas are selected because they are critical global challenges that the Foundation is distinctively positioned to address. Learn about our issue areas.
    c) Does your work affect people in one or more of the geographic areas in which the Foundation works? The Foundation works in regions where we can leverage our assets, experience, and expertise to help realize smart globalization. See where the Foundation works. If you feel your work relates to our funding strategy and you have met the criteria described above, please submit your inquiry through our online portal."