CrossCurrents Foundation
OVERVIEW: The CrossCurrents Foundation supports progressive policy, environmental conservation, and arts and culture throughout the United States.
IP TAKE: This is a low-key progressive funder that does not maintain a website and does not accept unsolicited requests for funding. It keeps its cards close, but appears to have an inclusive strategy reflected in its grantees. Despite it’s progressive outlook, it lacks transparency which bars information about how to secure a grant here, as well as information about it’s strategies. Call them, however, to learn about their evolving grantmaking approach.
PROFILE: The CrossCurrents Foundation, established in 2006, is the private charitable organization of Democratic political consultant Ken Grossinger, who is a partner at Democracy Alliance and serves on the board of several progressive nonprofits, such as Alliance for Justice, D.C. Housing Authority, and TYPE Media. While the foundation does not have a website or stated mission, tax filings show that it conducts grantmaking related to the arts, environment, and progressive policy.
Grants for Democracy and Civic Engagement
CrossCurrents Foundation’s grantmaking in the realm of democracy and civic engagement takes the form of support for the organizations that Grossinger and his wife serve on the boards of, as well as various liberal think tanks, policy outfits, advocacy groups, and other non-profits. Past grantees include Demos, People’s Action Institute, League of Conservation Voters, Voter Participation Center, Movement Strategy Center, and Progressive Change Institute.
Grants for Arts and Culture
CrossCurrents’ funding for arts and culture covers the gamut from arts organizations and museums to film and arts festivals. Grossinger has a special interest in film and documentary and has served as Co-Executive Producer of the 2018 Netflix documentary Bleeding Edge, about the medical device industry, and is the Executive Producer of the film Borderlands, which is about immigrant rights in the Southwest. He also serves on the boards of the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Skylight Pictures. Past grantees in this space include National Performance Network & Visual Artists Network, Skylight Engagement, and Telluride Council for the Arts and Humanities.
Grants for the Environmental Conservation and Climate Change
While the foundation’s giving for environmental issues is not as robust as in other areas, CrossCurrent has made grants totaling almost a quarter million in recent years to conservation and climate change organizations. Past grantees include Environmental Grantmakers Association, Global Witness Foundation, League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, Inc., and Center for Health, Environment and Justice.
Important Grant Details:
Grants generally range from $5,000 to $75,000. The CrossCurrents Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funding.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
CONTACT:
CrossCurrents Foundation, Inc.
3220 N. Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20007-2829
(202) 333-8521