Grants for Higher Education

3M FOUNDATION

Focusing mainly on STEM, 3M supports organizations and schools that increase student achievement in STEM, attract and retain postsecondary students, and promote equity and education in all communities. 

ADTALEM GLOBAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Adtalem’s higher education grantmaking works to increase access to higher education for underserved populations, and strengthen the transition from high school to college.

AEGON TRANSAMERICA FOUNDATION

Giving works to create educational opportunities and promote financial literacy in areas where Aegon maintains a corporate presence.

ALL WITHIN MY HANDS

The Metallica Scholars program focuses on supporting vocational, technical and applied learning programs at community colleges in the U.S.

ALWALEED PHILANTHROPIES

Alwaleed’s Bringing Cultures Together focus area promotes “intercultural and interfaith dialogue and understanding through academia and creative learning.”

AMB FOUNDATION

AMB prefers a broad approach to its education giving, although it has supported Indigenous education initiatives in the past.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN

This funder makes grants to women academics and supports women and girls through activism and empowerment.

AMERICAN FEDERATION FOR AGING RESEARCH

In addition to grants for faculty-level researchers, AFAR also offers scholarship and fellowship opportunities for medical students and graduate students in aging research.

AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION

AMA’s higher education grantmaking offers modest tuition assistance to students approaching their final year of medical school.

AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL FOUNDATION

APF offers scholarships for students of psychology, neuropsychology, child psychology, behavioral psychology, pyschopharmacology and public policy.

AMETEK FOUNDATION

The foundation’s higher education grantmaking emphasizes STEM education and established universities.

FRED C. AND KATHERINE B. ANDERSEN FOUNDATION

The Andersen Foundation funds higher education institutions across the United States.

PAUL M. ANGELL FOUNDATION

This funder prioritizes “college access, persistence, and graduation” for 2- and 4-year institutions, as well as “exploration of career interests/pathways.”

ANNENBERG FOUNDATION

This funder bankrolled the Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism at USC and University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School for Communication. Communications education is a clear priority.

ARGOSY FOUNDATION

This funder supports programs “within schools and higher education institutions, themselves, as well as independent, 501 (c)3 organizations that advocate for education improvement locally and nationally.”

ARNOLD VENTURES

Higher education grants work to support “policies that promote value and quality in higher education.”

AURORA HUMANITARIAN INITIATIVE

The Aurora Grants support educational initiatives, and work to preserve and promote Armenian heritage and history.

SIDLEY AUSTIN FOUNDATION

The Sidley Austin Foundation makes unrestricted grants to large public and private universities.

BAIRD FOUNDATION

This funder does not name priorities for its higher education giving. A significant portion of its grantmaking serves the Milwaukee area in Wisconsin.

BELFER FAMILY FOUNDATION

In addition to the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School, the Belfers give to higher education outfits with which family members have a personal connection.

BNSF RAILWAY FOUNDATION

Grantmaking aims to improve the quality of education at public and private colleges and universities. It is a major supporter of Christian colleges and religious schools in its giving areas.

WILLIAM K. BOWES, JR. FOUNDATION

This funder does not provide detailed information on its grantmaking priorities, it has a stated interest in “access to college” and “higher education.”

BRADLEY FOUNDATION

This conservative funder invests in higher education through its Free Markets, Civil Society and Informed Citizens initiatives.

BROAD FOUNDATION

The Broad Foundation does not have a higher ed grantmaking program, but it does support colleges and universities across the U.S. each year.

BROWN FOUNDATION

The Brown Foundation does not name particular higher education grantmaking strategies. About 80% of its giving stays in Texas.

SUSAN THOMPSON BUFFETT FOUNDATION

This foundation funds scholarships for college students from Nebraska and grants to colleges and universities across the U.S.

CAPITAL GROUPS COMPANIES CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Capital does not outline priorities for its education grantmaking, but tax filings suggest that it supports public and private colleges and universities in the U.S.

CARNEGIE CORPORATION OF NEW YORK

Higher ed grants support teacher education and educational research that works toward “more effective models of learning for diverse learners. Carnegie also works to “strengthen Africa’s higher education sector.”

CATERPILLAR FOUNDATION

Caterpillar prioritizes STEM education through its Workforce Development focus area, which seeks to expand “access to STEM education in under-served communities in the US and around the world.”

CELANESE FOUNDATION

The Celanese Foundation supports higher education institutions in Texas around the country.

CENTER FOR ARAB AMERICAN PHILANTHROPY

CAAP offers a series of Scholarships for the community.

CHANEL FOUNDATION

Chanel’s Education and Training program provides “access to education and vocational training,” with an emphasis on women’s economic empowerment.

CHINO CIENEGA FOUNDATION

Most of this funder’s education grants go to higher education and international organizations working to secure equal opportunity in education.

COCA-COLA

Most of the Coca-Cola Foundation’s support for higher education is in the form of scholarship programs, including numerous first-generation, minority and women’s scholarship programs.

JACK KENT COOKE FOUNDATION

The Cooke Foundation focuses on funding programs that support and expand education opportunities throughout the U.S.

COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS

The Council on Foreign Relations offers fellowships that align with the organization’s foreign policy interests.

WALLACE H. COULTER FOUNDATION

Coulter tends to award higher education grants to large-scale partners with strong departments in biomedical engineering.

DALIO FOUNDATION

This funder does not outline specific goals for higher education funding, but tax filings suggest a strong commitment to teacher education, clinical psychology, technology programs and marine science.

DANPAUL FOUNDATION

DanPaul broadly awards need-based academic scholarships for post-secondary education. 

HILDA AND PRESTON DAVIS FOUNDATION

Tax filings suggest that this funder prioritizes science programs and religious education.

ARTHUR VINING DAVIS FOUNDATIONS

This funder gives grants to private liberal arts and science colleges. Areas of interest include leadership development, diversity and inclusion, institution-based sustainability initiatives and student-faculty research collaborations.

LEONARD AND SOPHIE DAVIS FUND

While the Davises supported their alma mater, City College, during their lives, higher education funding has recently shifted West.

SHELBY CULLOM DAVIS CHARITABLE FUND

This funder appears to prioritize environmental research and scholarships for rural and first-generation college students.

DE BEAUMONT FOUNDATION

Most recipients here tend to be larger, public universities, especially those with a vibrant public health program.

DELOITTE FOUNDATION

Deloitte funds scholarships, fellowships and awards mainly in the field of accounting education.

DOMINION FOUNDATION

Higher education grants support a range of engineering, science and vocational programs at colleges and universities in geogrpahic areas of priority.

DONLEY FOUNDATION

Grants support colleges and universities, vocational education programs and programs that help adults gain access to higher education.

WILLIAM H. DONNER FOUNDATION

Donner tends to give to prestigious universities and has endowed chairs in science departments at Harvard, Yale, Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania.

DORSEY & WHITNEY FOUNDATION

Dorsey & Whitney’s higher education grants tend to support large public and private universities.

CAMILLE AND HENRY DREYFUS FOUNDATION

Dreyfus’s higher education funding works to support learning and research at chemical science and engineering programs at colleges and universities in the U.S.

DRUCKENMILLER FOUNDATION

Druckenmiller has supported institutions with which family members have a personal connection.

DUKE ENDOWMENT

Grantmaking emphasizes the enhancement of academic excellence, programs that improve access and success and programs that support campus and community engagement.

JESSIE BALL DUPONT FOUNDATION

Eligibility from the duPont Foundation is limited to organizations (including 42 liberal arts colleges) that received funding from Jessie Ball duPont during her lifetime.

DORIS DUKE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

This foundation does not name higher education as an initiative, but colleges and universities receive support through the foundation’s medical research, performing arts and child well-being funding programs.

ECMC FOUNDATION

ECMC’s college success program seeks to “increase the number of students from historically and presently underserved backgrounds who persist through and graduate from an institution of higher education with a bachelor’s degree.”

EINHORN COLLABORATIVE

Einhorn’s Bridging initiative focuses “on providing adolescents with experiences to develop lifelong skills of perspective-taking and bridge-building.”

EMERSON CHARITABLE TRUST

Focusing on STEM, the trust’s education program aims to develop and train “future generations through schools, universities and related programs.”

ENTERGY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Entergy’s education and workforce development program aims to provide a high quality education to students and prepare individuals for the jobs of the future.

SHERMAN FAIRCHILD FOUNDATION

According to its recent tax filings, higher education is the Sherman Fairchild Foundation’s largest area of giving, with grants supporting a broad range of public and private colleges and universities across the U.S.

FORD FOUNDATION

Ford supports higher education across all areas of grantmaking, with many grants providing research funding to universities.

CHARLES A. FRUEAUFF FOUNDATION

CAFF’s Education program supports higher education through grants to private four-year colleges and universities to fund general operations, special projects, and scholarships. It also gives for technology and software updates, as well as infrastructure assistance.

GATES FOUNDATION

Gates’s Post-Secondary Success giving area aims to “dramatically improve student outcomes and ensure that race, ethnicity, and income are not predictors of postsecondary success.” Gates supports higher education locally in the state of Washington.

GE FOUNDATION

The GE Foundation’s higher education grantmaking stems from its Workforce Diversity initiative and focuses on initiatives in the state of Massachusetts.

GENERAL MILLS FOUNDATION

While General Mills doesn’t have a higher ed program, it gives regularly to this focus area, especially in Minnesota.

GEORGE FAMILY FOUNDATION

A significant portion of George’s funding goes to institutions of higher education via its leadership, spirituality and youth funding initiatives.

GEORGIA-PACIFIC FOUNDATION

Higher education funding tends to go to large public universities in areas where Georgia Pacific operates.

GETTY FOUNDATION

While institutions of higher education and university-based museums receive grants through Getty’s visual arts funding program, Getty also supports higher education and humanities research through its internship and fellowship programs.

ROSALINDE AND ARTHUR GILBERT FOUNDATION

Gilbert’s college access program names postsecondary success and the “elimination of systematic barriers” to college completion as areas of priority. SoCal is this funder’s top giving area.

GLENN FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH

A significant portion of the Glenn Foundation’s research funding is directed at elite medical research universities.

GOLDMAN SACHS FOUNDATION

Goldman gives to higher ed through its 10,000 Small Businesses and 10,000 Women programs, both designed to provide access and training to budding entrepreneurs. Goldman also provides need-based higher ed scholarship grants.

HORACE W. GOLDSMITH FOUNDATION

Goldsmith broadly gives to a mix of private and public universities and colleges.

GRAINGER

Higher education is Grainger’s largest area of funding and focuses on vocational and technical education programs.

LAUREN CATUZZI GRANDCOLAS FOUNDATION

The Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas Foundation’s higher education grants typically focus on women’s scholarships.  

GRANTHAM FOUNDATION

Grantham’s research initiatives supports universities in the U.S. and the U.K.

GREEN FAMILY FOUNDATION

The main recipient of funding for the past several years has been Florida International University, where the foundation has supported a broad array of initiatives and programs.

GROVE FOUNDATION

This funder supports higher educational nationally, but City College of New York receives ongoing support and is home to the Grove School of Engineering.

EVELYN AND WALTER HAAS, JR. FUND

Haas’s College Success program aims to “level the playing field in higher education” in California by supporting college access and affordability for low- and middle-income families and students of color.

HASBRO CHILDREN’S FUND

Tax filings indicate a commitment to supporting a broad range of public and private colleges and universities in the U.S.

HASTINGS FUND

The Hastings Fund focuses exclusively on education and prioritizes quality education for underprivileged and minority students. It also gives to HBCUs.

HEARST FOUNDATIONS

Hearst’s education grantmaking supports “educational institutions demonstrating uncommon success in preparing students to thrive in a global society.” A majority of its grants go go to institutions of higher education.

HECKSCHER FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN

The Heckscher Scholars Program offers New York City’s public school students “college access and career readiness programming.”

HELIOS EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Helios supports Florida- and Arizona-based initiatives that aim to increase enrollment in and completion of two- and four-year college degree programs.

HEWLETT FOUNDATION

Hewlett supports higher education through its education, the environment, performing arts, U.S. democracy and San Francisco Bay Area programs.

ARMIN AND ESTHER HIRSCH FOUNDATION

Education grants appear to prioritize public and private colleges and universities in the Midwest.

WILLIAM H. HURT FOUNDATION

Tax filings suggest that the majority of this funder’s grants support larger universities and organizations operating in California.

HUTCHINS FAMILY FOUNDATION

Higher education grantmaking aims to “revitalize undergraduate residential life and learning.” Hutchins sponsored renovations of undergraduate housing facilities and launched the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard.

HENRY M. JACKSON FOUNDATION

This funder’s Human Rights andInternational Affairs Education program “seeks to advance human rights and international affairs education, with special emphasis on Russia and China.”

LEBRON JAMES FAMILY FOUNDATION

This fouondation supports K-12 and higher education in James’s hometown of Akron, Ohio. A signature program provides scholarships, mentoring and other supports to at-risk students.

JEWISH COMMUNAL FUND

This fund supports a broad range of religious and non-religious colleges and universities in the U.S. and Israel.

JPMORGAN CHASE

A subprogram of the Jobs and Skills program provides academic support, college counseling and mentoring young men of color.

KATE SPADE AND COMPANY FOUNDATION

Kate Spade supports higher education for women across each of its focus areas.

EWING MARION KAUFFMAN FOUNDATION

Kauffman’s education program focuses on the greater Kansas City area and promotes learning that is equitable and that will “lead to economically viable careers.”

ANNA-MARIA AND STEPHEN KELLEN FOUNDATION

The Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation awards grants to higher education institutions located across the country; however, it prioritizes those located on the East Coast.

J.C. KELLOGG FOUNDATION

This foundation broadly funds higher education. Little is known about its specific funding initiatives.

KLINGENSTEIN THIRD GENERATION FOUNDATION

In addition to fellowships for researchers, KTGF offers Medical Student Fellowships to introduce students interested in pursuing a career in youth psychiatry to principles of “children’s mental health research, treatment and advocacy.”

KMPG FOUNDATION

KPMG’s Education initiative focuses promoting diversity in higher education, including grants for the purpose of starting or supporting existing diversity programs.

KNIGHT FOUNDATION

This funder supports higher education mainly through its Journalism and Arts initiatives. Grantmaking prioritizes 26 cities throughout the U.S. where Knight owned newspapers.

ROBERT P. AND ARLENE R. KOGOD FAMILY FOUNDATION

In addition to its funding for Jewish education, the Kogod Foundation regularly supports a broad range of secular schools and programs, including the the Robert and Arlene Kogod Professorship in Mood Disorders at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

KOHLBERG FOUNDATION

Kohlberg prefers a broad approach toward its higher education investments; it supports public and private colleges and universities of every size across the U.S.

KRESGE FOUNDATION

Kresge’s Education Program focuses on helping first-generation, low-income students enroll in college and complete their degrees from two- and four-year institutions.

CHARLES LAFITTE FOUNDATION

This foundation’s main higher education recipient is Duke University.

LEAR FAMILY FOUNDATION

This foundation does not make many grants for higher education; a select few grantees have received ongoing support over the past several years.

PATRICK P. LEE FOUNDATION

This foundation’s higher education funding aims to reduce the burden of college costs on students from middle-income households; scholarships support students studying and preparing for careers in the fields of engineering, technology or psychology.

LEFKOFSKY FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Lefkofsky Foundation does not name specific goals for its higher education funding. Ongoing support goes to the University of Michigan

PHILIP AND JANICE LEVIN FOUNDATION

This foundation’s main recipient is Rutgers, but other colleges and universities have received funding as well.

LIBERTY MUTUAL FOUNDATION

Higher education funding focuses on programs that help first-generation and underrepresented students succeed academically and complete college degrees.

LILLY ENDOWMENT

Lilly supports higher education through its education and religion programs. The education initiative prioritizes the state of Indiana and minority students across the U.S.

LILLY FOUNDATION

The Lilly Foundation does not name higher education as a grantmaking area of interest, but several colleges and universities have received funding in recent years, including the Universtiy of Indiana, its main education recipient.

LUMINA FOUNDATION

Lumina aims to increase the number of Americans who achieve professional credentials, associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees

MACARTHUR FOUNDATION

MacArthur does not operate a higher-education program, but does award grants to colleges and universities through its major programs.

ANDREW W. MELLON FOUNDATION

Mellon’s Higher Learning initiative supports higher education with an emphasis on “advanced humanistic inquiry and social justice.” It also runs highly competitive fellowship programs in the arts and humanities.

AMBROSE MONELL FOUNDATION

Higher education giving focuses on schools with strong medical education programs.

MORGAN STANLEY FOUNDATION

Grantmaking for higher education includes the Morgan Stanley HBCU Scholars program, which was created to support scholarships at Historically Black Colleges and Universities,

CHARLES STEWART MOTT FOUNDATION

Mott supports a range of initiatives to support students from low- and middle-income families.

NATIONWIDE FOUNDATION

The Nationwide Foundation awards grants to higher education institutions located within and around its geographic priority region.  

YOUNES & SORAYA NAZARIAN FAMILY FOUNDATION

Tax records indicate that colleges, universities and other types of higher education organizations receive the lion’s share of support here.

NEXT GENERATION LEARNING CHALLENGES

While higher education institutions are not the foundation’s main priority, colleges and universities may seek funding for educational research, curriculum development and teacher development.

HENRY E. NILES FOUNDATION

Education grantmaking broadly supports opportunities for “motivated individuals who are unable to obtain the benefits of quality education without assistance.”

JANE AND DANIEL OCH FAMILY FOUNDATION

This funder supports initiatives that bear the Och name at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan.

OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATIONS

Grantmaking for institutions of higher education focuses on creating educational opportunities for underrepresented groups and academic integrity, including scholarship and fellowship programs.

ORGANIZATION FOR AUTISM RESEARCH

OAR supports autistic students pursuing postsecondary education via its postsecondary scholarships.

BERNARD OSHER FOUNDATION

Osher funds scholarship and fellowship programs at over 100 colleges and universities. Many of these aim to provide support to “reentry” students between the ages of 25 and 50 whose education has been interrupted.

PANDA CARES

Giving for higher education is conducted mainly through the Panda Cares Scholars Program, which provides scholarships to high performing students involved in campus leadership and/or community service.

PERELMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION

A significant portion of the Perelman Family Foundation’s grantmaking supports education, with the largest grants supporting programs at elite, private universities.

PERSHING SQUARE FOUNDATION

Grants have supported a variety of colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad, but U.S. funding prioritizes the New York area.

PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS

While many universities receive support across several of Pew’s giving areas, the trusts’ Student Loans program oversees research on loan default and student borrower success.

T. ROWE PRICE FOUNDATION

Higher education grantmaking focuses on the personal development and academic success of college students “through multi-faceted, multi-year programs.”

TINA & STEVE PRICE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

In addition to its giving for Jewish education, Price supports higher education in New York.

MARTIN R. PRINCE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Higher education is this funder’s largest area of giving, with universities, medical schools and health-related career development programs receiving support.

RAIKES FOUNDATION

Raikes invests in Post-Secondary Student Success, focusing on first-generation college students, students of color and “public, broad-access institutions.” The foundation works in the state of Washington and across the U.S.

RESNICK FOUNDATION

This funder’s grants for higher education concentrate in California and sometimes intersect with sustainability and conservation research.

ROBBINS FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Robbins Family Foundation’s giving for higher education mainly supports teacher education programs.

ROSENKRANZ FOUNDATION

The foundation’s higher education grantmaking supports several education initiatives, primarily at Yale University, the founder’s alma mater.

SC JOHNSON GIVING

This funder’s education program, A World With More Opportunity, articulates a commitment to STEM education, but granting appears to broad and focused mainly on higher education.

VAN SLOUN FOUNDATION

The Van Sloun Foundation supports public and private colleges and universities across teh U.S.

GEORGE SNOW SCHOLARSHIP FUND

The George Snow Scholarship Fund awards over $1 million in scholarships for undergraduate study to students in Southern Florida each year.

W. EUGENE SMITH FUND

The W. Eugene Smith Student Grant is a $5,000 open to college student photographers and photojournalists.

STARR FOUNDATION

Education grantmaking consists mainly of college scholarships for “deserving students” at 100 pre-selected colleges and universities in the U.S.

JUDY AND MICHAEL STEINHARDT FOUNDATION

The Steinhardt Foundation supports institutions of higher learning that have a personal connection to the family, including New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development.

LAZLO N. TAUBER FOUNDATION

The Tauber Family Foundation does not name higher ed as a grantmaking area of interest, but taxes reveal support for several universities in the U.S. and Israel.

TAWANI FOUNDATION

In higher education, this foundation aims to support institutions that provide high quality learning in a broad range of disciplines.

TEAGLE FOUNDATION

The Teagle Foundation aims to strengthen the role of humanities courses in higher education and college readiness. 

TERRA FOUNDATION FOR AMERICAN ART

This funder makes grants to colleges and universities to support the study of American art history.

TEXTRON CHARITABLE TRUST

Textron supports higher education via its Workforce Development and Education initiative, prioritizing programs that prepare students for careers in technology, manufacturing and engineering.

TINKER FOUNDATION

This funder supports Latin American Studies programs at U.S. research universities. 

TOMKAT FOUNDATION

This climate change and clean energy funder supports related programs at U.S. universities.

TOSA FOUNDATION

The Tosa Foundation does not outline specific goals for its higher education funding, but taxes reveal funding for a range of public and private colleges and universities. The University of Wisconsin receives ongoing support.

TOW FOUNDATION

The Tow Foundation’s higher education funding aims to “advance the pursuit of knowledge and produce the next generation of scholars and leaders.”

T. ROWE PRICE FOUNDATION

Higher education grantmaking overlaps with its work in the areas of medicine and criminal justice reform, supporting professorships in these areas.

UPS FOUNDATION

Higher education giving stems from this funder’s equity and inclusion program, which seeks “to empower everyone to bring their authentic selves to work and inspire the inclusion of diverse people, thoughts and perspectives.”

VERIZON FOUNDATION

Verizon’s giving includes grants for technology and teacher education programs at public and private colleges and universities across the U.S.

WALMART

Higher education is not one of Walmart’s stated giving priorities, but the foundation supports a range of public and private colleges and universities.

WALTON FAMILY FOUNDATION

While higher education is not a stated initiative of this funder, grants stemming from its K-12 education and home region programs have supported research and higher education programs.

ELIE WIESEL FOUNDATION FOR HUMANITY

The foundation’s education grantmaking is broadly focused on “programs connected to moral values grounded in Jewish education.” It also runs an annual essay contest for college students.

WYSS FOUNDATION

Wyss’s discovery grantmaking also supports a broad range of scholarships and fellowships in diverse disciplines at colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad.